The Iron Goat Trail is a rails-to-trails conversion of a section of rail line used by Great Northern Railroad from 1893 to 1929 to cross the Cascades into Seattle. The line was abandoned when a new 7.8-mile tunnel was opened. The construction of the Iron Goat Trail officially began in 1990 when Volunteers for Outdoor Washington, the US Forest Service, and many others entered into an agreement to build the trail. The trail is has been completed to the abandoned town site of Wellington, and we are now working on a section that will be completed in fall, 2006.
Over the last 70 years, the rail bed has become overgrown with small trees and organic debris, and suffered several avalanches. Several sensitive plants have colonized the area too, so we will admire and protect them.
In 2006 we will complete trail on the 5-foot wide barrier-free lower grade starting from the future trailhead at Scenic, on Highway 2 and construct a steep connector to the upper grade. There will be a variety of tasks to choose from. Trail construction will be quite close to where we park our cars. Trail maintenance activities may involve hiking three or more miles to the work site. When you get tired of one activity or desire a change of pace, you are encouraged to change to another.
Maps for additional hiking in the area: