The Iron Goat Trail is located in the Central Cascades, not far from the small town of Skykomish, WA. A gentle nature walk which is easy to navigate along the old Great Northern railroad built in 1893. To enjoy this hike, start out at the Martin Creek trail head and follow the signs. There are also many “Interpretive Signs” in the area. You can read all the history while you hike.
A Tragic History
In February 1910, this area was hit with a terrible blizzard that lasted for nine days. At one point, a foot of snow was falling nearly every hour, with an 11 feet falling in one day. During this blizzard, two trains were trapped at the Wellington Depot, an old train station on what is now the Iron Goat Trail in the now ghost town of Wellington.
In the early hours of March 1, the snow was replaced with rain and wind. Lightning struck just after 1 a.m., breaking a big slab of snow loose. A huge mass of snow half a mile long fell toward Wellington, and an avalanche crashed into the railroad depot, sending the sleeping train passengers 150 feet downhill and into the Tye River Valley. It claimed the lives of 96 people, and the 23 survivors were pulled from the wreckage by railroad employees who were able to help. The weather made further rescue almost impossible, taking 21 weeks to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage. It’s the site of the deadliest avalanche in US history.
The People Left Behind
This railway hike was named one of the scariest haunted hiking trails in the US, just short of 6 miles long.
Some who hike this trail claim that the victims of the Wellington avalanche are still there. There have been reports of disembodied voices echoing through the avalanche tunnel when no one else is there or no one else accompanying them has spoken.
Visitors say they have felt invisible hands touch them, with their hair standing on end for no reason. Some have claimed to have even seen full-on apparitions. While the trail may be eerie, it’s also a beautiful hike.
And ghosts may not be the only thing you have to worry about… Here is a sign that was posted some time ago on the trail warning of a mother bear with her 2 cubs!