Iron Goat Trail — Thursday, Jun. 19, 2003

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

IRON GOAT TRAIL at Stevens Pass SHORT RPT: cloudy with intermittent light drizzle, trail in good condition, lots of flowers, no bugs, no sun, no people. LONGER REPORT: We hiked from the upper trailhead down to the Windy Point tunnel and then a 1/2 mile further before lunching and returning. Mid 40's temperatures were cool enough to stay all covered up all day long. The trail starts in the massive concrete snow shed that is visible from the hiway and then alternates between forest and clearings as it drops to Windy Point at a steep railroad grade of 2% (which is almost flat to a hiker). Several other ruined snow sheds are passed enroute. There are several good view points but our views were limited to about a mile or two in clouds. The best flowers were : Columbia lily, Wild ginger, Red and Orange Paintbrush, Mertensia, Columbine, Pink and Yellow Monkeyflower, and Queens Cup. This is a historical trail and much evidence of the Great Northern RR (Goat emblem) is found. Windy Point is about midway between the two trailheads. We were the only people on the eastern half of the trail . See www.irongoat.org for driving directions and interesting historical photos and text. Stats: 7 miles 300 ft. elev. gain, 4 hours. Robert Michelson 6-20-03