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Mount Rogers National Recreation Area: Iron Mountain Loop
This well-trodden route passes fishermen, cyclists, and AT thru-hikers before ascending the quiet, sun-dappled slopes of southwest Virginia's Iron Mountain.
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| Author: | Virginia6 |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Virginia (VA) |
| Distance: | 13.53 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Konnarock |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
Warm up for this 13.5-mile loop on the Beartree Gap Trail with a lazy ramble past trout-stocked Beartree Lake. After half a mile, the route merges onto the Appalachian Trail (AT) and begins a short but steady climb up Straight Mountain. On the spine, catch leaf-framed mountain views north and south, then pass two spur trails to Saunders Shelter, a good campsite for late starters. At the second spur, turn right to make the side trip to the shelter, or veer left to continue on the AT. Switchback down the mountain, turning right at the marker at the mountain's base to avoid the cyclist-heavy Virginia Creeper Trail. Whitetop Laurel Creek soon gurgles into view.
Nearly 7 miles in, the AT crosses US 58 and merges onto the Feathercamp Trail where you’ll rock hop across Feathercamp Branch Creek at least 10 times on the steep ascent of Iron Mountain. After the trail stops climbing, look for a wide, level campsite on your left or turn right onto the Iron Mountain Trail to continue to Sandy Flats Shelter. In the morning, cross the Bushwacker Trail then FS 90 and continue along the multi-use (but quiet) Iron Mountain Trail to traverse the summit. From here, descend, turn right at Shaw's Gap and walk a few steps to rejoin the Beartree Gap Trail. Turn right at the Yancy Trail junction, pass a pond then cross FS 837 and return to the parking lot.
WHEN TO GO: Get the best foliage from mid-October to mid-November. In late November, be prepared for snow at upper elevations.
MORE INFO: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/mr/
-Mapped by Amy C. Balfour
TO TRAILHEAD: From Damascus, drive east on US 58. In roughly 1 mile, bear left to stay on US 58. In 6.7 miles, turn left into Mt. Rogers NRA. In 0.2 mile, turn right into lot after the Beartree Gap Trail sign.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
ACTIVE LOG 003
| Dist: 13.53 mi | Points: 703 |
Points of Interest
IRN001
Location: 36.655325°, -81.690211°From the parking area, follow Beartree Gap Trail to the north.
IRN002
Location: 36.656284°, -81.689704°Cross Beartree Lake, a trout-stocked pool (the fishermen show up early here).
IRN003
Location: 36.656055°, -81.689176°Turn right at junction onto the Beartree Gap Trail.
IRN004
Location: 36.655070°, -81.688827°Continue straight; ignore the spur trail to the left.
IRN005
Location: 36.654386°, -81.688269°Cross US 58.
IRN006
Location: 36.651197°, -81.689181°Turn right and head south on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (AT).
IRN007
Location: 36.651309°, -81.691021°Begin the ascent of Straight Mountain.
IRN008
Location: 36.650318°, -81.695239°Take in the views north and south while hiking the spine of Straight Mountain.
IRN009
Location: 36.644698°, -81.699786°Cross a small bridge at the bottom of the gap, then continue climbing. In summer, look for rhododendron blooms lining the trail as you ascend.
IRN010
Location: 36.639012°, -81.709626°Stay left at junction with fire road.
IRN011
Location: 36.638723°, -81.710079°Stay left; watch for white blaze.
IRN012
Location: 36.637183°, -81.711652°Pass a spur trail to Saunders Shelter.
IRN013
Location: 36.634815°, -81.716319°Turn right onto the second spur trail to access Saunders Shelter, a good campsite for late starters.
IRN014
Location: 36.637777°, -81.713251°Saunders Shelter. Turn around, return to Waypoint 13, and bear right at the Y-junction.
IRN015
Location: 36.633963°, -81.715590°Tackle a long series of switchbacks that descend the mountain.
IRN016
Location: 36.630286°, -81.718723°Turn right at the junction with Virginia Creeper Spur Trail to continue on the AT. The Virginia Creeper Trail and Whitetop Laurel Creek are frequently visible to the left.
IRN017
Location: 36.633179°, -81.728969°Pass a potential camping spot on the left.
IRN018
Location: 36.644943°, -81.736436°Cross US 58. Look left for the sign for Feathercamp Trail.
IRN019
Location: 36.644935°, -81.736634°Pick up the Feathercamp Trail. Ahead, pass two possible campsites on the right (close to US 58).
IRN020
Location: 36.645886°, -81.736264°Stay right and continue on the blue-blazed Feathercamp Trail (AT veers left). The trail will cross Feathercreek Branch at least 10 times as it ascends Iron Mountain.
IRN021
Location: 36.662039°, -81.713461°Pass a clearing for a campsite.
IRN022
Location: 36.664021°, -81.711052°Turn right onto yellow-blazed Iron Mountain Trail.
IRN023
Location: 36.663057°, -81.707908°Turn left to reach Sandy Flats Shelter and to continue on Iron Mountain Trail. Turn right to use the privy.
IRN024
Location: 36.663040°, -81.707572°Sandy Flats Shelter.
IRN025
Location: 36.663111°, -81.707209°Cross Bushwacker Trail.
IRN026
Location: 36.665092°, -81.703094°Cross FS 90 and continue straight ahead on the yellow-blazed Iron Mountain Trail.
IRN027
Location: 36.677971°, -81.681869°Shaw's Gap: Turn right and walk a short distance beyond the clearing to merge onto the Beartree Gap Trail at the signed junction.
IRN028
Location: 36.677583°, -81.681901°Turn right onto Beartree Gap Trail at a marked junction a few steps to the right of Shaw's Gap. The Beartree Gap Trail is marked by yellow diamonds.
IRN029
Location: 36.664319°, -81.691153°Turn right to continue on Beartree Gap Trail at the marked junction with Yancy Trail.
IRN030
Location: 36.654610°, -81.693317°Cross wooden footbridge.
IRN031
Location: 36.654455°, -81.693268°Cross FS 837 and pick up trail on other side. Follow back to the parking area.
Beartree Lake
Location: 36.656280°, -81.689637°Junction of AT and Beartree Gap Trail
Location: 36.651197°, -81.689068°Appalachian Trail South
Location: 36.651102°, -81.689615°Saunders Shelter
Location: 36.637768°, -81.713144°Junction with Virginia Creeper Spur Trail
Location: 36.630269°, -81.718583°Rhododendron Bloom
Location: 36.630924°, -81.719399°View of Virginia Creeper Trail
Location: 36.631010°, -81.723840°Wooden Bridge Over Small Cascades
Location: 36.632707°, -81.726459°Trail Register
Location: 36.644457°, -81.736500°Feathercamp Trail Joins AT
Location: 36.644935°, -81.736575°Feathercamp Branch
Location: 36.650621°, -81.732503°The Feathercamp Trail Doesn't Stop for Trees
Location: 36.657928°, -81.719602°Campsite
Location: 36.662051°, -81.713326°Sandy Flats Shelter
Location: 36.663057°, -81.707468°Iron Mountain Trail
Location: 36.668669°, -81.697844°Shaw's Gap
Location: 36.677953°, -81.681730°Beartree Gap Trail
Location: 36.665702°, -81.689069°Wooden Footbridge
Location: 36.654614°, -81.693258°Looking Back at Footbridge
Location: 36.654532°, -81.693295°Return to Fishermen's Lot
Location: 36.655118°, -81.690248°Related Trips
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