Mud Springs Trail 4W696

Distance: 11.25 miles
Running Time: Approx. 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to More Difficult

The Mud Springs Trail runs from FS1601 on the eastern side west past it's namesake Mud Springs and continues climbing to an elevation of just under 6400' as it meets FS1600 at Clover Springs.  Along the way the trail afords some beautiful view points to the south overlooking the William O. Douglas wilderness area.

The Forest Service lists the Mud Springs Trail as More Difficult but the first half of the trail from FS1601 west to Mud Springs is actually very easy.  Suitable for just about any high clearance vehicle this section of trail amounts to a little used road that will have you putting your foot down on the gas a bit just ot overcome the mototony and get through it quicker.

Past Mud Springs the trail does become "More Difficult" in nature with lots of off camber sections, tight areas in the trees and a final hill climb up to Clover Springs that is long, loose and dusty in the summer and all but impassible when wet.   If you do not wish to continue on this harder section of trail you can exit at Mud Springs via FS1611.  We have found snow along the trail in enough quatity in July to turn us back and it can linger well into August at the west end due to the 6400' elevation.

Getting There:

8.5 miles east of Cliffdel on Hwy 410 turn south onto Nile Road and cross over the Naches River.  Follow Nile Road southeast for 1.4 miles and turn right (west) on FS1600.  Follow FS1600 2.9 miles west where you will come to a "Y".  If you wish to run the trail downhill from Clover Springs then stay right at the "Y" and stay on FS1600 another 15.5 miles to Clover Springs.  If you want to run the trail uphill then stay straight at the first "Y" and at the 2nd "Y" just .25 mile further stay to the left to folow FS1601. ( If you wish to only run the most difficult section from Mud Springs you can stay straight at the 2nd "Y" which is FS1611 and will take you to Mud Springs.)  Once on FS1601 it will climb a ridge and at 1.85 miles there will be another "Y".  Stay left for FS1601 for another .17 mile and again stay left as FS1631 bears off to the right. FS1601 will drop down the ridge and cross Nile Creek and then start to climb once again.

GPS Data File:    NileTrails.zip

(Includes .TXT, .GDB, .GPX files for the Clover Springs, Sweet Home and Mud Springs trails)

Printable Map:  Coming Soon

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