Navaho Pass — Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

Things to consider: 1. There is a toilet facility at the trailhead 2. You will need a Forest Service or Interagency pass(expo-golden age). If you don't have one, a self service $5 fee can be paid at the trailhead 3. As of now, there is still water at the lower end of the wide open area just below Navajo Pass. 4. There are still flowers near the summit-phlox, lupine, paintbrush. 5. The Ingalls Cr drainage is closed for fire control so through hikes to the Ingalls Cr trailhead will have to be postponed. 6. This hike is approximately 14 miles with 4100' of gain, about a quarter of the gain comes during the scramble to the Navajo summit. Directions: Follow the Teanaway Road to the intersection with the Stafford Creek road and turn right onto Stafford Cr rd. Drive past the Standup Cr road which leads off to the left and at about 2 1/2 miles come to the Stafford Cr trailhead. There is parking, and as noted above, restroom facilities. Display your permit and start hiking. In spite of a discouraging weather forecast, three intrepid Cascadians started up trail 1359. At 4.8 miles, come to the intersection with Standup Cr trail 1369. Stay to the right and remain of 1359. Just prior to Navajo Pass the trail transits a fascinating area of open ground. Hike through this and at the upper limits turn to your right to Navajo Pass. Three trails are evident at the pass: 1. 1226.1 which is an unmaintained hikers trail leading Hardscrabble Cr trail 1218. The trail then leads to Fourth Cr and Beverly Cr trails. 2. Cascade Cr trail which heads down to the Ingalls Cr trail. 3. County Line trail 1226. Head east on 1226 for just a few yards then trend left and begin the scramble up the hikers trail to the summit of Navajo Peak. This scramble is worth the effort! Once on the summit, enjoy the spectacular view of the Ingalls Cr dainage, Mt Stuart and the backside of the Enchantments, the Brothers to the east, Earl Pk, Iron Pk, and much much more. We did not encounter another person on this weekday hike and had the view all to ourselves. We spent over half an hour on the summit just enjoying this beautiful area.