Fall Flowering Crocus

Giant crocus catch the morning sun at the end of September.

Cascade Dawn

The Oak Harbor Marina, the North Cascades and the fog rolling in on the morning of September 27.

September Dawn

Dawn in Oak Harbor on September 27.

Iron Goat Trail Hike: first Cascade Tunnel

The western portal of the first Cascade Tunnel is at the east end of the Iron Goat Trail. The 2.6 mile long tunnel was completed in 1900 and used by the Great Northern Railway until 1929. The company had decided in the mid-1920s to build a new tunnel at a lower elevation to avoid the harsh winter snow. The western portal of the second Cascade Tunnel is shown below, as seen from the Iron Goat Trail. It was completed in 1929 and is 7.8 miles long.

Iron Goat Trail Hike: the Snowshed

Going through the all concrete snow shed near the east end of the trail was an eerie experience. Great Northern Railway trains passing through were protected from heavy snowfall and possible avalanche until this line was abandoned in 1929.

The shed shows deterioration on the west end.

Iron Goat Trail Hike: trail views

Much of the trail followed along the side of tall snow barriers. This part of the trail is relatively flat, gaining only 300 feet in over two miles.

Mileposts indicate the distance from St. Paul, Minnesota.

We passed by this collapsed wooden show shed. It had been built in 1910 and was left when the line was abandoned in 1929.

The wild flowers were beautiful. Some of the path was overgrown and we fought stinging nettles. 

Iron Goat Trail Hike: the Butterflies

The only animals we saw on the hike were a couple of butterflies.

Iron Goat Trail Hike: the Name

The Iron Goat Trail gets its name from the symbol of the Great Northern Railway company. It follows the railroad grade used by the trains on the west side of the Cascade Mountains from 1900 to 1929.

While the rails are long gone, one can still see evidence of the railroad line along the trail.

Iron Goat Trail Hike: Windy Point Tunnel

We came to the Windy Point Tunnel at the top of the crossover trail. This railroad tunnel was completed in 1914 and was used by the Great Northern Railway until 1929 when a new tunnel was completed.

We hiked east along the side of the tunnel where there was firm footing but quite a drop off.

There are views along the trail of the valley below.

We caught glimpses of Highway 2 and the new rail line,

and the west mouth of the new tunnel, 7.8 miles long, completed in 1929.

The Windy Point Tunnel is a little over 1,200 feet long. This is the east end. The tunnel is closed to hikers because of the inner deterioration. 

Iron Goat Trail Hike: Windy Point Crossover Trail

We began our hike at the Scenic Interpretive Trailhead off Highway 2. What followed was a steep switchback trail that ended at the upper trail. We gained around 700 feet of elevation on the one mile trail. 

We got a few peeks at the Skykomish River valley, the path of Highway 2.

The crossover trail was just as steep going back down as we remembered going up.

Welcome Autumn

End of Summer

A very warm and dry summer has left the Olympic Mountains with little snow. September 15, from Whidbey Island.

Sunrise

Sunrise from Flintstone Park in Oak Harbor, September 15.

Oak Harbor Marina at Dawn

I was at Flintstone Park September 15.

California Poppy on a Log

I noticed this scene the last time I mowed the lawn.

Oak Harbor Dawn

Dawn, September 15, from SW Fairhaven Dr. (above) and SW Founders Dr (below).

Lavender

Heron

Misty Island Morning

The morning of September 12, 2017. Oak Harbor and the North Cascades.

Whidbey Rocks

I love this inspirational rock I see in a garden on my daily walk.

Rain

After the Rain