Iron Mountain Trail - North: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.  
{{Infobox Trail
 
-->{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
                     | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
                     | City = Damascus
                     | City = Damascus
                     | State = Virginia
                     | State = Virginia
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}} {{Horses}} {{Shelter}}   
                    | Marking = *
                     | Difficulty Rating = Difficult
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}} {{Horses}} {{Shelter}}   
                     | Hike Time = 24+
                     | Difficulty Rating = Hard
                     | Distance = 18
                     | Hike Time = 18
                     | Elevation Gain = up to 2200
                     | Distance = 24
                     | High Point = 4200
                     | Elevation Gain = ~650
                     | Latitude = N36°28.367
                     | High Point = 4,626
                     | Longitude = W81°56.917
                     | Latitude = 36.63977
                     | Longitude = -81.75339
                     | Medical = Abingdon, VA
                     | Medical = Abingdon, VA
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
}}<!--  
                    | googlemap =
<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 - North
</googlemap>
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->


<!-- Start of Main Page -->
End Infobox template table
 
-->{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML = Yes
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox = Yes
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins = Yes
| Other =
| Comment =
| Date reviewed = 10/27/2015
}}<!-- Start of Main Page -->


== 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. -->
What is now the Iron Mountain Trail (IMT) was the route for Appalachain Trail until 1972 when a major relocation moved the AT.  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.
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 ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
The first/southernmost section can be thru-hiked either direction with a car shuttle.   
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 Johnson City, TN:
From Damascus, VA:
#Take US-321 north to Elizabethton (10 miles).
#Head east out of town on US-58 for just under eight miles.
#Turn left/north at the traffic light onto TN-37/TN-91.
#Turn left/north onto Beartree Gap Road and drive around three miles to campground.
#After quickly crossing the river, exit right onto TN-91/New Stony Creek Rd.
#Parking areas at each trailhead.
#Continue towards Shady Valley for 18 miles.
GPS address for Bear Tree Recreation Area is 20993 Beartree Gap Road, Damascus, VA 24236.
#Turn right onto Cross Mountain Road for 1.1 miles
#Look for radio towers on right for parking.
#Iron Mountain Trail is to the right of the gates to the Cross Mountain Subdivision.  (This is the southern terminus of IMT.)
#Backtrack to TN-91 and continue north for 3.6 miles to Shady Valley.
#Turn right/east where TN-91 intersects with TN-34/US-421.
#Proceed to the top of Iron Mountain.  
#Parking area is on the south side.
 
 
The northern end is roughly one mile south of Damascus, VA on Orchard Hill Road.  It is recommend that you park at a lot in town.


== 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 [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 ==
<!-- 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 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.
Iron Mountain Trail in Virginia is located in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.


==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 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 ==
== Misc. Information ==
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== Maps ==
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<!-- 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">
<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,
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Iron Mountain Trail.kml
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Iron_Mountain_Trail.kml">


(G) 36.47278, -81.94861
36.637777, -81.713251~Saunders Shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
Cross Mountain trailhead
36.663040, -81.707572~Sandy Flats Shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
(G) 36.49722, -81.88639
</display_map>
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 ==
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<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Difficult]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Camping]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Horse Riding]]
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Camping]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Horse Riding]]

Latest revision as of 12:12, 7 January 2023

File:Placeholder.JPG
Trail Name Iron Mountain Trail - North
Nearest City Damascus
State Virginia
Trail Marking
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr bike.png Dnr dog.png Dnr camp.png Dnr horse.png Dnr shelter.png
Difficulty Rating Hard
Hiking Time 1818 Hours <br />1.125 Days <br />1,080 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip 2424 mi <br />38.624 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation ~650"~" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property. / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 4,6264,626 Feet <br />1,542 Yards <br />1,410.005 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Abingdon, VA
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map

Trail Overview[edit]

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[edit]

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:

  1. Head east out of town on US-58 for just under eight miles.
  2. Turn left/north onto Beartree Gap Road and drive around three miles to campground.
  3. Parking areas at each trailhead.

GPS address for Bear Tree Recreation Area is 20993 Beartree Gap Road, Damascus, VA 24236.

Route Description[edit]

Typical Conditions[edit]

Iron Mountain Trail in Virginia is located in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

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. Beartree Recreation Area website

Misc. Information[edit]

Maps[edit]

Loading map...

Photos[edit]