Opening of the IGT Interpretive Site

The new interpretive site at the Iron Goat Trail has just opened for the 2007 Season! Come out and enjoy the wonderful new kiosks, caboose, and parking area. Also enjoy the fact that when you park at the interpretive site you can hike the trail without having to purchase a forest service pass. Of course if you volunteer with VOW you will receive a free forest service pass and what better way to visit the trail than to give your time.

Newly Installed Great Northern Caboose at the Site

There was a ribbon cutting at the site last October that featured a number of notables including Kathy Lambert and Doug McDonald, WSDOT Secretary. See pictures from the event here.

-Sean

National Trails Day

June 2nd: Give back to our nation's trails!

Hosted by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day (NTD) is a nationwide effort to celebrate and give back to out nation's trails. Activities range from scouting, to guided hikes, and to construction and repair.

As I've mentioned before on this blog this winter there has been a great deal of flooding damage done to our state's trails. We have only just begun to assess the full extent of the work needed but, as you can see from this picture, our trails are in desperate need of repair.

Cascade Tunnel view of walkway that volunteers predict was picked
up and carried "down stream" from flooding of the tunnel.

Two Sites

For NTD we have two sites this year: The Iron Goat Trail and the Ira Spring Trail. As always for VOW work parties no experience is required and we will provide free snacks and water.

Free Food

At both sites we will be having a barbeque afterwards (bring your own lunch) and there will sure to be lots of free donated goodies you can take home for your efforts.

Sign Up!

For more information on the event and to see what other events are going on visit www.americanhiking.org and to volunteer sign up on VOW's event calendar. See you on the trail!

-Sean Bulthaup

Iron Goat Trail: 2007 Season

With spring comes melting snow in the high country and the beginning of the 2007 Iron Goat Trail season!

For those new to VOW, the Iron Goat Trail is located up on Stevens Pass is a rich part of VOW's history.


Where trains once thundered, volunteers are now constructing a historic recreational trail. The Iron Goat Trail goes eight miles through lovely forests of ferns, alders and evergreens from Martin Creek to the Wellington townsite and trailhead. The trail from Wellington to Windy Point Tunnel is barrier-free and there is another one-mile barrier-free segment near Martin Creek.


This past season work was completed on the Iron Goat Trail Interpretive Site. It features restrooms, parking, interpretive kiosks, and a restored Great Northern caboose. Below is a picture from our October 14th Ribbon Cutting.


Ultimately it is our volunteers who have built the Iron Goat Trail. For over 20 years and thousands of hours volunteers have constructed and maintained over 10 miles of trail much of which is ADA accessible.


Of course with the snow comes new trail damage and this year is no exception. Our volunteers are needed more than ever to make our trail beautiful. The photo below was taken a few months ago about 1/2 mile from the scenic trailhead.


So join the effort! Sign up to volunteer on our events calendar here and, if you haven't already, join as a member of VOW or renew your membership. For more information on the Iron Goat Trail visit www.irongoat.org.

-Sean Bulthaup

Iron Goat Trail Season Opener

You Are Invited

IRON GOAT TRAIL SEASON OPENER
Wednesday April 18, 2007 6:30—9:00 p.m.
The Mountaineers Building, 300 Third West, Seattle

Sign the 2007 Release Form and pick up the 2007 Iron Goat Trail Organization Chart and Work Party Schedule

Make the sandwich of your choice at the Sandwich Smorgasboard and enjoy meeting other volunteers.

At the Meeting hear about:
WSDOT plans for opening the new Iron Goat Interpretive Site.

See special power point presentations:
Construction of the Windy Point Hiker Trail
Maintenance plans to handle the tremendous amount of Winter Storm Damage
Volunteer work needed on the 1951 Great Northern Caboose

Help distribute the 2007 Iron Goat Brochures

Be sure to Sign Up On-Line : www.Trailvolunteers.org or Sign Up by phone: 206-517-3019
Indicate the type of sandwich you would prefer to make for yourself at the Sandwich Smorgasboard:

Beef, Ham, Tuna, Turkey, or Vegetarian

MARTIN CREEK TRAILHEAD DISCOVERY HIKE
See where we will be extending the Iron Goat Trail in 2008 & 2009
Saturday April 14, 2007 10:00 a.m.

Jim Mattson , Great Northern Railway Historian will show you the abutment and footings of the 165’ high trestle and the abutment of the upper trestle over Martin Creek as well as the switchback route used before the Horseshoe Tunnel was completed. It is important to go on this trip as soon after snow melt as possible so you can see where you put your own feet. Vegetation grows rapidly and obscures your view of the footings. You are fortunate to have a knowledgeable guide to tell the story about these fascinating remains of railroad structures.

Bring lunch, beverage and extra clothing in pack. Wear boots and appropriate clothing for the weather.

Be sure to sign up with Sheridan and Richard Botts 425-227-0431 to arrange time to meet and transportation from Bothell Park and Ride.