Exploration-Northwest: John Wayne Iron Horse Trail-11/2014

What the hell is RAGNAR?
   I began this railtrail hike at the Rattlesnake lake parking lot (south off Exit 32- I-90) and started walking eastbound towards Snoqualmie Pass. I wanted to walk some miles, and ended up walking about 11.5-12.0 miles, round trip.
   Soon after starting, a damn mountain biker scared the crap out of me (I have a mountain bike too), but would it be too much to ring ring ring a little bell?!! while travelling at mach 2 along the path. Anyway, not to be detered from a wonderful walk, I continued eastbound listening to the sounds of I-90, and watching as a beautiful hawk swooped down along the hill in front of me. Later, as I was powering through mile 3 or so, I noticed movement in the forest just to my left. A young buck was standing about 20 feet off the trail and casually turned towards me. I'm not sure if that area was open to hunting at that time, but the buck with a new rack (4 point? 2 on each side?) wasn't too concerned about humans. I continued east and came to RAGNAR.
   I'm guessing the RAGNAR sign (see pic) has something to do with a construction yard of some type that was utilized by the railroad back in the day. The clearing next to the sign has piles of old timbers, metal things, and gravel in it. It also had several large Elk prints. I believe they were Elk because of their size. I continued past RAGNAR, and at mile 5 or so I found the Exit 38 rock climbing area that is managed by Washington State parks. It looks like a challenging rock climb, and they have several routes with anchors already on the wall. Just past the rock climbing area are two large tresels. I walked over each of them, and then turned around and headed back. Half way back, the sky opened up and rain rain rain! Here are the pics--