The Great Northern RR Disaster, Stevens Pass, WA

Thanks, Tim McGraw. 

I know this drive and area well. I’ve driven over Stevens Pass dozens of times and hiked and snowshoeed at Stevens Pass (Highway 2).

The highway and the newer RR tunnel are on the south side of the pass. The RR disaster happened on the northern side of the pass. As one drove up Hwy 2 from the west, I could see the snow sheds and the scene of the RR disaster on the other side of the valley. I don’t remember a trail to them back in the day, or a road.

The trail the videographers hike on is surrounded by Devil’s Club. That name is no lie. It is a horrible plant covered in thick thorns.

The abandoned snow sheds look like the Mines of Moria in “Fellowship of the Ring.” No doubt it was an inspiration for the movie artists.

The new RR tunnel is one of the longest in North America. When the trains reach Seattle, they are covered in grime from the diesel smoke in the tunnel.