PNW Overland: Our Epic Overland Journey on the Naches Trail

There's nothing quite like the thrill of an overland adventure, especially when it involves both our dedicated Overland Truck Store team and our enthusiastic followers from social media. This past weekend, we embarked on a journey that tested our skills, our gear, and our resolve. Here’s a recount of our unforgettable overnight trip on the historic Naches Trail that felt like something right out of a Colter Wall song. 

Day 1: Getting Lost in the Wenatchee

On Saturday, July 27th, our team and some of our followers gathered early in the morning, ready to break away from the daily buzz of our normal lives and “unplug” by being immersed in nature. However, the journey didn’t start as smoothly as we had planned. As we hit the trails to meet up for our first camp before tackling the main trail, we found ourselves unexpectedly split up.

For about four hours, we were scattered across the wilderness, in the middle of the night, relying on intermittent communications via our trusty Rugged GMRS radios (available in our store). Despite the separation, we maintained our spirit and good humor, but did become worried as the hours passed us.

Around 3 AM, after hours of radio silence and navigating through the dense trails, there was finally a crackle of static on the radio indicating that someone had finally heard the calls. It was a moment of relief and joy. We moved to a higher elevation, improving our radio signal clarity. With better communication, we managed to coordinate our movements and finally regrouped with the rest of our team. The relief was palpable, and the real adventure was about to begin. We all headed up to the camping spot that was agreed upon by the first group earlier that day. We enjoyed a small propane camp fire that we all sat around as we discussed our prior search for each other while we enjoyed a round of very fitting Rainer beers. The spot was in an alpine meadow in the middle of the Wenatchee National Forest. Alpine meadows are vast and exposed to abundant precipitation, low temperatures and frequent fog cover. It made for a great spot to host our small encampment. Upon the break of light that next morning, we took in the amazing views of the valley below that was also most likely enjoyed by the elk that had made their tracks known to the organic soil that was planted on top of the bedrock. 

Day 2: Following the Footsteps of Pioneers

After a much-needed rest, we woke up on Sunday, July 28th, ready for the day ahead. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast, fueled up, and set our sights on the Naches Trail. This trail, rich in history as a pioneer wagon route from 1853, offered a variety of challenging terrain obstacles such as rock gardens, large uneven berms that got very close to the break-over angle of lifted trucks, and narrow trail lines that made it difficult to get by without scraping anything. 

Our convoy of Toyota Tacomas, a Toyota Landcruiser and some Jeeps took on the trail, which is typically dominated by side-by-sides and dirt bikes. The journey was nothing short of spectacular. The Naches Trail, weaving through the stunning National Forest, presented us with a mix of technical challenges that sporadically opened up to a pristine, picturesque landscape that was once traversed by pioneers in the backs of their wagons, aptly named by us for the rest of the trip as “The Original Overlanders.” 

Navigating the rocky terrain required the use of rock sliders, which are among the top aftermarket parts we offer at our store. The trail’s demanding nature also highlighted the importance of high-clearance vehicles, with lift kits and larger tires proving invaluable.

Why We Love Overlanding

This trip was a perfect example of why we are so passionate about overlanding. It's not just about the destination; it’s about the journey, the friends, the food, the music and the challenges that make great memories and stories along the way. The experience of working together to overcome obstacles and the joy of finally seeing our friends after hours of separation gave us that sense of adventure and freedom that drives all of us to keep coming back trail after trail.

For those of you looking to embark on your own overland adventure, we highly recommend being well-prepared with the right gear. Our Rugged GMRS radios were crucial in our successful reunion, and our rock sliders and lift kits ensured our vehicles were trail-ready.

Stay tuned for more adventures and tips from our team. Whether you’re a seasoned overlander or just starting, we’re here to support your journey with the best gear and advice.

Happy trails!