With all the snow in the Cascades this winter it will be a while until the Iron Goat Trail opens. In the past year there has been some changes in the trail at Wellington. The original Cascade Tunnel(1900-1929) has started to fail inside about 1000 feet in from the west portal. The trail has been closed due to the danger of flash floods from the tunnel. At this time everything is still snowed in and unaccessable. This summer if hiking the trail DO NOT go past the point the trail is closed at Wellington.
Not that I have been able to find. The WaDOT owns the trail, and there is no word on repairs, thought there is a word of caution about the tunnel collapse.
I'd be surprised that in the future, there isn't some aggitation to bypass the tunnel, or make repairs. Those hikers are a determined bunch. I just hope they have it walled off solidly. So some fool doesn't get hurt. Boxcab E50
From the home page of the Iron Goat Trail website, there is a warning that "*CAUTION* Wellington spur trail to Old Cascade Tunnel closed due to flash-flood hazard. Possible flash floods from tunnel due to debris dam failure from tunnel collapse. Stay out of tunnel and clear of entrance for at least 300 yards.*CAUTION*" But, agreed, nothing on the state DOT site to suggest when or if repairs are being contemplated.
