Iron Goat Trail

Directions:

Martin Creek Trailhead: From Skykomish, follow US Highway 2 east to milepost 55. Turn north onto Forest Service Road 67. Go 2.3 miles, turn left and go 1.4 miles up Road 6710. The parking area has some deep gravel that might require assistance for some wheelchair users.

Wellington Trailhead: Drive U.S. 2 to Milepost 64.3 just west of Stevens Pass and turn north on the Old Cascade Highway. (If you are coming from the Puget Sound area, because of limited sight distance you should proceed east to Stevens Pass, turn around at the crest of the hill where visibility is optimum, and return to Milepost 64.3) Proceed 2.8 miles on the Old Cascade Highway to its junction with the USFS Road 050. Turn right and proceed to the trailhead parking lot.

Features:
Both trails are graveled, barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible with generally a gentle 2.2 percent grade, although it can get muddy, even well into late summer. However, some pitches approach 10-15% (some bridge approaches for example). These steeper grades are the rare exception and are short distances (25-50 feet).

Martin Creek
The first 1.5-mile of this lower Iron Goat trail is accessible. Near Martin Creek is a steeper pitch just past the first Twin Tunnel where there is a puncheon bridge approach at up to 14% for 30'. The rest of the bridge approaches have grades between 2-8%.

Wellington
There is also a 3-mile barrier-free section of moderate difficulty from Wellington to the Windy Point Tunnel. On the spur trail from the Wellington Trailhead to the Old Cascade Tunnel Portal there are 2 steep sections - 35' at 12% and 40' at up 13%. Reportably, it has been tried successfully in a wheelchair without difficulty. The rest of the Wellington section and trail out to Windy Point Tunnel should be 2-8%.

The Wellington trailhead melts out later in the year than the Martin Creek trailhead, so if you want to hike the entire trail you may want to check on trail conditions with the Skykomish Ranger Station (1-800-627-0062 ext. 3260).

Iron Goat is beautiful in the Fall and Spring because a lot of it is deciduous forest and quite a few wildflowers come up in spring. There are railroad tunnels and snow sheds to experience. Pets (leash optional) are permitted.

Check the Iron Goat website. Click this link to see maps and more details on this trail.

Other Info:
The US Forest Service requires a Northwest Forest Pass for each vehicle parked at either trailhead.

Skykomish Ranger District, (360) 677-2414

Nearby Camping: Money Creek Campground Located thirty miles east of Monroe, Washington, adjacent to the Skykomish River. Troublesome Creek Campground, located 11 mi NE of Index, is a peaceful site in dense old growth conifer trees. From Index go on the Index-Galena Rd to the site. Accessible camping and picnic tables. Partially accessible restrooms. Water is handpump

Deception Falls - Hwy 2 Near Stevens Pass

Directions:
From Skykomish, drive 6.5 mi E on US 2 to the signed Deception Falls picnic area near milepost 56. The falls is 7 miles west of Stevens Pass.

Features:
Deception Falls is a popular rest stop while driving over Stevens Pass. The falls can be seen from the road, but best views are accessed on the short trail, which leads from the parking lot down to the creek then (for abled-bodied companions) under the Highway to a viewing platform in front of the falls. Deception Creek crashes down a few steps, then glides over smooth rock under the highway and ends in a square plunge. An information exhibit is at the start of the trail.

The first part of the trail is paved, leading through woods to the upper falls viewpoint. You can view the falls from here and still stay dry. If you don't mind getting a little wet, travel over the turbulent white water on an arched bridge which offers better views of the falls. If the falls is high, prepare to get wet! Past the bridge, stone steps mark the end of the accessible portion of the trail.

A second, lower trail, which was not intended to be barrier-free starts at a point halway down the accessible trail. It drops via an uneven lip to a narrow gravel trail with a steep grade of 20%. Able-bodied companions can view the lower falls and swift Tye River from here.

Other Info:The entire falls are not visible from any one point due to the highway bridge over the creek.The impressiveness of this falls drops in low water periods. Skykomish Ranger District (360) 677-2414

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.