Cascade Station

East Portal of the old Cascade Tunnel in 1994.

The east portal of the old Cascade Tunnel, and the site of Cascade Station, originally called Tunnel City, can be reached by following Forest Service Road 6980. This road leads right up to the tunnel, and you can drive right up to the portal, though obstructions inside prevent actually driving through. Some searching will reveal foundations from buildings at Cascade Station as well. Cascade Tunnel Station was at an elevation of 3,382 feet above sea level, and was the highest point on the Stevens Pass line once the Cascade Tunnel opened.

East Portal of the old Cascade Tunnel in 1994.

This Cascade Tunnel was abandoned in 1929 with the rest of this route when the new Cascade Tunnel opened between Scenic and Berne. The land was turned over to the U. S. Forest Service, which blocked the portals of the tunnel for many years. Eventually, the U. S. Government reopened the tunnel and used it as a storehouse for a time, but was largely ignored until the Iron Goat Trail was built to the west portal.

East Portal of the old Cascade Tunnel in 2000.

Historical Photos:
Train exiting the East Portal (UW)
Last train over old line at Berne, January 12, 1929 (UW)
East Portal, with doors when used as storage (UW)
East Portal, with doors when used as storage (UW)

Continue to Bygone Byways Interpretive Trail…