Iron Goat Trail, Mountain hiking trail in King County, United States.
The Iron Goat Trail extends through 6 miles of forest terrain, featuring old railway tunnels, cement snow sheds, and mountain vistas along its path.
Built in 1893, this former Great Northern Railway route served as a vital transportation link until 1929, when newer infrastructure made it obsolete.
The trail preserves the legacy of Japanese immigrant workers who contributed their labor and skills to construct the original railway infrastructure.
Visitors need a Northwest Forest Pass to access the parking area at Martin Creek trailhead, which accommodates 20 vehicles and includes vault toilets.
Distance markers along the path still display the original mileage calculations to Chicago, reflecting the railway's continental reach during its operation.
Location: King County
GPS coordinates: 47.71143,-121.16167
Latest update: March 16, 2025 19:03
Washington holds far more than the well-known attractions of Seattle and Mount Rainier. Across the state, dozens of less-visited sites offer insight into the region's geological history, military past, and natural diversity. From waterfalls to ancient forests to historic lighthouses and military fortifications, Washington presents a substantial range of landscapes and cultural sites. Palouse Falls in Franklin County drops 198 feet (60 meters) into a basalt gorge, while Cape Flattery at the northwesternmost point of the continental United States looks out over jagged cliffs and the open Pacific. Ape Caves in Skamania County is one of the longest lava tube systems in the country, and Beacon Rock rises 848 feet (260 meters) above the Columbia River. The Trail of the Patriarchs leads through centuries-old Douglas firs and cedars, and Deception Pass Bridge connects Whidbey Island to the mainland via a 180-foot (55-meter) steel structure from 1935. Fort Worden in Port Townsend served as a coastal defense installation, and the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle documents the Asian American history of the Pacific Northwest. Dry Falls in Grant County shows the remains of an Ice Age waterfall that was once wider than Niagara Falls. Mima Mounds in Thurston County forms a field of hundreds of symmetrical earth mounds whose formation continues to be scientifically debated. These sites offer practical alternatives to the crowded main attractions and allow for deeper engagement with Washington's natural and historical features.
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