Iron Goat Trail 05-28-19

AppleWatch Stats:  6.02 miles RT (went West along the lower grade, up to the higher grade and then down the switchbacks), 723 ft of elevation gain.

Last year I discovered that this ointment called "Green Goo" that I'd gotten from an outdoor company was a wonder at soothing wasp stings.  It needs reapplied every time the hurt comes back, but reduced pain and swelling.  Similarly, the green trails of the Pacific Northwest are the green goo that soothes when the heart and soul are stung by various things in life.  Again it needs reapplied often, but I am not going to complain about that!

This was a gorgeous sunny day to take a hike, and I headed up to Iron Goat with Cedar and Luna.  I felt kind of bad because Adventure Dog is getting older and he was a bit tired from the hike the day before and Luna just hates going in the car.  But my heart was in need of some green goo and it works better when my pups are along.  I picked this trail because of the length still being a decent length, but easy as far as elevation gain so I wouldn't push Cedar too hard.

The wildflowers were stupendous!  Wild strawberry, flowering currant, thimbleberry flowers, a lady slipper orchid, coral root, bleeding heart, Indian paintbrush, columbine, tall bluebells, and numerous other flowers I am not sure the name of.

Of course one of the biggest draws with this trail is the railroad history.  This trail follows the lower and upper grades of an old railroad line, in fact the site of one of this country's biggest railway disasters.  There are many tunnels in varying degree of erosion and vast stretches of concrete wall that once supported snowsheds, the hope in vain was to protect the railroad.  I love these great walls, splashed with various colors of mineral, lichen and moss.  Numerous little waterfalls cascade over them and one even has a little stream flowing down a channel at the bottom.

From the upper grade there are some decent views of the surrounding peaks as well, and if you're lucky you might see a train across the valley on the active rail line.  I heard a couple going through (sadly you'll also hear Hwy 2 almost the whole time), but didn't catch one of the trains during a time I passed by an overlook.

Happy adventuring!

Forgot my cap and made do with a handkerchief, which I had never done before, so my hair ended up knotted in it lol

Last of 2012 and First of 2013!

Wow! I knew I had not blogged for the last Month or so of 2012, but didn't realize my last post was August! I will use this blog entry to highlight the last 3 months of last year and post a couple pictures from the new year. I should have a new hike or two to blog about next week!
One of the hikes I haven't included yet is Pilchuck. Dave and I took Adventure Dog all the way up to the lookout, and it was gorgeous!

We went on a trip to my Dad's place in Northeastern Washington, and got in some great views on the trip to and from, some wonderful family time, fishing (Cedar had to roll in a rotten sun-baked fish) and some canooing.

Dave and My Dad

My sister.

Grouse

Yours Truly

 I scrambled up Oyster Dome yet again, with Justus and Adventure Dog...

Dave and I took Cedar and Junior on the Iron Goat Trail to get some fall leaf pictures.  We got our lovely autumn shots on the lower grade, but when we got to the upper grade, the snow level dropped... right on us!  So we got some winter wonderland type pictures as well!  It was a really fun and magical hike.

 

Before Snow

After Snow

We got in a nice trip to my Mom and Aunt's beach cabin, and got to join in a crab pot pulling adventure.  Not only did we get to be part of the crabbing, but got some fantastic views of the Hood Canal Bridge and saw quite a few porpoises!

My Sis, My Mom, and Me (not in that order)

So that was the last bit of 2012.  This year is looking promising already.  The eagles that Dave and I always see on our Snohomish canal dike walk are back.  I am calling them Spirit and River.

I was even surprised and delighted to see an eagle from my home-office window the other day!  Even from a distance, these striking birds are impressive!

The air quality hasn't been too good, and we have been living in a fog bank for a few days, but such conditions bring about some lovely sunsets!

 Due to the very cold weather (for here), I put out some bird seed for the little feathered guys, hoping to help give them energy until the winter warms up a little.  I don't think it will be long now... I already have bulbs coming up.  Anyway, this cheeky squirrel was scooping up the seeds by the armload.

Happy 2013!  Commence the hiking!  Adventure on!