Iron Goat Trail

For our annual camping trip, we decided to head back to Lake Wenatchee State Park. Last year we visited the Iron Goat trail head on our way back from camping, but we were too tired to go for a hike at the end of our trip.

Sitting on the Caboose - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 45mm Exposure 1/125 F Number f/5.6 ISO 100

This year we decided to make sure to go for a hike during our camping trip. The first day we explored our campgrounds and the trails around it. The second day we went for our hike.

Caboose - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/100 F Number f/5.6 ISO 100

We ate lunch at the trail head, and as we did a group of volunteers arrived and opened up the caboose. They invited us in to have a look-see. I really like the below picture... too bad it got photo-bombed!

Inside the Caboose - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/125 F Number f/5.6 ISO 1600 - Changed saturation slightly

I love the old furnace from the late 1800's.

Old Furnace - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/125 F Number f/5.6 ISO 1600

This old train was advertised as "radio equipped." Such a different time, and different luxuries, but it is synonymous with luxuries offered now. My fiance is always excited to get WiFi on airplanes.

Along the Trail

The trail was finished in 1893 as the final part of The Great Northern Railway, which ran from Saint Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, WA, finally connecting the pacific northwest to the rest of the country. At the time, it was an engineering feat. It included walls...

Wall - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 45mm Exposure 1/125 F Number f/5.3 ISO 200

And Tunnels...

Twin Tunnels - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 20mm Exposure 1/400 F Number f/3.8 ISO 200

The boys really enjoyed the trail. Note the date on the tunnel: 1916.

Twin Tunnels, entrance - Camera NIKON D3200Focal Length 20mm Exposure 1/250 F Number f/3.8 ISO 200

Of course, the boys had to go past the "EXTREME HAZARD" sign.

Past the Extreme Hazard Sign - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 20mm Exposure 1/100 F Number f/3.8 ISO 3200

The train could only climb 100-feet per mile, so in order to travel over the Cascades, a switch back was necessary. The route was plagued with avalanches, including the worst avalanche in U.S. history killing 96 people. The route was abandoned after a new 7.8-mile tunnel was built, which is still used today.

Around 10-years ago, the route was reopened as a hiking trail. Besides the historic remnants, the trail is graced with amazing views...

Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/320 F Number f/3.5 ISO 100

and nature...

Stream - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/320 F Number f/3.5 ISO 100

Waterfall - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 18mm Exposure 1/125 F Number f/5.6 ISO 100

Boulders - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 45mm Exposure 1/250 F Number f/5.3 ISO 200

And every now and then you might find a surprise.

Bad Wolf - Camera NIKON D3200 Focal Length 20mm Exposure 1/160 F Number f/3.8 ISO 200

We really enjoyed this hike and it was the highlight of our camping trip. I would love to come back. The boys tire easy and were ready to turn back only a quarter through.

There are bridges further up the trail and a ghost town at the end. Once you get to the end of the trail, a switch back takes a short cut down the hill. We'll hopefully come back and finish the trail.

Resources

• Iron Goat Trail Official Website
• Take an eerie trip back in time on Washington's Iron Goat Trail By George Tibbits, Associated Press Writer