Beware of the Rug: Iron Goat, 2019

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Iron Goat, 2019

Iron Goat Trail markers

We have hiked the Iron Goat Interpretive trail before, both the upper trail and the lower grade. The trail is at Stevens Pass where the old railway line used to be and has since been replaced by the 8 mile tunnel. Because my Achilles tendon is still not completely healed we went on the lower grade beginning at the Caboose trailhead and using the Martin Creek trailhead as our turn around point.

Informational sign telling about the old railroad line at the trailhead

The old Caboose at the trailhead parking lot

There are outhouses at both trailheads and at Martin Creek there is a long bench to sit on in the shade. That is where we had our lunch break before heading back to the Caboose. There is a place near the starting point where it goes uphill to the Windy Point Crossover trail and two trail junctions past the tunnels to the Martin Creek Crossover trails.

Paved section at the beginning of the trail

Most of the lower grade trail was like this, packed dirt and gravel

Mile post signs left from the railroad days

Our total distance on the lower grade trail was 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 300 feet. This is a very nice wide trail that starts out paved, turns into dirt but remains wide throughout. The trail is slightly uphill but wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. There are a couple of bridges over water and/or a ravine. We saw one young family with a baby in a stroller and a child riding a small bike with training wheels. There are informational placards about the old railroad and remains of old railroading relics, abandoned tunnels, and a couple of places with benches with views.

In several places there are remains of snowshed walls

A new view spot with a bench and informational placard. It is possible to see the new railway line across the way below from this view point.

Old abandoned railroad tunnel

Bridge crossing a ravine with a stream below

We hoped for wildflowers and were not to be disappointed. A large party of people had started out just before we did. When asked we were informed it was a garden club looking at plants. Bob designed a sheet that lists the flowers we usually see and he adds new ones when we find them. On this day we saw 28 different kinds of flowers in bloom. Big bonuses for the day were chocolate lilies and calypso orchids!