60 Nestled against the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the Town of Naches owes its name to the river that flows through it and to the indigenous peoples who historically traveled through the Naches Valley to reach the coast, to fish from area rivers or to pick huckleberries in the mountains. They called the river winding through the valley “Natchez,” meaning turbulent water. It wasn’t until 1908 that U.S. postal authorities changed the name to Naches. GATEWAY TO THE CASCADES TOWN OF NACHES MOUNTAIN RECREATION FRUIT STANDS GREAT RESTAURANTS Today, that river and the rugged mountains still play a vital role in the community thought of as the Gateway to the Cascades. As rolling, orchard-covered hillsides give way to the beginning of forested slopes, you reach what locals refer to as “the Y,” the intersection of Hwy 12 and SR 410, leading to the White Pass and Chinook Pass Scenic Byways (pg. 38). Both deliver endless adventures on rivers, mountain lakes and trails. Begin your day with a stop at Cot’s Peak Coffee, named for the tallest peak on nearby Cleman Mountain. The cozy coffeehouse and gathering place serves up locally roasted coffee and homemade bagels. After a day in the mountains, raise a glass in the historic charm of Van’s 1885 Bar & Grill. The 1921 building is one of the oldest in town and the bar itself was crafted in 1885 on the east coast. Or, stop by D’Nile Tap House for great food and mountain town charm. What I Crave Restaurant and Tavern is a new addition after years as a popular food truck. On the other end of the town, visitors are greeted by a collection of fruit stands reflecting the agricultural roots of the community. Stop by Naches Trading Post for fresh, local produce, or Thompson’s Farm Market for fruit grown on the multigenerational farm, along with local artisan food products and gifts. Find pieces from local makers at Lakat Gallery. For those seeking historical highlights, the distinctive Art Deco Building, complete with a tall spire and neon trim, has been a Naches landmark since 1935. The restored 1906 Train Depot is now home to many of the Town’s events and an excellent starting point for this bike-friendly town. The Naches Bandstand, built in 1919, stands in its original location and is a centerpiece of the town’s Sportsman’s Days. Learn more at TownOfNaches.com • 509-653-2647 aROUND MOUNTAIN - WHITE PASS SCENIC BYWAY Photo by Shannon Mahre aD’NILE TAP HOUSE TOWN OF NACHES
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