View Full Version : Iron Mt Trail AT loop
I'm off this morning to hike the Iron Mt. Trail into Damascus starting from where the AT crosses TN 91 in Shady Valley and come back to my car south on the AT. Should make a nice 40 mile loop. Weather is going to be gorgeous the next 2 days.
Trivia: the previous times I've hiked the Iron Mt. Trail I've seen a bear.
Mr. Bumpy
02-23-2021, 14:26
You picked the good weather week. Enjoy it!
You picked the good weather week. Enjoy it!
Weather was perfect! I didn't see another person on the Iron Mt. Trail (expected) nor the AT (unexpected). I made it to Damascus off the IMT around 2:00 PM, had a burger an tater tots and then hiked 6 miles out of Damascus to get that climb out of the way. I started hiking at 3:45 AM this morning to a bright moon and lights flickering in the valley below. It was an awesome hike!
Alligator
02-24-2021, 14:21
Was another fellow looking for information about the Iron Mountain Trail in another thread (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/138948-Experience-with-AT-and-Iron-Mountain-Trail?p=2281446) just recently if you have a chance.
Mr. Bumpy
02-25-2021, 01:05
I'm off this morning to hike the Iron Mt. Trail into Damascus starting from where the AT crosses TN 91 in Shady Valley and come back to my car south on the AT. Should make a nice 40 mile loop. Weather is going to be gorgeous the next 2 days.
Trivia: the previous times I've hiked the Iron Mt. Trail I've seen a bear.
I've done a circuit a couple of times on the north side of Damascus from Beartree Campground and once I did a figure-eight from Damascus. That area can't be beat and the next time I can grab a week to myself i'll be back and do the figure eight again.
Is this the loop? https://www.backpacker.com/trips/mount-rogers-national-recreation-area-iron-mountain-loop/
Mr. Bumpy
02-25-2021, 10:10
Is this the loop? https://www.backpacker.com/trips/mount-rogers-national-recreation-area-iron-mountain-loop/
No. Starting at Beartree I get on the IMT and run it north until it intersects with the AT. (It intersects at that new-ish shelter is it called Hurricane?). Then take the AT south going past Scales, Grayson Highlands, and back down to Beartree. It totals about 50 miles. Making the same loop but from Damascus is more like 75-80, and the figure 8 from Damascus is about 120.