The Cascade Tunnel is the longest in the country. Opened in 1929 it is 7.79 miles long. Traffic us usually a train about once an hour. Until 1957 electric locomotives pulled trains between Skykomish and Wenatchee a distance of about 70 miles. While in the area visit the Iron Goat Trail and the original Cascade Tunnel. July through September are the best months. Winter in the mountains is brutal and can be deadly for the unprepared. Daypasses can be purchased in Skykomish at the ranger station on highway 2.
I've always liked the east portal, better than the west. Perhaps it's because of the bridge as pictured here. Boxcab E50
UPDATE The original Cascade Tunnel is failing and has partly caved in. There is evidently a debris dam inside the tunnel that holds water and backs up a lake. The water breaks through and causes a flood of water out of the west portal. The trail up to the portal has been closed off. The present Cascade Tunnel is in service as usual.
Mr. SP, thanks for the pics. Curious, what's the day pass for? Do you need it to walk or ride the Iron Goat now? I know that parking at Scenic is still free of charge, I just rolled up to their two weeks ago and stayed overnight in my motorhome. I also see that they are putting in another track at Scenic, I think its just for helpers possibly? To bad to hear about the original tunnel, I have always wanted to hold a party in it, but that obviously is now out of the question....
I was up there about three weeks ago. The west Portal is easily acessable and if careful you can cross the tracks. They acually built a rough crossing at the west portal for service vehicles. Also they errected a snow fence there. The east side was being worked on but interestingly enough there was a BNSF Truck with one of each of the three BN or BNSF Heralds on the side.
