Editing Iron Mountain Trail - North

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{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
                     | City = Damascus
                     | State = Virginia
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}} {{Camping}} {{Horses}} {{Shelter}}  
                     | Difficulty Rating = Hard
                     | Hike Time = 18+
                     | Distance = 24 
                     | Elevation Gain = 600-700
                     | High Point = 4,626
                     | Latitude = N36°28.367 
                     | Longitude = W81°56.917
                     | Medical = Abingdon, VA
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                     | googlemap = 
<googlemap lat="36.63977" lon="-81.75339"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
36.63977,-81.75339,Iron Mountain Trail - North
</googlemap>
}}
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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 Appalachain 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 ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
Southern access is from Beartree Recreation Area, such as Lum Trail, which begins at the Chimpmunk Loop of the camground.  (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? -->

== 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 ==
<!-- 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="36.63977" lon="-81.75339" 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_North.kml

(G) 
trailhead
(G) 
access point
(G) 
access point
(G) 
access point
(G) 
Damascus trailhead
(F) 36.637777, -81.713251
Saunders Shelter
(F) 36.663040, -81.707572
Sandy Flats Shelter
(A) 
Parking 
(A) 
AT 
</googlemap>

== 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]]