[Nancyann]

This was a fun little mini adventure out of Big Eddy Park on the outskirts of Gold Bar. Hiking Partner had been looking at ways to go up Haystack Mountain that didn’t require a long roadwalk on the much-hated F.S. Road 62.

Haystack Mountain from Big Eddy Park 1/26/19

Skykomish River at Big Eddy Park 1/26/19

He thought there might be a way to get up on a road that switchbacked up the mountain by walking along the railroad tracks from Big Eddy Park. Indeed there was a bramble covered path that did just that.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

I wasn’t too excited about walking alongside the tracks, but right before we got there, two trains went by, so I was hoping our timing was good.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

It took about ten minutes to reach an old road on the south side of the tracks which connected to the logging road which switchbacked up the mountain.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

The road climbed steeply and very soon we began to enjoy some nice territorial views.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

After a couple of miles, the road ended below the summit of Haystack and we found an excellent viewpoint where we sat and had lunch.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

On the way back down, we got a view of Mt. Persis.

Big Eddy Park to Haystack Mountain 1/26/19

We managed to make it back to the parking lot a few minutes before the next train came by, thankfully. I don’t plan on doing this one again, as walking longside the tracks put me a little too far out of my comfort zone , but it was a fun little weekend excursion with good elevation gain and great views.

Gold panning at Big Eddy Park on the Skykomish River 1/26/19

Gold panning at Big Eddy Park on the Skykomish River 1/26/19