Iron Goat Trail
Jul 02, 2009
by
Chuck Gustafson
—
last modified
Jul 06, 2009 01:35 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Iron Goat Loop
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Skykomish Ranger District
- Trails: Iron Goat Trail (#1074)
- Avg Rating: 4.06
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- Overgrown
Parked at the Iron Goat Interpretative TH. Started hiking up the connector trail to Upper RR Grade in cool shade and then turned east on the Upper RR Grade and hiked to Windy Pt. for a short cookie break. Continued east towards Wellington about 1 mile to next reader board. Several nice waterfalls coming off the ridge and lots of shade with trees growing in the right-away and forest left and right. Turned back here and continued towards Martin Creek TH. More small waterfalls. Checked out all the tunnels and snow sheds. In the many avy chutes the trail needed brushing and was hot. Lots of daisy’s, Miner’s Lettuce, a few Bleeding Hearts and flowers we couldn’t identify this day. Spit bugs are leaving their goo everywhere and some of it found it's way on to us. Military jet flew through the Pass very low and loud.
Met 3 other hikers and a Forest Service Crew Chief up to do some light brushing. He told us that it was rough with almost no budget, but 3 miles of new trail was going to be built on Martin Creek and a large volunteer group was scheduled to do maintenance on the Iron Goat.
Took a long break at the Martin Creek TH (bathrooms locked). Now it is really hot. Returned on the Lower RR Grade built to ADA standards (almost like a city sidewalk). Met more hikers and a large family group. Stats were: 5.75 hours, 900’ gross elev. and 9 miles. Stopped at the Alpen Hut on the way home for 3 star (out of 5) burgers and malt. Recommend this as a hike for out-of-town guests in fair condition who don't have boots or a big pack.
Met 3 other hikers and a Forest Service Crew Chief up to do some light brushing. He told us that it was rough with almost no budget, but 3 miles of new trail was going to be built on Martin Creek and a large volunteer group was scheduled to do maintenance on the Iron Goat.
Took a long break at the Martin Creek TH (bathrooms locked). Now it is really hot. Returned on the Lower RR Grade built to ADA standards (almost like a city sidewalk). Met more hikers and a large family group. Stats were: 5.75 hours, 900’ gross elev. and 9 miles. Stopped at the Alpen Hut on the way home for 3 star (out of 5) burgers and malt. Recommend this as a hike for out-of-town guests in fair condition who don't have boots or a big pack.
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