Iron Mountain Archives - Mark Lees Coaching

Iron Mountain, Poway CA 01/31/2020

Time to Hike: 10 AM-1:30 PM STEPS: 14,500 Distance: 6.8 miles out and back Hikeability: moderate to difficult Snacks/Water: Cliff bar, orange, tuna sandwich, 2L water Temp: 75 degrees

I am no stranger to hiking Iron Mountain, but it’s been a minute since I last have. In act its been at least a year-and-a-half A hike I had annually done 3-4 times all of a sudden felt very big and quite challenging. But, on this crystal clear indigo blue sky morning, Iron stands proud and awaits to be submitted.

Iron is located in Poway, CA at the intersection of Poway Rd. and Hwy. 67.

Parking is convenient and close to the trailhead. There are also concrete pit toilet restrooms off of the parking area. On the weekends the parking lot fills up quick and you may have to park along Hwy. 67.

Iron is one of my favorite trailhead welcomes. You are greeted by the iconic archways and then a 100 yards from there the ‘official” start, a dense canopy of oaks leads you fifty yards to the long open sandy trail start and your 3.3-mile trek to the summit. About a quarter of a mile from here you come to a side spur you can take right. You can also continue on along the more popular route going straight. I always appreciate options along the trail.

Either way, you can not get lost on this well-marked trail to the summit. The only differences are the views and trail composition. The more traditional route is rockier and eroded. The ‘short-cut’ spur is hard-packed sand through scrub oaks and low lying brush with a birds-eye view of the peak.

Each leads to the other and the same ascending single trail route to the peak. At the 1.5 mile mark, you will come to the mileage board indicating directions to key points along the way including the summit of Iron Mt.

The highlights of this hike begin at this stage of the hike. The incredible scenic views east of the Ramona foothills and the surrounding area of Julian, CA are breathtaking. Be sure you keep your eyes peeled for the ‘white cross’ tucked into the eastern mountainous landscape as you start to ascend.

This scenic hike does not disappoint in trail challenge and composition. Much of the time the trail is hard-packed sand to offer good footing. At times ankle-twisting jagged rock creates a true mountain adventure feel. As the trail ascends natural steps, slabs made of rock, help you navigate your climb to the peak. For me this is what makes this trail fun and spontaneous.

The last leg of the trail offers incredible views west including the parking lot far below, Hwy. 67 and on a clear day the Pacific Ocean. From this vantage point, you can gauge how high you have climbed. Look close and you can see Bernardo Mountain. Look north and you can see Iron’s sister hike, Mt. Woodson and the TV and radio towers adorning the Woodson summit.

Trekking on and as soon as you ask yourself, “when are we going to get to the top?” the trail unassumingly leads you to the summit.

The summit of iron is spread out allowing for different spots to rest, including a few picnic tables to share lunch at. ( how did they get these tables up here?). Scrub oak, low-lying brush and rock cover the top of Iron Stroll as far south as you can and you get a beautiful view of a pristine shimmering lake off in the distance.

From here you can see a wide expanse of the county in all directions. Being up here again reminds me this may be the best view from any peak in the county. This is a peak you do not mind spending a good amount of time at.

Another perk to this hike is although it over three miles back the scenic views along the way provide for a soothing different view of things. Before you know it you are passing the Helipad ( for emergency rescues) and coming up to the location/direction signboard and are only one and a half miles from the trailhead start.

When you come upon the section of the trail that offers the side spur back mix it up and choose the trail you did not take on the ascent.

Soon you will be approaching the Oak Grove canopy to guide you back to the trailhead start. Iron Mountain never disappoints with its scenic beauty, trail challenge and the sense of accomplishment you have hiked an adventurous mountain trail.

An added bonus and reward of hiking Iron Mountain and other Poway Peaks is the Stable Juice Smoothie shop at Twin Peaks and Espola Rds. The best smoothies in the county are served here. Treat yourself and bask in the accomplishment of the hike.

Iron Mountain, Poway, CA Feb., 17, 2018

DISTANCE: 6.2 miles: Steps: 13.5K ELEVATION GAIN: 1000′ Elevation at Peak: 1615′ HIKEABILITY: scale 0-10, 6 ( not as difficult as Woodson, more challenging than Cowles.) WATER: 2 liters SNACKS: energy bar, orange. CONDITIONS: temperature 70’s, slight breeze. Hike Time: 11:15am to 3:30PM RESTROOMS: at trail head PARKING: lot at trailhead, if full park on Hwy., 67

Iron Mountain Trailhead Poway, CA Hiker Therapy

Iron Mountain “Canopy”
Hiker Therapy

I have hiked Iron Mountain in Poway at least a dozen times, however each time is a unique experience always full of adventure, challenge beauty and accomplishment. On this day I arrived at 1115AM and the main parking lot off of Poway Rd. and Hwy. 67 was full. Not to worry, overflow parking is available on Hwy., 67 which is where I parked, a short walk will get you to trailhead and or restrooms. Direction to Iron Mountain, which is located at the T section of Poway rd., and Why 67 in Poway You know you are at the “official” Trailhead as soon as you see the mainstay IRON MOUNTAIN arch signifying your journey up to the peak of Iron. The hike from this point is about 3.1 miles to the summit. However, for me the welcoming canopy of trees covering the trail is the “Official” trail start that sets the tone and the journey to the peak.

Iron Mountain Peak..side spur off of main trail at .5 mile mark from trailhead start
**Hiker Therapy**

The trail at Iron at the start is smooth, hard packed sand and for about the next .50 miles is such. At the .50 mark or so, you have 2 options to continue your hike. You can go right at the trail marker or continue on the traditional way as most do hiking Iron. I always break off and go right here. This segment of the trail offers you diversity of trail, it is less traveled, much quieter and full of nature and a more “green” approach to Iron. You also get a great view of the peak along this spur of the trail. This spur continues on for about .75 miles and then joins up with the main trail up to the peak. Thats the beauty of hiking Iron, you cannot get lost here, follow the well marked trail 3.1 miles you will summit this very doable and popular San Diego Hiking Trail.

As this spur comes to an end you will join up with the main trail and be introduced to a much more rocky trail and for the rest of your journey up the trail will alternate between hard packed sand and earth and rocks. Twisted ankles are not uncommon here, take your time, be safe, the peak isn’t going anywhere you will get there when you do.

Iron Mountain Trail is alternating mix of hard packed earth and sand or Rocks Hiker Therapy

1.75 mile mark and the Iron Mountain Trail System Direction Board
Hiker Therapy

As you get to the 1.75 mile mark of the hike you will come to the “Trail Direction Board” which will point you to go right to the Iron Mountain Peak. Going left gets you back to the trailhead start to the Ellie Lane, which adds 3.3 miles to this hike but if you get the chance one day I highly suggest this as your trailhead start. As you continue right you will start more of the ascent portion of hiking Iron. The trail here gets back to a sandy composition but soon will get rockier as you ascend up to the top. after a short while you will come to the HeloPad that serves as a rescue site for those who have met the fate of the trail and ended up with a broken bone, or more sever health problem. Any hike can serve as a danger, precautions aside, accidents do happen.

Look very close to see White Cross
Hiker Therapy

As you approach the last segment of this hike, to your last the views are spectacular of the far distance Palomar Mountains, Julian and Mt Gower Ramona. Pay close attention to detail as you stop and gaze east. You will see the White Cross tucked into a mountainside. I always love seeing this cross which offers me a sense of familiarity and comfort Continue up and the trail starts to steepen, never to the point of exhaustion, but enough that offers challenge and reward. The Summit of Iron is “Sneaky” after a series of switchback segments to the trail, the last 100 years winds around and up and then, there you are, you have made it to the summit of Iron Mountain.

**Summit of Iron Mountain Hiker Therapy**

The false peak offers the marker of arrival and from previous a Journal Box where you could stake your claim to summiting Iron by writing into the peak journal. The last few times I’ve been on the top, the journal box has been gone. To your right your will come to the first picnic table continue on to the left past the second picnic table and you will hit the ‘official” summit. From here you have a great view of Ramona, Julian, Palomar Mountains and the sapphire blue waters of Lake Ramona.
Enjoy the peak, eat a snack and take pictures, the views go on forever. On your way back look over to your north a short distance and you will see Iron’s sister peak of Mt Woodson another very popular San Diego Hike and the tallest Poway Peak, Iron is the second tallest peak at just over 1600’ . I believe Iron is on the 100 peaks list and falls under peaks to bag for the 52 Peak Challenge.

We are so fortunate to have the hiking trails that we have here in San Diego County. Iron was one of the first “Hard Hikes” or challenging Peaks I attempted back in 2012 and at the beginning of my Hiking Career. Now I call Iron one of my go to Hikes and one that never disappoints.

Weather wise, Fall through Spring is Hiking season in San Diego, in a few months the heat out in Poway can get up into the 90’s, which makes Iron, as well as any hike, much more of a challenge and safety risk. Always bring more water than you need, I always start with 2l and go from there depending on heat, hike with a partner, respect your hiking limits, respect your partners hiking limits and most important Hike on!

Food Tip: After you Hike in Poway I highly recommend The Stable Fresh Fruit and Smoothie Shop on Twin peaks and Espola rd. The best fresh smoothies and date shakes in the County!

Iron Mountain Photo Gallery

Santa Ysabel Preserve East, Julian, CA: Back Country Hiking

Distance: 7.4 miles without the loops, 10 miles with the loops ; West Loop is 1.3 Miles, & Kanaka Loop is 2.3 miles Elevation Gain: 1200 feet. Time to complete: 4 hours

Directions To The Preserve: East – Farmer Staging: Take Highway 78/79 into Julian, to Main Street. Going north, Main Street turns into Farmer Road. Take Farmer Road to Wynola Road and turn right, then a quick left back on to Farmer Road. Pass the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve sign on your right. Santa Ysabel Preserve will be on the left side, approximately one mile from the Volcan sign. Parking is available in the staging area. West: Take Highway 78 to Santa Ysabel. Staging Area is one mile west of Santa Ysabel on Highway 78 at call box #495 or across the street from 29313 Hwy 78.

The Coast to Crest Trail and the trail we took this day, the Kanaka Loop Trail, which is the East approach off of Farmers Rd. One of the benefits of hiking Santa Ysabel Preserve is just getting out there, driving the one lane country roads through Ramona past the hill, into Julian you definitely get the feel of being in the back country surrounded by vast open beauty, pine and oak trees and of course a mountainous terrain.

The Santa Ysabel Preserve really reflects the area, both in vastness and vegetation as well as offering views at many spots along the trail of other hikes in the county, including, Mt. Woodson and Iron Mountain, Mt. Gower, and far off in the distance Palomar Mountain.

The first thing that strikes you about the Kanaka Loop trail-head start, is that you are greeted by the local 4-legged creatures. In fact as you walk through the gate that starts you onto the trail, you will more than likely be greeted by a bovine friend chopping away at the grasses and vegetation along the trail. The start of this trail is pretty flat and open but soon you are heading uphill through a covered forested area with a creek on your left.

Palomar Mountain and observatory in distance

The trail continues to climb to a point where looking to the north far off in the distance is Palomar Mountain and if clear the white dome of the observatory. As you continue to the left a wide-open expanse of a meadow/field is upon you, at this point the trail makes a huge loop and is marked guiding you to veer off to the right beginning the loop section of the hike.

From here you can take a small detour up an easily climbable grade to get good views of Mt. Woodson and Mt Gower off in the distance.

As you wind back down you come upon a small herd of resting cows that gather at a watering hole. Continuing on you will come across good-sized downed burnt charred trees, which are left over remnants of the Cedar Creek fire of 2005. From here you will climb a steep grade through pines and other vegetation, the trail will wind down and then will lead you to an open area that provides amazing views of the surrounding hills and mountains.

You can see Volcan Mountain, which trail-head start is just down farmers road from Santa Ysabel Reserve. Ascending from this point you will so join up with the start point of the loop and the ascent down and back to where you started.

On this day that we hiked the sky was blue, no clouds and the temp was high 60’s when we started and near 80 when we ended in early afternoon. Bring at least 2 quarts of water, snacks a lunch and as always good hiking shoes/boots. …..A gorgeous day for hiking and a gorgeous hike to do. Have fun…..Next… the hike up the road from Santa Ysabel…Volcan Mountain.. See you on the summit…..Hike on!

Here’s a secret tip for the best pie shop in Julian

Hybrid Hike: Iron Mountain/Ellie Lane Trail. Poway, CA

A hiking trail to consider in San Diego County is the Iron Mountain/Ellie Lane Trail in Poway, CA. The trail head is located on the east side of Highway 67 and Poway Road. There is a small gravel parking area with restrooms available.

This trail offers a challenging hike amongst the diverse beauty of a mountain trail. The “typical” trail to the top of Iron Mountain is the most popular route to take, and offers great scenery, a strong workout, and a very doable hike with the reward at the summit of an amazing view of our County.

However, a hybrid hike that can add some diversion and spice from the main trail is the Ellie Lane Trail. To access this part of the hike, which is roughly 1.25 miles from the start of the Iron Mountain trail-head, you will come to large signboard directing you to the various trails that branch off of the main Iron Mountain trail.

The Ellie Lane Trail winds to the left of the sign board and steadily ascends from here leading you through a trail of low lying dessert chaparral. The duration of this hike is well marked with “Ellie Lane Trail” signs posts, which will guide your route. The beauty of hiking this part of the trail are the views which stretch out in front of you both near and distant.

Another bonus to branching off onto this trail is the much more rugged aspects offered. The Ellie Lane trail lives up to the definition of rugged as its, broken, rocky, and uneven surface adds to the surrounding beauty and the “roller coaster” terrain offers a workout that of a hike double in distance. However, this section of the trail system is very doable, and while a strenuous physical challenge, you will be absorbed by the peace and quiet that this hike offers. In fact on this particular afternoon, only 6 other hikers chose this part of what Iron Mountain has to offer.

After, making the initial ascent onto the Ellie Lane Trail and winding around the dips, climbs and twists of this trail you will come to a Eucalyptus grove which not only adds a distinct change in topography but signifies that you have descended to the home stretch segment to the trail and have a little less than a mile to Hwy 67.

As you hear the road noise in the near distance and the sight of Iron Mountain off to the left start making your way south towards the initial trailhead start of Iron Mountain. There are no trail identifiers but you will see a sign marked for a horse trail and road which is the best path to take and one that will lead you to the Iron Mountain Trailhead start. At trails end I was surprised to read that my GPS indicated a total distance hiked of 4.2 miles. This hike has a much bigger hike feel to it due to the ruggedness of territory at certain areas along the way as well as the numerous ascents and descents the Ellie Lane Trail presents. Besides that route I have talked of here, you can also start the Ellie Lane Trail at the Ellie Lane Trail Staging area, which is on the east side of Highway 67 approximately 0.7 miles north of the Highway 67/Poway Road junction.

Iron Mountain is one of my favorite hikes in the county for numerous reasons, chief amomg them being the added options of trails you can create and blend together depending your “hiking mood” that day.

Distance: 4.2 miles

Date and Time: Monday January 6. 2013 10:30AM-1:10PM

Tempature: 58 degrees

Hikeability: Moderate to Strenuous

Water & Food: 50oz water, oranges and snack bars

Happy Hiking!