Hi, I'm John Williams. Welcome to another Accessible Adventure In The Pacific Northwest.
We're on the Stevens Pass Greenway, a National Scenic Byway.
Now maybe you've traveled this road before, but if you're like me you probably
didn't slow down enough to see what the Pass offers off the road.
So on this trip we're gonna take our time.
After spending the night in Everett, we head east on US Highway 2, the Stevens Pass Greenway.
Stevens Pass, is named for John Frank Stevens, who in 1890, working for the Great Northern
Railway, determined it to be suitable for an east-west rail line through the Cascades.
This Adventure takes us through little towns and hamlets that are ready to serve up mountain
mountain hospitality and charm.
We took the time for a railroad ride, and a tour through the recently restored Skykomish
Great Northern Railway Depot, where Kevin and his crew painstakingly preserve this historic treasure.
All aboard.
This is one of the most fun things I've ever driven. Woo woo!
Next up, a stroll through some of the breath taking scenery you'll only see off the byway.
This is Deception Falls.
Some websites and guide books may tell you the trails are accessible, but true to the
falls name, they're not all accessible. I found plenty to see on the parts that are.
Parts of the trail are paved, some hard packed dirt, and it's a little steep in places, but
pretty easy going.
The Lower Falls are not wheelchair accessible. You know I had to try it, but even I am not going to go over this part of it.
Getting to the upper falls is much easier, thanks to this bridge, and viewing area.
Wheelchairs will have to return the way you came. But if you're able to climb these stairs, it's
an easy walk to the parking lot.
Well, after a quick bite of lunch, it's time to take a hike!
We're taking a little trip through time here and traveling along the old Cascade Highway. Our next stop, a hike along the Iron Goat Trail.
The trailhead starts out as boardwalk then hardback gravel and finally near the end of the trail it's paved. in places. This part of the trail is boardwalk,
It's 2.8 miles to the Iron Goat Interpretive Site.
Now for the most part, it's an easy push in a wheelchair, with the exception of about oh 50
feet of trail or so that gets pretty narrow, and grown over with vegetation.
I kept asking out loud, how did these guys do this, with the equipment available 100 years ago?
Finally, Make a legal U Turn at Stevens Pass Ski Resort, come back to mile post 64.
Located on the "old" Cascade Highway, is the site of the former town of Wellington.
Here at Wellington Trailhead you'll find accessible facilities. The trail to the disaster site
is hard packed gravel. Boardwalks will get you over the wet areas and when you reach the
snowshed, old railroad ties and timbers, will transport you back in time.
Roll onto the obsevation deck at the disaster site. View the interpretive signs as you pause
pause and learn the fate of the town, and the people stranded in their train, while stuck in the snow.
For our more mobile hikers, the trail does continue for about 2 miles to the Iron Goat
Interpretive Site.
Back on the Greenway, we drive pass Stevens Pass Ski Resort,
We'll visit here on another accessible adventure.
We'll round out our Accessible Adventure with a stop at the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth!
How's that old saying go, when in Rome a... well you know. There are restaurants, pubs, and plenty of shops.
Hey, I hope you've enjoyed our trip along the Stevens Pass Greenway, there's so much to do and see along this route
Be sure and check the website for more details.
After a fun time in Leavenworth, we're going to hit the road and find our next adventure. I'm John Williams,
I'll see you again real soon.