Iron Mtn Through a Foggy Lens 1-24-09

[Dave G]

Norma and I climbed Big Iron (her first time, my third) on a rainy, foggy Saturday. The upside: we didn't need to carry as much water as usual on this hike due to the weather conditions. The downside: we ended up carrying it anyway due to our clothes being soaked all day . Even though the rain-related issues resulted in a 12 hour hike, we made it fun nevertheless. And the only other humans we saw all day were the prospectors at the river. Pics are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21042415@N02/sets/72157612934040889/
Dave

[Zé]

nice job!

a group of us were just beneath you around Allison Mine. we did a loop and took the heaton flat trail back down to the cars ~ 3 -4 pm.

your weather conditions were about the same as mine the first time I ascended iron, no view from the summit. i went once after and it really has great views. hopefully you'll go another time!

[lilbitmo]

Nice work, nice pic's

It was the same weather in Tamarack Valley, Thursday and Friday but loved it anyway.

[NormaR]

Foggy, cloudy, wet, but as always fun! It's great to be in the mountains.

The disadvantages of the weather are evident, but the advantage was the scree and sand on the steep slopes was firm from the moisture.

my pix are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ryan.norma8 ... tain12408#

norma

[lilbitmo]

Norma and Dave, Great Pictures.

It seems lately that right when I'm thinking about doing a particular trial you are one week ahead of me. Been thinking about Iron for a week or so, then you post it.

Nice work, glad to see the weather does not stop you guys.

[NormaR]

lilbitmo,

wise hiking minds think almost alike??

well, you should have great weather and nice terrain conditions.

have fun!

[Zé]

Do you guys have an idea of what the snow level was? 7500 ft?

[NormaR]

Iron is 8k. so i'd say between 7.5 and 8k. but there wasn't much. just a few patches. I saw it hailed in Azusa on Sunday, so i'm not sure what happened up there.

[beastie]

Dave and Norma,

Good pics, thanks for sharing. It seemed fun in the rain.

Where is the trailhead located? (Streets/general directions) Also, what’s the elevation gain? Would you recommend crampons?

I would like an idea about the trail to Iron in comparison to the Mt. Baldy Trail I hiked on Monday; started at about 6000ft and peaked roughly at 9000ft and. Lots of snow!

Thanks in advance.

[AlanK]

Manker Flats to Baldy and back is all up, then all down, 4000' elevation change in about 4 miles of nice trail each way.

Heaton Flats to Iron involves over 7000' of up and down (6000' net -- there is a fair amount of up and down both ways) in 7+ miles each way. The last 3 miles up involve 3500' of net climbing. Calling it twice as hard as the Ski Hut trail is understating things.