Iron Mountain Trail - South
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Trail Overview
What is now the Iron Mountain Trail (IMT) was the route for Appalachian 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
The first/southernmost section can be thru-hiked either direction with a car shuttle.
From Johnson City, TN:
- Take US-321 north to Elizabethton (10 miles).
- Turn left/north at the traffic light onto TN-37/TN-91.
- After quickly crossing the river, exit right onto TN-91/New Stony Creek Rd.
- Continue towards Shady Valley for 18 miles.
- 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
The Johnson County Trails group has nicely divided the southern portion into sections, thus reference their webpage for access directions.
| 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.
Spur trail from Ahistadi UMC Camp
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.
Typical Conditions
Iron Mountain Trail is located in Cherokee National Forest (known as Forest Service Trail 54) and maintained by the 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.
No fees or permits are required. Dogs are not allowed in the wilderness area in Tennessee.