Iron Goat Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The majority of the trail is flat and the bottom half, which can be done as an out and back, is wheelchair accessible and is easy for any type of hiker in need of a more relaxed walk. To do the full loop of the trail, you'll need to be comfortable with a rather steep climb up, followed by another flat portion of less developed trail, and ending with a steep descent back down to the beginning of the trail.

The beginning part of this loop contains almost three miles of ADA accessible trail, and it is both fascinating and beautiful. It is a wide trail with wooden bridges across small creeks making the journey easy on wheelchairs. Waterfalls spew over the old structures and there are several old tunnels with trails going up to the opening and collapsed timbers that once were protection from the snow. Many of the tunnels and snow bridges were built after the Wellington Avalanche Disaster to better protect the trains from snow.

There are more than tunnels and timber to tell the rail story (do not enter tunnels due to unsafe conditions). Signs along the way also tell of the people that built the railway. In a little over three miles, reach the paved turn off to the right and the start of the alternative trailhead by the red caboose.

A variety of trees and brush along the path.