Iron Goat Trail
Central CascadesBest Apr–Oct
Walk an abandoned railroad grade through tunnels, snow sheds, and the site of America's deadliest avalanche.
About This Trail
The Iron Goat Trail follows the abandoned grade of the Great Northern Railway, built in 1893 by some 800 workers to push rail traffic over Stevens Pass. The route passes through concrete snow sheds, collapsed tunnels, and interpretive stations that mark the railroad's mileage to Chicago. Interpretive signs tell the story of the 1910 Wellington avalanche disaster, one of the deadliest in U.S. history, which killed 96 people and ultimately led to the construction of the current Cascade Tunnel.
The lower loop runs flat and wide on packed gravel, making it one of the few wheelchair-accessible trails in the Central Cascades. Wooden bridges span creeks, and a vault toilet at the trailhead meets ADA standards. The upper trail climbs through switchbacks to Windy Point, where views open across the Tye River valley to surrounding peaks. Waterfalls cascade through old railroad cuts in spring and early summer.
From Windy Point, determined hikers can continue east along the upper grade all the way to the Wellington ghost town site and the alternative trailhead, turning the route into a nearly 12-mile point-to-point. A red caboose marks the Wellington end. The entire trail sees steady foot traffic but rarely feels crowded, and dogs on leash are welcome throughout.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Persistent Hazards
- Collapsed tunnel openings along the upper trail present fall hazards - stay on marked paths
- Washed-out sections and minor blowdowns reported seasonally
- Snow lingers into spring on the upper trail sections
Getting There
Martin Creek Trailhead fits about 20 cars with vault toilets. From Highway 2 at milepost 55, turn onto Old Cascade Highway, then sharply left onto FR 6710 for 1.4 miles. The Wellington Trailhead at the east end has additional parking off Tye Road but involves rougher pavement. Northwest Forest Pass required at both.
Most hikers start at Martin Creek Trailhead for the lower accessible loop and upper Windy Point trail. Going clockwise (lower trail first) keeps the steeper switchbacks as a descent. The full point-to-point to Wellington requires a car shuttle or a long backtrack. The Spillway Spur adds a short detour with stairs to an old reservoir site.
No need for a dawn start. Morning arrivals on summer weekends find parking easily. The trail works well as an afternoon outing given the modest distance and elevation.
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