Iron Goat is ""do-able"" from the Martin Creek TH to the work party access trail. Despite the Skykomish R.S. advising travel beyond Windy Pt Tunnel ""wasn't advised"" due to snow and avalanche danger, we found the route fine. Minor snow patches, waterfall sprays and the calypso orchids marked the route to lunch at Windy Pt. Beyond there the trail is fine and snowfree approx half the route beyond. Fairly solid but firm snow patches line most of the remaining route, with snow disappearing until you reach the fallen down snowshed. The tread is hikable a bit further until avalanche debris marks the turnaround. We hiked the work party access trail down to our 2nd vehicle, marking our first ever one way trip on the often done trail. Can't believe 8 of us hiked this and none of us turned in a trip report! Better late than never.

Great day for hiking; hiked to tunnel where encountered snow. Some mounds of snow below several of the concrete walls but easy walk-arounds or over. And some water on trail. Saw some lovely magenta orchids on edge of trail near Martin crossover.

Hiked thru the Old Cascade Tunnel from East to West. I was a _very_ different hike! 2.6 miles each way. The tunnel is open and clear for the most part - a little damp in places and definately chilly - ~45 degrees (it was 80 degrees outside!). Big, bright flashlights and sturdy boots are required of course. To get to the East portal, drive over Stephens Pass and take the first paved left (Yodelin Place) then turn right at the T intersection. 1/2 mile later, turn right on a gravel road and park at the white rocks. The portal is behind you on the left. There are two mysterious cinder block walls that divide the tunnel into thirds - fortunately the have open doorways. Stranger still, the center third of the tunnel is in _much_ better shape than the beginning and ending thirds. Someone (the government') spent alot of time and effect doing _something_ in there about 10-20 years ago - very mysterious... At the east end of the tunnel, we scrambled up the bank and down the road through the old Wellington town site (where an avalache killed ~100 people back in 1910). Less than 1/8th of a mile further was the first concrete snowshed which we followed until it ended. We turned around there. Walking thru the tunnel one-way took exactly 1 hour. Walking thru the snowshed to an additional 30 minutes. All-in-all, a very unique hiking experience. chipa@coolhistory.com