With these summer like
days, sometimes it is easy to fantasize about stepping onto a trail and
walking across some of the nation’s most spectacular alpine regions.
Well in Western Washington this is possible. The development
of the Iron Horse Trail, (also known as the John Wayne Pioneer Trail),
intersects the southern
edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area at Snoqualmie Pass, and lives
up
to it’s name ‘Iron Horse’, which is what I will refer to it has,
instead of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. John Wayne has enough
notoriety to his name. The old Milwaukee railroad grade ran from Cedar Falls near North Bend, Washington to Chicago some 2300 miles plus, eastward. The rail line service was abandoned and years later the abandoned line became a part of the ‘Rails to Trails’ project in which thousands of miles of abandoned railroad grades were converted to hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Otherwise, good use of forgotten lands, all for the public interest.
The trail is very popular among mountain bikers and rock climbers, where there are various crags to practice your climbing skills, and considerable number of miles to pump through the gears on your bike. If you like horse riding, the trail offers a gingerly ride which looks to be level all the way. But, don’t be deceived, the trail has a constant five degree incline eastbound which has all the appearance of being level. But, if you are hiking this trail for many miles, five degrees can tend to work on you as you trek upon a hard pack gravel bed, covered with loose gravel.
Along the way you will notice mile markers stating the distance to Chicago as you tread onward. Although my goal was Carter Creek, where there is a nice campsite and a lovely creek cascading down through some granite boulders, shaded by aspen and willow trees. The trail has a lot more to offer then my destination. Eight miles above Carter Creek is the Snoqualmie Tunnel. Two point two (2.2) miles of pitch blackness punched through Snoqualmie pass offers up challenges all of it’s own. When you peer down to the other end of the tunnel and notice the pin point of white light at the other end, that is your exit.
The Iron Horse trail runs through a State park system by the same name, which could be safe to say that the Iron Horse State Park is the longest and narrowest park in the Nation. The park boarders not only private land but also the Cedar River Watershed Ecological Reserve which trespassing for both is prohibited. There are only a few authorized campsites along the way and stealth camping off the park land is also prohibited.
There are many side trails off of the Iron Horse Trail which can detour you into another adventure. Moving eastbound from Cedar Falls, you will find trails which will take you up to Cedar Butte or down to Twin Falls. Further along is the Mount Washington Trail, which also contains additional crags for you rock climbing enthusiast. After Mount Washington you can step onto the McClellan Butte Trail, a mile high climb in the Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. If you camp out at Carter Creek, jump up in the morning and trek up to Annette Lake. Nestled at the 4000 foot level, below Humpback Mountain, this trek is very well worth it. And if you still have a pack full of energy left, drudge back down to the Iron Horse Trail, cross the tunnel and camp out at Cold Creek on the shores of Keetchelus Lake.
In any case, the Iron Horse Trail is an adventure that will satisfy any outdoors enthusiast with an appetite to ‘Get Out of Dodge’.