Natapoc Mountain

Overview

Natapoc Mountain is a mid-elevation peak located in Chelan County, Washington. Although Natapoc Mountain is situated between three highways (Highway 2, Highway 207, Highway 209), and forest service roads and old paths are found on many of the mountain slopes, the peak is generally not a popular summit destination. This is especially unusual when realizing popular nearby hiking destinations (such as Icicle Ridge, Tumwater Mountain, Nason Ridge) and tourist destinations (such as Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, and the city of Leavenworth).

The mountain has peakbagging significance by being one of Washington's peaks with at least 2000' of prominence. With 2124' of clean prominence, Natapoc Mountain is the 120th-most prominent peak in Washington. Some peakbaggers might even consider Natapoc Mountain to be a Napoleon, a peakbagging term for a mountain that has low stature but high prominence.


Natapoc Mountain has an officially recognized summit elevation of 4204'. However, the peak actually has two summit contours and this elevation is only for the north summit. The south summit, with a summit closed-contour ranging between 4200'-4240' elevation, might actually be higher.


Despite some steep slopes, including along standard approaches, the peak is so forested that it can be a good summit option during periods of snowpack even while other more-popular summits near the area have high avalanche danger. There is little-to-no avalanche danger on Natapoc Mountain along the standard approaches. During late Spring through early Autumn the peak is generally dry and has little-to-no water sources on its upper slopes. Many animals are commonly seen on the peak, including black bears, cougars, elk, and deer. The slopes are largely coniferous, mostly comprised of fir and pine trees. In addition, Natapoc Mountain is known to have many wildflowers found on its slopes during Spring and Summer months.

There are two main routes for Natapoc Mountain, each of similar mileage and elevation gain. The route described on this page is for the east approach, which is 6.2 miles roundtrip with approximately 2200' of cumulative elevation gain. There is a dedicated page for the north approach, which is 6.3 miles roundtrip and also approximately 2200' of cumulative gain. Both routes are fairly straightforward and great hikes. The east approach is considered a better snowshoeing option by some peakbaggers, while the north approach is considered a better dry hiking option by some peakbaggers.

Getting There (For East Approach)

FROM STEVENS PASS, WA:
1) Drive east along Highway 2.
2) After 20.0 miles, at the "Coles Corner" junction, turn north onto Highway 207 (heading towards Lake Wenatchee).
3) After 3.6 miles, turn right onto Beaver Valley Road.
4) After 4.3 miles, turn right onto River Road.
5) After 1.5 miles, while passing under the power lines, turn right onto Forest Road 6601.
NOTE: Road 6601 is a dirt road, but driveable by any street legal vehicle.
6) After 0.6 miles, park alongside the road across from gated Road 850 (2100' elevation).
NOTE: No vehicles are allowed to park in front of, or block, the gate.

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FROM LEAVENWORTH, WA:
1) Drive west along Highway 2.
2) After 14.0 miles, at the "Coles Corner" junction, turn north onto Highway 207 (heading towards Lake Wenatchee).
3) After 3.6 miles, turn right onto Beaver Valley Road.
4) After 4.3 miles, turn right onto River Road.
5) After 1.5 miles, while passing under the power lines, turn right onto Forest Road 6601.
NOTE: Road 6601 is a dirt road, but driveable by any street legal vehicle.
6) After 0.6 miles, park alongside the road across from gated Road 850 (2100' elevation).
NOTE: No vehicles are allowed to park in front of, or block, the gate.

East Approach

There are different variations of the summit approach, as some hikers start from Road 850 and some start from Road 810. Depending on conditions, some might even start hiking at the intersection of River Road and Road 6601. Also, some hikers use the northeast "ridge" while others follow a longer route via a north ridgeline path. The route directions listed below start from the entrance gate for Road 850, with the final off-road section following the northeast ridge.

1) From the entrance gate for Road 850, at its intersection with Road 6601, begin hiking west.
2) After 0.3 miles, directly under power lines, Road 850 intersects with Road 810. Sharply turn right to join Road 810 heading initially south and then west.
NOTE: There are two roads that sharply turn left, one lower road on the left side and one higher road on the right side. It does not matter which road to follow, as the roads rejoin each other on the other side of the small hill they traverse around.
3) After 1.0 miles further, Road 810 sharply turns right at a small stream gully and heads uphill back towards the power lines.
4) Once at the power lines, Road 810 turns sharply left. The lower end of the northeast "ridge" of Natapoc Mountain can be found at this road-bend (~2900' elevation). Leave the road and being hiking up the forested ridgeline.

5) Keep following the northeast ridgeline, first in forest (minimal brush) and then in very open coniferous forests, until reaching the northern end of the summit ridge (~4000'-4100' elevation).


6) Follow the ridgetop south to the north summit (4204' elevation).
NOTE: There is a faint unmaintained path that follows the summit ridge.


7) From the north summit, continue hiking along the summit ridge, first downhill and later uphill, to the south summit (4200'-4240'+ elevation).




STATISTICS: Approximately 6.2 miles roundtrip with 2200' of cumulative elevation gain.

North Approach

To learn more about the north approach, go to this link.

Red Tape

The forest roads and slopes on Natapoc Mountain have active logging operations. Logging operations have the "right of way" on all roads. It is recommended to visit the peak during weekends or holidays, while logging activities are at a minimum.

No permits or fees are required, but a Northwest Forest Pass (parking pass) is recommended so it does not appear the vehicle is abandoned.

No campfires allowed. The mountain is typically very dry and fire-prone.

Camping

No camping is allowed on Natapoc Mountain. However, official campgrounds are located near the mountain at Fish Pond Campground (to the northwest), Nason Creek Campground (to the north), and Tumwater Campground (to the south).

No campfires or other fires are allowed on Natapoc Mountain.

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Images

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