Manastash, Naches, and Funny Rocks - Roaming Around Rainier

How could it be that we hadn’t explored this area? I have no idea, really. Most likely, it's simply a side effect of the total lack of exploration we've done in our home state of Washington - opting instead to explore areas in other surrounding states, where weather is consistently warmer, or at least drier.

But, what could be viewed as an oversight, we viewed as opportunity. With dirt roads less than three hours from home, we didn't have to rush out in the dark of early morning - instead, we got a leisurely start around 9:30am, and made it to dirt by lunch time! With several beautiful days in the forecast - and with the PNW being ideal when it's sunny and warm - this trip was sure to be an enjoyable one!

Manastash Ridge - Roaming Around Rainier #1

...Weaving our way through tight turns around trees that had quite clearly met their share of sliders, bumpers, and body panels, our pace slowed dramatically... And along the way, we'd pop out of the trees along the ridge, a view of The Mountain in the distance....

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Manastash Ridge - Roaming Around Rainier #1​

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Manastash Ridge - Roaming Around Rainier #1​

 

Tripod Flats and Funny Rocks - Roaming Around Rainer #2

...We had quite a bit of elevation to shed on our way from the ridge to the lake, and several times through the morning, we'd nearly double back on ourselves - without even realizing it until we looked out and recognized a place we'd recently been - as we meandered our way from plateau to plateau. To our delight, the first plateau offered a few top-of-the-world style overlooks, and we took full advantage....

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Tripod Flats and Funny Rocks - Roaming Around Rainer #2​

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Tripod Flats and Funny Rocks - Roaming Around Rainer #2​

 

The Naches Trail - Roaming Around Rainier #3

...Now, I'm probably making everything sound a little more dramatic than necessary, but I will say that this trail is probably one of the tougher that I've run from a narrowness-and-body-damage-potential perspective. It is not however a dangerous or scary trail - there's no risk of falling off a cliff as there might be on something like Radical Hill. I can see it being extremely fun in a vehicle that's already a little banged up, where you're less concerned about bumping into things that protrude onto the trail....

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The Naches Trail - Roaming Around Rainier #3​

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The Naches Trail - Roaming Around Rainier #3​

 

Climbing Kelly Butte - Roaming Around Rainier #4

...With no clouds to our east and Mt. Rainier to our west, I didn't really see any need to pull myself out of bed for the pre-sunrise time where an orange glow on the horizon can turn into a fiery sky. Instead, I set my alarm for a few minutes before the sun hit the horizon, and was rewarded with that nice pre-sunrise glow that seems to melt over the land....

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Climbing Kelly Butte - Roaming Around Rainier #4​

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Climbing Kelly Butte - Roaming Around Rainier #4​

 

Very nice.
Its been several years since I used to take my Scout up to Manastash and Little Naches.
Going up around Chinook Pass was always fun too.
I grew up near Yakima so there were a lot of good places to explore.

 

I just ran a 96 taco stock w Highway tires on Naches around a week ago. Had no business doing that but we made it. The mud is tricky on slicks

getting some mud terrains thrown on today and hopefully gonna hit it one more time tomorrow.

 

Nice! With muds, try Lower Naches as well!

 

I ran up there yesterday and was able to conquer the steep entrance. I couldn’t get up it with the HT. Even w MT it was a big struggle.
Didn’t get a chance to check out lower but I definitely will. I’ve become addicted.

 

Awesome.

 

Beautiful part of Washington to explore.
The views are fantastic.

 

Even with all the out of state wheeling we do, Naches/ Manastash is still our favorite place to go, funny rocks and moon rocks are like our own mini Moab! And cant beat a 1.5hr drive to get there!

 

Nice! Good to see country you’re familiar with posted. Been to a couple of those areas. Need to get out there again!

 

Bump for my backyard...love the PacNWet...