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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|City=Mountain City
{{Infobox Trail
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
                    | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
|Trail Marking=Blue
                    | City = Mountain City
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Hunting
                    | State = Tennessee
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}} 
|Hike Time=2 day
                    | Difficulty Rating = Hard
|Trail Distance=17.75 mi
                    | Hike Time = 24+
|Round Trip Distance=17.75 mi
                    | Distance = 18
|Trail Type=One way
                    | Elevation Gain = up to 2200
|High Point=4,208 ft
                    | High Point = 4200
|Low Point=1,997 ft
                    | Latitude = N36°28.367
|Elevation Gain=3,043 ft
                    | Longitude = W81°56.917
|Elevation Loss=4,775 ft
                    | Medical = Mountain City, TN
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Parking location=36.47989, -81.96225
                    | googlemap =
|Trailhead location=36.47278, -81.94861
<googlemap lat="36.538330" lon="-81.832008"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
36.538330,-81.832008,Iron Mountain Trail - South
</googlemap>
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
Click Here for USFS Map of the Iron Mtn Trail: [https://caltopo.com/m/N1HN USFS Map of Iron Mtn Trail]
 
<!-- Start of Main Page -->


__TOC__
== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
IMT offers a more secluded experience with spectacular overlooks.  For this trail wiki, the trail is being listed as two major sections with the city of Damascus as the dividing point.
What is now the Iron Mountain Trail (IMT) was the route for Appalachain Trail until 1972 when a major relocation moved the AT away from all the communication towers over to the Roan Highlands.  Today, IMT offers a more secluded experience with spectacular overlooks.  For this trail wiki, the trail is being listed as two major sections with the city of Damascus as the dividing point.


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
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== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The southern IMT can be divided into four sections referenced below. Note that the Camp Ahistadi section is a spur trail off the main Iron Mountain Trail.
The [http://www.johnsoncountytrails.org/iron.html#4 Johnson County Trails] group has nicely divided the southern portion into sections, thus reference their webpage for access directions.


{| class="wikitable" border=1"
{| class="wikitable" border=1"
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!Trail Section
!Trail Section
!Distance (mi)
!Distance (mi)
!Elevation Gain and Loss (ft)
!Elevation (ft)
|----
|----
|Cross Mountain Road to Hwy 421
|Cross Mountain to Hwy 421
|5.1
|5.0
|1250, -1000
|3700 to 3900
|----
|----
|Hwy 421 (Sandy Gap) to Forest Service Road 322 (To get to Corinth Church, follow FS 322 SE for 0.7 miles)
|Hwy 421 to Corinth Church
|8.0
|8.7
|1300, -1650
|3900 to 2900
|----
|----
|Forest Service Road 322 to Intersection with Camp Ahistadi Spur Trail (This 1.4 Mile Spur Trail Leads to Camp Ahistadi)
|Corinth Church to Camp Ahistadi
|2.7
|6.0
|650, -750
|2900 to 2300
|----
|----
|Intersection with Camp Ahistadi Spur Trail to Damascus (Orchard Hill Road)
|Camp Ahistadi to Damascus
|2.5
|4.1
|100, -1550
|2300 to 2000
|----
|----
|}
|}


Elevation change given from south to north direction.  The trail is marked by blue blazes with metal yellow mile markers (some missing). Note that the Camp Ahistadi Trail is also marked with blue blazes so be attentive to the signs at the intersection of these trails.
Elevation change given from south to north direction.  The trail is marked by blue or yellow blazes with metal yellow mile markers (some missing).
 
NOTE ON PRIMITIVE CAMP WATER SOURCES: Some springs may not be flowing during dry periods. The most reliable source of water is  about 7 miles from Cross Mt Road where three different streams cross the trail in the course of about 0.5 miles. Link to a map showing water sources: https://caltopo.com/m/N1HN
 
The first section appears to be a favorable day hike with a car shuttle. 


<u>Spur trail from  Ahistadi UMC Camp</u>
The first section appears to be favorable day hike with a car shuttle.   
<br>Park along TN91 outside, but not blocking, camp gate.  Enter camp, cross bridge, and then take right to follow stream to trailhead (N36°35.864, W81°45.382).  Trail is a steep path UP with essentially no switchbacks.  Some additional blue blazing would be helpful to ensure remaining on the trail instead of following an animal run.  1.4 mile distance climbing ~1220 feet net.


A loop hike of about 45 miles can be created by hiking this part of the Iron Mountain Trail along with the Appalachian Trail. Best would be to start at Damascus, head south on IMT, cut over on Cross Mountain Road for bit over a mile to Hwy TN-91, and then return north bound on the AT.  This circuit can be completed in four days.
A loop hike of about 45 miles can be created by hiking this part of the Iron Mountain Trail along with the Appalachian Trail. Best would be to start at Damascus, head south on IMT, cut over on Cross Mountain Road for bit over a mile to Hwy TN-91, and then return north bound on the AT.  This circuit can be completed in four days.
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== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Iron Mountain Trail is located in Cherokee National Forest (known as Forest Service Trail 54) and maintained by the [http://www.hiketennessee.net/ Mid-Appalachian Highlands] and Johnson County Hiking (miles 11 thru 13) clubs.  Typical condition has been reported as being in good shape with blowdowns promptly removed.  There are no shelters, but several campsites exists.  Available water supplies may be limited on the ridgeline.  Another observation is that IMT has many ups-and-downs.
Iron Mountain Trail is located in Cherokee National Forest (known as Forest Service Trail 54) and maintained by the [http://www.hiketennessee.net/ Mid-Appalachian Highlands] and Johnson County Hiking (miles 11 thru 13) clubs.  Typical condition has been reported as being in good shape with blowdowns promptly removed.  There are no shelters, but several campsites exists.  Available water supplies may be limited on the ridgeline.  Another observation is that IMT has more ups-and-downs which would have been typical for the early AT route - before all of the relocations and improvements have smoothed out the latter trail.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees or permits are required. Dogs are not allowed in the wilderness area in Tennessee.
 
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
 
 
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.55" lon="-81.832008" type="terrain" zoom="11" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Iron Mountain Trail.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/AT_for_IMT_Circuit_Hike.kml
 
(G) 36.47278, -81.94861
Cross Mountain trailhead
(G) 36.49722, -81.88639
Hwy 421 access point
(G) 36.56667, -81.79333
Corinth Church access point
(G) 36.59806, -81.75444
Camp Ahistadi access point
(G) 36.625, -81.77222
Damascus trailhead
(F) 36.50903, -81.98622
Double Springs shelter
(F) 36.58086, -81.90205
Abingdon Gap shelter
(A) 36.479887,-81.962247
AT Parking on TN 91 (3 spaces)
(A) 36.538835, -81.948426
AT Parking on US421 at Low Gap (10 spaces)
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<gallery>
{{Map Marker
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
|Icon Type=Point of interest
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Marker Title=Cross Mountain trailhead
Image:placeholder.jpg|caption
|Marker Location=36.47278, -81.94861
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
}}
</gallery>
{{Map Marker
 
|Icon Type=Campground
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 700ft west of campsite
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Camping]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]
|Marker Location=36.47290, -81.93127
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 700ft west of campsite
|Marker Location=36.49315, -81.89897
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Hwy 421 access point
|Marker Location=36.49722, -81.88639
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 500ft northwest of campsite
|Marker Location=36.51227, -81.86998
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, a stream crosses the trail 700ft southwest of campsite, also water 600ft northeast of the camp
|Marker Location=36.516293, -81.860756
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 500ft northwest of campsite
|Marker Location=36.543316, -81.8294
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Corinth Church access point
|Marker Location=36.56667, -81.79333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 200ft northwest of campsite
|Marker Location=36.576073, -81.79413
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Primitive Tent Camping, water 500ft south of campsite
|Marker Location=36.581768, -81.78852
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Campground
|Marker Title=Two Primitive Tent Camping Areas about 200ft apart, water 500ft northeast of the lower campsite
|Marker Location=36.59448, -81.774826
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Camp Ahistadi access point
|Marker Location=36.59806, -81.75444
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Damascus trailhead
|Marker Location=36.625, -81.77222
}}
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