Hiking Washington's Railroad History

$50 per person

Up to 25 people

Skykomish, Washington

See Dates

$50 per person

Up to 25 people Skykomish, Washington

$50 per person

Skykomish, Washington See Dates

What We’ll Do

In the wee hours of March 1, 1910, after days of blizzard conditions left the small rail station of Wellington, Washington, buried in an impassable layer of snow, lightning struck Windy Mountain and triggered a massive avalanche that sent a towering wave of snow thundering down toward the depot. The cascade of “white death” obliterated the station and much of the small community of Wellington, and rolled waiting train cars over 150 feet down into the Tye River Valley, burying the wreckage in dozens of feet of snow. In the final accounting, 96 souls were lost in the disaster including passengers and train workers, making it the deadliest avalanche in United States history.

Join Atlas Obscura for a hike along the historic path of the doomed rail line, learning about Washington's early railroad history, the town of Wellington, and the tragic events of winter 1910. Field Agent Jared Steed leads this five-hour, one-way, 3.5-mile hike, where you'll will follow the old rail line and experience rail history first hand, passing several old railway tunnels, snow sheds, and scenic viewpoints along the Iron Goat hiking trail. The tour will end at the former Wellington town site, where you'll explore the site of the deadly avalanche, the town's remnants, and the bits of warped train wreckage that were never carried off the mountain and still crumble under the overgrowth of the Tye River Valley as a reminder of nature’s terrible wrath.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Meet in the parking lot of the Iron Goat Trail Interpretive Site parking lot at 87450 Old Cascade Highway, Skykomish, Washington. (Look for the red train caboose on the eastbound route of Stevens Pass Highway/U.S. Highway 2.)
The hike will require walking a distance of approximately 3.5 miles one way. The first quarter-mile of the hike will involve walking up a steep, but non-technical, switchback. After the switchback, the hike runs along the old railroad track and consists of mostly even, flat ground. A map of the hiking route can be found by clicking here.
Round trip, the hike will cover approximately 7.25 miles. For those wishing to make only the one-way, 3.5 mile hike to Wellington, cars can be parked at the Wellington town parking lot and used to ferry people back to the Iron Goat Interpretive Site. The road to the Wellington site parking lot is off Tye Road, just west of the Stevens Pass Ski Resort on U.S. Highway 2. The address for the turnoff off eastbound Highway 2, and onto Tye Road, is approximately 93001 Stevens Pass Highway, Skykomish, Washington. The turnoff onto Tye Road is just past mile post 64. Participants will then need to follow Tye Road signs to Wellington.
If you plan on leaving your car parked in the Iron Goat Trail Interpretive Site and/or Wellington parking lots, you will need to display a National Forest Recreation ePass, which can be purchased for $5.
The tour is entirely outside and will run rain or shine from noon to 5 p.m.
Please wear comfortable walking and water-resistant shoes, as well as appropriate hiking clothing. Participants will be responsible for bringing their own food, water, sun protection, and clothing.
The tour is family-friendly, but parents must keep an eye on their children.
This tour is best suited for people without mobility restrictions.
Public restrooms are available at both the Iron Goat Trail Interpretive parking lot and Wellington town site. No restrooms will be available during the hike itself.