Naches Peak Loop Trailhead — Attraction in Enumclaw

Naches Park Loop Trail is a scenic hiking trail located in the Naches area of Washington state, near the town of Yakima. Here's a description of the trail, including geographic elements, wildlife, historical information, and flora:

Geographic Elements: Location: Naches Park Loop Trail is situated in the Cascade Range of Washington state, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Terrain: The trail features a mix of forested areas, meadows, and rocky terrain. It provides hikers with a diverse and picturesque landscape to explore. Length: The trail is approximately 3.5 miles long, making it a moderately challenging hike.

Wildlife: The area around Naches Park Loop Trail is rich in wildlife. Hikers may encounter various bird species, including eagles, hawks, and songbirds. Mammals such as deer, elk, and squirrels are common in the region, and lucky hikers might spot them along the trail. The Naches River, which the trail follows for part of its route, is known for its trout and salmon populations, attracting anglers and providing a habitat for aquatic wildlife.

Historical Information: While the trail itself may not have significant historical landmarks, the region has a rich history tied to Native American tribes and early European settlers. The Naches area was used by Native American tribes for hunting and gathering long before European settlers arrived. Explorers and pioneers passed through the area during the westward expansion, leaving a historical imprint on the region.

Flora: The trail passes through diverse vegetation, including coniferous forests dominated by pine and fir trees. Wildflowers are abundant during the spring and summer months, painting the meadows with colors like lupines, Indian paintbrush, and columbines. In higher elevations, hikers may encounter alpine meadows with a unique assortment of wildflowers adapted to the harsher conditions.

Additionally, Naches Park Loop Trail also offers a spectacular view of Mount Rainier, one of the most iconic and prominent peaks in the Cascade Range. This majestic mountain, with its permanent snowcap and glacier-covered slopes, stands as a breathtaking backdrop to the trail. Hikers can enjoy stunning vistas of Mount Rainier as they traverse the trail, especially during clear days when the mountain is visible in all its glory.

The sight of Mount Rainier against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape, with its lush forests and the Naches River winding through the valley, adds to the trail's scenic appeal. It's a picture-perfect moment that captures the natural beauty and grandeur of the Pacific Northwest region, making Naches Park Loop Trail a must-visit for those seeking both outdoor adventure and awe-inspiring views.

Naches Park Loop Trail offers a great opportunity for nature enthusiasts and hikers to explore the natural beauty of the Cascade Range while also experiencing the local wildlife and flora. As trail conditions and the presence of wildlife can vary, it's always a good idea to check with local authorities or trail guides for the most up-to-date information before embarking...

Did this hike yesterday, October 16th, 2022. Fairly easy hike for everyone. Included some uphill spots that will get your heart rate up but most of it was simple walking. LOTS of dust on the trail and no bugs to speak of. The fall foliage is everywhere in reds and oranges.

We went on a Sunday and arrived about 2 pm, due to us having to pack up camp in the local area and then had to make a long drive to get there. PEOPLE AND CARS WERE EVERYWHERE!!! Most of them were your typical clueless out of towners who were totally out of their element and most of THEM were asian. Not that that's a bad thing, its was just interesting. And lots of them had dogs, which is stated on several signs as well as online, "dogs are not allowed." Apparently this doesnt apply to some people. All parking areas were full, as well as the side of hwy 410, on both sides, for as far as one could see. Lots of people criss crossing the hwy, forgetting that in fact, it is a hwy, where large steel vehicles go by at an alarming rate. We got lucky and squeezed into a small spot that was barely able to fit my vehicle.

On the trail it was non stop people and dogs. Literally. A stream of people coming from both directions. Again, most had ZERO trail etiquette. Lots of screaming kids and lots of people who appeared to be big city folks who held jobs in the high tech field who want to claim to be part of the outdoor movement. Saw one guy wearing what appeared to be brand new 300 dollar white Nike's smelling of the latest 200 dollar high fashion cologne! There was also some guy with music blaring from his backpack and smoking a cigarette as if he was just the most badass person on the planet. We waited several minutes after he passed to allow his stench to eventually leave the trail.

The hike itself is just a bit difficult in places and very easy in most spots. Some decent uphill stretches get your blood pumping, but most of it was easy walking. We went clockwise, which most claim is the better way to go. It would have been had there not been a blanket of thick smoke in the air that TOTALLY blocked any view we might have had of Mt. Rainier. Lots of other great open views to take in though.

All in all i'd say show up at 7 am on a tuesday morning when the crowd of clueless out of towners wont be there. If you show up on a Sunday at 2pm you'll probably...

The best part is the enchanted pond at the top of the peak, which is misted and moody and full of fantasy-inspired wildflowers, and straight out of a druidic midsommar in the Alps. However take caution, this is really not an easy trail, more like an intermediate trail for healthy adults. For my experience I'd give the trail 4/5, but my review reflects 3/5 due to avoidable safety hazards experienced by my parents. There really needs to be better safety on the trail. At several points near the peak, where the loop trail runs into and becomes the Pacific Crest Trail, there are no protections, rails, or barriers AT ALL down to the cliffs below, and there's zero warning about being prepared. So you can easily not be looking for a steep drop, take one misstep or twist one ankle, and be dead. This was especially of concern with my elderly parents. The ranger swore Naches Loop was appropriate for healthy seniors, and when we started out it was totally safe although a bit steep of a climb for them. Still they wanted to do it, so we did. But at the top it is NOT SAFE and my father SLIPPED right on the part of the trail where there's a drop straight down with no protection. My partner had to carry him over and it could've been a tragic disaster had we been less lucky. Please have better guidance/information available about the danger of this part of the trail. The other thing is there is NO SIGNAGE where the loop ends and Pacific Crest begins, it suddenly gets really rocky on the trail and forks in two, with one segment going down the mountain in the other direction off the loop. There needs to be signage about this; my elderly parents started blazing down that way on the Pacific Crest and it could've stranded down there for the night unable to walk back up, had my partner not caught that something was amiss and...