Iron Goat Trail - Winter Route
Central CascadesBest Dec–Mar
Winter access to the Iron Goat railroad grade, with avalanche terrain requiring careful assessment.
About This Trail
WTA explicitly warns against winter use of the Iron Goat Trail due to avalanche hazard and limited parking. The winter trailhead at the Iron Goat Scenic Interpretive Site near Scenic closes for the season, and the terrain above the lower trail crosses avalanche runout zones that produced the catastrophic 1910 Wellington slide.
That said, trip reports show some winter visitors walk the lower portions in low-snow conditions, particularly from the Scenic parking pullout along Highway 2. When snow is shallow and consolidated, the flat railroad grade offers a mellow walk through quiet winter forest. The route sees very little traffic in winter, and conditions vary dramatically year to year.
This listing exists primarily as a winter reference point for the main Iron Goat Trail. Anyone considering a winter visit should check current avalanche forecasts for the Stevens Pass zone and understand that the upper trail sections sit in serious slide terrain. The lower, flatter sections carry less risk but still demand awareness of overhead slopes.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Part 2 of Iron Goat loop, this time from Scenic switchback (at parking lot) to Wellington.”
Last report: Jan 6, 2024
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Persistent Hazards
- Avalanche terrain on upper trail sections - check NWAC Stevens Pass forecast
- Parking lot closed in winter; highway pullout parking only
- Icy trail conditions common
- Short winter daylight limits available travel time
Getting There
The main Iron Goat parking lot closes for winter. Roadside pullouts along Highway 2 near the Scenic area provide limited parking. Do not block plowed turnouts or the highway shoulder.
Access from Highway 2 pullouts near the Scenic area. The lower trail sections follow the flat railroad grade and carry the least avalanche risk. Upper trail sections cross avalanche terrain and should only be traveled when the forecast is favorable.
Start early to take advantage of firm morning snow. Afternoon warming increases avalanche risk on the slopes above the trail.
Recent Reports
Today we were aiming for Lanham Lake, but as we drove up to Stevens Pass, the traffic grew worse and worse until we were at a dead stop on the icy Hwy 2 and heard through the grapevine of cars that the Stevens Pass parking lots (and presumably Nordic Center as well) were already maxed. So we did a quick U-turn before the hwy divider would trap us, and drove back down a little ways to the Iron Goat Trailhead.
Part 2 of Iron Goat loop, this time from Scenic switchback (at parking lot) to Wellington. Trail condition very good, some snow approaching Wellington site.
Parking lot is closed for winter, but there is adequate parking right off the US 2. Perfect winter conditions for hiking.
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