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.  When we arrived there was only one other car, so that felt like a better choice than trying for parking at the Nordic Center! 

We hung a left and followed the lower trail west all the way to the end and then the upper trail east past the junction with the switch backs to The Windy Point Viewpoint.  We enjoyed some hot chocolate there before taking the switch backs down the car.

Iron Goat is just so peaceful in the winter!  We only saw a couple of other folks out there enjoying the snow and we were super happy with our change of snowshoeing location : )  The weather was a bit rough with strong winds and blowing snow at times, but we all stayed dry and warm in our gear.  So blessed to hang out with these ladies!  Great Trip!

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.  I think the last chance to do this route without considerable snow.  Fine day for hiking!  7.5 miles round trip.

Parking lot is closed for winter, but there is adequate parking right off the US 2.  Perfect winter conditions for hiking.  Did 10 mile loop starting at Scenic, the railroad grade, and both bypass trails at the east and west ends.  Fantastic views from the top.  Very little ice, slippery conditions.  Took about 4 hours at a leisurely pace.

Walked the Iron Goat trail from Windy Point trailhead at Scenic up to the Wellington Ghost Town and back Thursday morning.  This trailhead is signed as the “iron Goat Interpretive Site” and is just east of Deception Falls along hwy 2.  Parking is free and plentiful at this trailhead.  Vault toilets at both this lot and the eastern Wellington trailhead were open and in good condition.  Total mileage for this out and back walk is about 7.6 miles with about 1070’ gross vertical, (most gained in the initial switchbacks from the lot up to the railroad grade.)  The trails are in great shape - looks like a crew spent some time several weeks ago brushing things back on this section and it looks great, super kudos.  

I like this route in particular because of all the easily accessible history, Windy Point tunnel, big collapsed timber snow shed, gigantic still standing concrete snow shed, western entrance to the old, shorter tunnel under Stevens Pass, etc, etc.  The incident at Wellington in 1910 is sobering, but perhaps a reminder not to mess with Mother Nature too much or she will bite you in the butt.  The other thing I like about this route is the abundance of wild flowers and butterflies in season - today did not disappoint with red paintbrush, daisies, columbine, etc and huge fields of bright purple fireweed all over.  Lastly, don’t miss the pikas, they were all over today with their distinctive >eep! eep!< call, not only in the scree fields but also living in the old snowshed drain holes, (pika condos!)  A beautiful and super interesting, relatively easy walk through a bunch of history and fields of flowers.  

Link to more info about the trail from the USFS - https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=17892

Link to more info about the 1910 avalanche at Wellington -  https://www.historylink.org/File/5127

We arrived in the afternoon and found the paved lot was full, however there is also a large gravel overflow lot and that was empty, so there is plenty of parking here. 

Most hiking sites recommend taking the Iron Goat loop clockwise, however going down steep hills is really tough on the knees so we opted to take the loop counter-clockwise. Going up the steep switchbacks was definitely tough, but it was also super short comparatively, and that made it super worth it to me. Once at the top, there is a short trail towards a compost toilet, if you need it. (Read the note, don't leave your garbage in it please.) It's off the main trail so passers-by can't see you, but be aware that it is not blocked off by any means, so if anyone takes the trail to it you are exposed. 

Shortly after this split, you'll come to the intersection for Wellington and the Windy Tunnel. Even if you don't want to go to Wellington, it is worth the quarter mile to see the Windy Tunnel (half mile round trip). Check out the viewpoint, see the tunnel, cool off a bit, then head back to the intersection and continue west on the Iron Goat trail. 

There are plenty of little spurs and interpretive signs on this trail, lots of tunnel and history here. While walking down the Upper Grade, you'll come to another intersection. Take the crossover down to the Lower Grade (continuing straight goes to the other parking lot which WTA lists as being "Iron Goat Trailhead" and Alltrails calls "Martin Creek Trailhead"), and head back to the East to get back to the parking lot with the red caboose. 

All in all with all the spurs and Windy Tunnel we logged 7.5 miles on this loop.