There’s certainly no shortage of paranormal activity in Washington. From haunted houses to spooky old asylums and more, there’s plenty of places in the Evergreen State where you can check out creepy urban legends of the spirits of old that haunt locations throughout the state. However, a haunted hiking trail in Washington may seem like a bit of a stretch, at least, at first. But a recent list from The Travel Channel ranked the Scariest Haunted Hiking Trails in the U.S. and in a surprise to no one, the Iron Goat Trail in Washington ranked pretty highly. This trail is absolutely magnificent and one of the most beautiful in the state, but it’s a place with a tragic history. It’s no wonder that hiking there can feel a bit eerie.

The Iron Goat Trail is a six-mile hike that you'll find located in the Central Cascades, not far from Leavenworth.
Sam Barrett / alltrails.com
Despite its slightly extended length, it is considered a fairly easy hike. It's also incredibly scenic, with magnificent views throughout.
You'll walk along the old Great Northern Railroad grade that was built to span the Cascades way back in 1893.
Alicia David / alltrails.com
At the time of its construction, it was thought to be one of the best-engineered out of all the transcontinental railroads.
Unfortunately, this is also the site of the single deadliest avalanche in United States history. The tragedy that occurred here was one of the worst accidents in Washington history.
Christina Jahncke / alltrails.com
The Wellington Avalanche was a haunting event and it's no wonder it has spurred so many legends.

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As February 1910 drew to a close, the area was hit with a treacherous blizzard for more than nine days. Some hours were bringing nearly a foot of snow, and in one day, over 11 feet of snow fell.
John Fortner / alltrails.com
During this unforeseen blizzard, two trains were trapped at the Wellington Depot. This train station was located along what is now the Iron Goat Trail in Wellington, now a ghost town but once a bustling little railroad city.
Early on the morning of March 1, the snow was replaced with rain and wind. Just after 1:00 a.m., lightning struck the ground, breaking a slab of snow loose.
Eric Gorskie / alltrails.com
A huge mass of snow nearly half a mile long tumbled toward Wellington. The avalanche barrelled directly into the railroad depot. The sleeping train passengers were catapulted 150 feet downhill, into the Tye River Valley.
The horrible accident claimed the lives of 96 people.
Tim Benjamin / alltrails.com
Nearly two dozen survivors were pulled from the wreckage by railroad employees who were able to rush over and help. The snow didn't let up for quite a while, and it took even longer to fully melt. Most of the bodies from the accident were not able to be recovered until July of that year, over four months later.
The area is now a scenic hiking trail, but some hikers have reported hearing screams and other sounds, particularly inside the trail's tunnel.
Andrea Snyder / alltrails.com
Some even report seeing full-on apparitions, such as feeling as if hands were touching them. Others claim to feel goosebumps or their hair standing on end for no apparent reason.

The Iron Goat Trail is a beautiful, relaxing hike that’s one of the prettiest trails in Washington. Just be aware that you may end up seeing (or hearing) a little more than you bargained for if you choose to explore this area!

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More to Explore

Haunted Places In Washington

Lisa Sammons | August 22, 2022

What are some famous haunted places in Washington?

We have no shortage of haunted places in Washington - even if you're not particularly a believer in the supernatural, some places in the Evergreen State have so much history swirling around them that it's difficult to not feel a bit spooked when you're nearby. Cemeteries are, of course, often rumored to be haunted, and one of our most famous haunted cemeteries in Washington is Black Diamond Cemetery. There are plenty of ghost stories surrounding this graveyard!

What are the scariest abandoned places in Washington?

We actually have quite a few abandoned ghost towns in Washington. Some of them have few remaining structures and may be mostly lost to history, but some, like Melmont in the Mount Rainier area, still have decaying cars and a few buildings still standing.

What are the most famous unsolved mysteries in Washington?

Like most states, we've got more than our fair share of unsolved murders and crimes in Washington. Some less sinister mysteries in Washington include that of Mystery Rock, a strange rock a young boy found in the woods. It was covered in cryptographs and when he showed it to his parents, the family suddenly found wealth and good fortune.

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Iron Goat Trailhead, Iron Goat Trail, Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA