Naneum Creek Tr1381

This page covers the trails north of FR3530. Table Mt: Naneum Wilson Tr1371 covers the southern section.

From the Haney Meadow Campground, Naneum Creek Tr1381 descends alongside Naneum Creek, through meadows and timber to the Naneum Meadows intersection with Naneum Rim Tr1234 and Grass Camp Tr1219, then passes the Naneum Wilson Tr1371 TH before crossing FR3530, passing the Colockum State Wildlife Area lake and ending at FR3330.

The Ken Wilcox Horse camp ensures a lot of equestrian use on these trails, with the trail damage associated with that use, so avoid wet weather rides and be sure to give the horses plenty of space. Stop beside the trail and let the equestrians pass and maybe chat a little, to avoid spooking the horses. Watch for blind corners or any other terrain which might result in a collision. This will upset the horse, who will dent you and your bike with their steel-toed hooves.

 

From the FR9712 TH, Howard Creek Tr1372 descends then crosses the headwaters of Howard Creek, ascends to a bench then crosses some clearcuts before reaching FR3530 and ending at Naneum Creek Tr1381.

The inner 7mi (1500' ascent) loop consists of Grass Camp Tr1219, which connects to Naneum Creek Tr1381 at the TH, with Howard Creek Tr1372 at the ends to reconnect to Naneum Creek Tr1381. This is usually ridden CW but CCW is ok as well.

Covered in the guide, the outer loop consists of riding Naneum Rim Tr1234 to Table Mt Tr1209 to Mount Lillian Tr1601 (or Old Ellensburg Tr1373 for a shorter ride) to Howard Creek Tr1372, returning on Naneum Creek Tr1381.

The outer loop should be ridden CW and could be further extended by using FR9712 to access Grouse Spring Tr1373.1, returning on FR3521 and Naneum Creek Tr1381.

The main east-west connector, Old Ellensburg Tr1373 crosses Naneum Creek, then crosses Haney Meadow and Howard Creek before ending at Grouse Spring Tr1371.1.

From the Haney Meadow Campground, Mount Lillian Tr1601 crosses Upper Naneum Meadow, then passes Mount Lillian as the trail winds along the ranger district boundary while travelling through old-growth lodgepole pine and passing sandstone outcrops, before ending at FR9712.

Grass Camp Tr1219 forms 3/4 of the inner loop, ascending alongside a small stream to a plateau. Passing through meadows, the trail circles around an experimental 1975 lodgepole forest burn, before passing the Grass Camp Tie Tr1291.1 intersection at 1.2mi. The trail then explores the edge of the plateau, with views of Glacier Peak, before descending to the Howard Creek Tr1372 TH.

Tronsen Ridge Trail 1204 southern TH is at the FR312 intersection with Mount Lillian Tr1601.