Kaner Flats

Kaner Flats (4W676) is situated in the Okanogan - Wenatchee National Forest with the trailhead located in the Naches Valley. This area is well known for its camping, hiking, and miles of off-roading trails and roads to explore. In the early 1800's settlers seeking a passage to the Puget Sound area used this valley as launching point up and over the Naches Pass. This trail encompasses all of the attributes of a Washington trail and includes a huge change in elevation, over 4000 feet to the Manastash Ridge. There are numerous hill climbs that, when wet, can pose a serious and often dangerous situation for an inexperienced driver. Kaner Flats is anything but flat, winding its way up through mature growth timber and visiting many mountain meadows, lakes, and marshes. This trail culminates with a route over about 2 miles of lava fields left from early prehistoric periods. The soaring volcanic cliffs these boulders fell from and continue to fall seem like an impenetrable wall keeping you from finding a trail to get up there. Imagine driving a few miles on bowling balls that move under your tires, and you get the idea. This trail is popular with many types of vehicles to include side-by-sides, ATVs, and dirt bikes so navigate carefully and look for oncoming traffic. A beginner driver will not want to attempt this trail as there is a certain about of skill and situational awareness necessary for picking the correct lines on obstacles that have no bypass. A modified 4x4 with a lift and larger tires with recovery gear are necessary to avoid unnecessary damage. This trail has something for everyone and is a must-do for the Manastash area of trails.