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triad
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triad
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PostFri Jul 24, 2020 10:18 am 
Does anyone have an idea of how high the Napeequa is right now? I'm wondering about the difficulty to cross the Napeequa where the trail leaves the valley to go up to Boulder Pass. I've only seen the Napeequa in mid August and it did still seem to have a respectable current.

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gray matter
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gray matter
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PostSat Jul 25, 2020 3:43 pm 
We were up at Boulder Pass two weeks ago, and there was still a lot of snow. We ran into a forest ranger there that was headed down into the valley to assess trail conditions. It may be worth a call to the ranger station in Leavenworth to get specific information. Have fun! It looks beautiful there. Edited to add: as of two weeks ago, there was still a steep snowfield just below the pass. An axe and traction may be useful.

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timberghost
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PostSat Jul 25, 2020 8:29 pm 
Can you say bugs and flies

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triad
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triad
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PostSun Jul 26, 2020 12:24 am 
Okay, thanks! Yeah, the Napeequa valley is one of my favorite places. Planning on a circumnavigation of Glacier Peak at some point this summer.

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triad
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triad
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PostSun Jul 26, 2020 12:26 am 
timberghost wrote:
Can you say bugs and flies
haha, oh boy, yeah I remember last time I was in the Napeequa Valley. Worst flies I've ever experienced

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Backpackapalooza
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PostTue Jul 28, 2020 8:36 am 
A friend of mine on Strava did this hike a couple of weeks ago. Here's a photo on High Pass overlooking the Napeequa. I realize it doesn't provide specifics but gives you a good idea of snow, etc.
Napeequa and High Pass
Napeequa and High Pass

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gray matter
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gray matter
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PostTue Jul 28, 2020 6:01 pm 
Can anyone tell me why the Napeequa valley doesn't have a trail coming up from down the valley? Is it a geographical concern? Flora? I'm curious. Thanks, Matt

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Conrad
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PostTue Jul 28, 2020 6:19 pm 
gray matter wrote:
why the Napeequa valley doesn't have a trail coming up from down the valley?
Impossible, due to terrain. At least according to Manning IIRC.

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triad
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PostTue Jul 28, 2020 8:56 pm 
I think that's part of the reason the Napeequa Valley is so special. It feels so wild and isolated, tucked down between the steep, glaciated valley walls.

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Josh
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PostWed Jul 29, 2020 9:17 am 
Anyone ever packrafted the lower valley (the trailless portion)? Based on my one trip through the upper valley (Boulder Pass to High Pass) in mid-August a few years ago, the river there seems deep enough to float, mellow in character, and pretty free of obstructions. I'm wondering if it's the same in the lower valley.

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Cyclopath
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PostWed Jul 29, 2020 9:33 am 
That's a very large gentleman with unusual clothing who carries a tree and won't let anybody pass through the lower valley without solving a riddle. You've been warned.

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Josh
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PostWed Jul 29, 2020 3:48 pm 
Here's a video from a guy who seems to have floated the lower valley in a hard shell kayak: https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/video-solo-first-descent-napeequa/. Looks gnarly.

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triad
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triad
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PostSat Aug 01, 2020 8:40 pm 
Wow that's a crazy video. Thanks for the link! I had never heard of that kayak descent. Looked like an alder infested nightmare

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OutOfOffice
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PostMon Aug 03, 2020 12:54 pm 
Nice that you found that video too. A friend and I were wanting to packraft the Napeequa this year. That is, until we saw that video.

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Michael Lewis
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PostMon Aug 03, 2020 4:18 pm 
I think the video has them coming in over Little Giant Pass. They quote it as being 6400'. I was up on Napeequa a week ago and snow was still deep and creeks running high. Might be better now. Definitely call the ranger district though. Wenatchee Ranger Office page Jeff Rivera, District Ranger 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509) 548-2550 or 548-2551 Fax: (509) 548-5817 SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Monday—Saturday, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm

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