Left Bellevue at 8AM, reached Martin Creek TH by 930, hiking by 935. We started out on the ADA portion of the trail for about 1/4 mile, then turned left up to do the upper grade. There is a slide 2 miles from the MCTH on the lower grade, preventing a loop trip around to Windy Point. The trail is in GREAT shape, due to the VOW work groups (5 people were out today doing trail maintenance - Thank you Cindy & Mike!). We had the trail to ourselves until the tunnel entrance just before the Windy Point Overlook. When we got to the other end of the tunnel (after walking around it on the trail, not thru it!), we came upon several backpacks. Rock climbers? No, a Boy Scout troop, exploring the other tunnel opening. It took us about 1:40 to get to the overlook (3.2 miles from the MCTH) We kept going, turning around at MP 1712.5. That gave us a 9 mile round trip. On our way back, we opted for the Corea Crossover, taking us down to the lower grade and past some more historical signs. We got back to the car by 220PM (Bill sooner, since Page chatted with the VOW workers and took pictures along the way). There were a few small blowdowns between Windy Point and MP 1712.5, but I expect they are cleared now due to the VOW group (with saws) we passed! Some water on the trail, draining nicely; some snow near MP 1712.5, but a very small patch. Lots of bleeding hearts, bluebells, trillium, some skunk cabbage, one calypso orchid on the Corea Crossover, and a few columbine. Fiddleheads on the ferns looked like shepherd's hooks, or elephant heads. Oh, and check out the toilet near Windy Point Overlook. It has the BEST view from the seat!

I headed out Thursday to hike a different trail on the east side of The Cascades but it had too much snow so while heading back across Stevens Pass westward I stopped to hike The Iron Goat Trail just outside of Skykomish off of Highway 2 near Stevens Pass. I've wanted to hike this trail for awhile. I'm usually in a hurry to get back across but not today. This trail is well identified off the highway by the old red Caboose at the trailhead. I saw a sign up the trail that stated there was an avalance making one of the lower trails which I believe was Martin Creek impassable due to avalance so I went straight up to Windy View Point. This is a 700 foot climb in 1 1/2 miles. It has a spectacular view of Steven Pass Area on west side as well as great views of the west entrance to the 7.8 mile train tunnel that goes under Stevens Pass. If your lucky you might see a train entering or exiting the tunnel. This was a strenuous hike but well worth it. When you get to the top don't forget to check out Windy Tunnel at both the east and west entrances. East end is just past the Windy View Point. Just hike the concrete wall to the end and around the corner is the east entrance. West entrance is down by the wooden signs when you were just reaching the top of the hill. Turn left and hike the trail around the corner to see the west end. This trail can be up to 5 1/2 miles round trip if you choose to hike to the end which is Wellington just off the Old Cascade Highway below Stevens Pass Ski Area. Checkout my videos of this hike on my youtube channel at lmm3181 or checkout some of the 180 other hikes I have done in Washington State or click on these direct links for this hike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPAXw2MIZ3U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyge87b6g7k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwRTRYQzZEM As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking! Take Care Mike

We managed to get out between storms, and snowshoe today. Skykomish Ranger station said they plow partially up Martin Creek Rd, but we found that the county only plows to the start of Martin Creek Rd off the Old Cascade HWY,so unless you have a 4X4 with chains, good luck, the snow is wet/sloppy & at least a foot deep. Even with 4-wheel drive we barely made it out. Once on the trail, we decided to take the cut-off trail to upper Iron Goat. There's a good 1 to 2 feet of snow on this section, so ice-trax or snowshoes are a must. We decided to go west on the trail & loop around to the lower trail using the Corea Cut-off. There's about 2 ft of snow on the upper, with some of the foot bridges out, so ended up stream hopping in places. Lower trail was much easier, with 1ft or less of snow.

IGT was a perfect hike today for Wilderness Women: no rain, no traction needed, and a light snowfall the last 4 miles before a rain-battered drive home. Parking solo on fresh snow, we hiked from the Scenic trailhead up to Windy Point, then down to Martin Creek trailhead, looping back on the lower trail. We met only two people all morning. Although it is already time to start checking for avalanche danger above Windy Point, the lower trail is good nearly year round if you have snowshoes.

Great hike to get spooked for Halloween!! We went from the interpretive trail head at mile 58.3 on Route 2 up to Windy Point then onto the old town of Wellington. We were most impressed! Check out the full report on our blog! http://triplehhikers.blogspot.com/2011/10/iron-goat.html