Editing Iron Mountain Trail - North

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-->{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
                     | City = Damascus
                     | State = Virginia
                     | Marking = *
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}} {{Horses}} {{Shelter}}  
                     | Difficulty Rating = Hard
                     | Hike Time = 18
                     | Distance = 24 
                     | Elevation Gain = ~650
                     | High Point = 4,626
                     | Latitude = 36.63977 
                     | Longitude = -81.75339
                     | Medical = Abingdon, VA
}}<!-- 

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 | Date reviewed = 10/27/2015
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== 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. -->
What is now the Iron Mountain Trail (IMT) was the route for Appalachian Trail until 1972 when a major relocation moved the AT over to the Grayson 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.

North of Damascus, the Iron Mountain Trail is multi-use, thus appears to be very popular with mountain bike riders as a technical challenge.

== How to get there ==
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Southern access is from Beartree Recreation Area, such as Lum Trail, which begins at the Chimpmunk Loop of the campground.  (Note: Campground gate only open 7AM to 10PM during April 15 through October.)

From Damascus, VA:
#Head east out of town on US-58 for just under eight miles.
#Turn left/north onto Beartree Gap Road and drive around three miles to campground.
#Parking areas at each trailhead.
GPS address for Bear Tree Recreation Area is 20993 Beartree Gap Road, Damascus, VA 24236.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
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"
|-
!Trail Section
!Distance (mi)
!Elevation (ft)
|----
|Cross Mountain to Hwy 421
|5.0
|3700 to 3900
|----
|Hwy 421 to Corinth Church
|8.7
|3900 to 2900
|----
|Corinth Church to Camp Ahistadi
|6.0
|2900 to 2300
|----
|Camp Ahistadi to Damascus
|4.1 
|2300 to 2000
|----
|}

Elevation change given from south to north direction.  The trail is marked by blue or yellow blazes with metal yellow mile markers (some missing).

The first section appears to be favorable day hike with a car shuttle.  

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.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Iron Mountain Trail in Virginia is located in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No permits for hiking, horseback riding, or backpacking, unless you are using a fee area to gain access to the Iron Mountain Trail. If so, day use fees run $5 per vehicle. [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=73579&actid=50 Beartree Recreation Area website]

== Misc. Information ==
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== Maps ==
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<display_map center="36.63977,-81.75339" type="terrain" zoom="11" width="auto" height="550" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/IMT_Spur_from_Ahistadi_Camp.kml,
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Iron_Mountain_Trail.kml">

36.637777, -81.713251~Saunders Shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
36.663040, -81.707572~Sandy Flats Shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:placeholder.jpg|caption
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</gallery>

<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Camping]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Horse Riding]]