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The Iron Goat Trail is an 8-mile trail that runs along the old Great Northern Railway.


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Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.5

KM

98%

Runnable

3,134' 955 m

High

2,149' 655 m

Low

1,125' 343 m

Up

165' 50 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

It is dangerous to enter the tunnels or climb on old structures.

Runner Notes

The majority of the trail is flat and the bottom half, which can be done as an out and back, is wheelchair accessible and is easy for any type of hiker in need of a more relaxed walk. To do the full loop of the trail, you'll need to be comfortable with a rather steep climb up, followed by another flat portion of less developed trail, and ending with a steep descent back down to the beginning of the trail.

Description

The beginning part of this loop contains almost three miles of ADA accessible trail, and it is both fascinating and beautiful. It is a wide trail with wooden bridges across small creeks making the journey easy on wheelchairs. Waterfalls spew over the old structures and there are several old tunnels with trails going up to the opening and collapsed timbers that once were protection from the snow. Many of the tunnels and snow bridges were built after the Wellington Avalanche Disaster to better protect the trains from snow.

There are more than tunnels and timber to tell the rail story (do not enter tunnels due to unsafe conditions). Signs along the way also tell of the people that built the railway. In a little over three miles, reach the paved turn off to the right and the start of the alternative trailhead by the red caboose.

Flora & Fauna

A variety of trees and brush along the path.

Contacts

Shared By:

Justin S.

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 7 votes

#9992

Overall
  4.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
86%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#465

in Washington

#9,992

Overall
12 Views Last Month
5,541 Since Apr 30, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

14%
0%
57%
14%
14%
0%

Photos

Tunnel cave collapse
Apr 30, 2015 near Skykomish, WA
Wooden bridge for accessibility
Apr 30, 2015 near Skykomish, WA
Collapsed Tunnel
Apr 30, 2015 near Skykomish, WA
Tunnel Outer Walls
Apr 30, 2015 near Skykomish, WA
Creek along the Iron Goat Trail
Apr 30, 2015 near Skykomish, WA
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