Iron Mountain & South Ledges (White Mountain National Forest)

Iron Mountain & South Ledges (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 4.48 miles

Elevation: 1,165 feet

Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes (1 hour, 47 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike 

My drive from Cannon Mountain to Iron Mountain was wonderful for 60 of the 65 minutes. Up through the northern tip of Franconia Notch, enjoying the views of the Presidential Range from US-3 and US-302, and Crawford Notch. Once I drove through Jackson on NH-16, I turned left onto Green Hill Road and later Iron Mountain Road, which was signed as a Class VI road, and BOY did it feel like one. It climbed comically steeply and narrowly with constant ruts. I was STRESSED. I'd take driving in the snow to Jay Peak any day over this (that's an exaggeration, it was still rough). Thankfully, I was rewarded with a parking spot in the main lot (room for 4-5 cars). There were two other cars in the main lot and one car in the overflow lot, and two of those cars were claimed for in the time it took me to re-suit up.

[12:11pm - Iron Mountain Trail] 

The trail began just a few more feet down the road from the parking area, signed as land preserved by the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust. From the road, Iron Mountain Trail climbs up wooden and gravel stairs to a meadow that was a bit more overgrown than I would have preferred but with EXCELLENT views. I'd heard the rumor that the Iron Mountain parking area has one of the best views in the Whites, and the rumors were true! Immediately on the right was a private residence with Stairs Mountain towering above.

Not much futher up the meadow was the most impressive view: the Presidential Range from Washington to Eisenhower on one side of Pinkham Notch and then the Wildcats and Carter Dome on the other. This was a solid start to the hike!

The trail continues into the woods and over boardwalks, through a second meadow, and then over some more boards before continuing on one of the most lovely footpaths I've had the pleasure of trampling. The forest the trail climbed through was full of young birches and rose at very easy grades. There were a few pockets of unproblematic gnats, and other than that, no bugs! I was so delighted at how lovely this hike was (apparently it was significantly rerouted in 2021, I am curious what the old trail was like). 

The trail slowly left the young forest via switchbacks and traversed a few spots with rougher footing, but this was absolute paradise, especially after the Kinsman Ridge Trail this morning! There was a small wooden staircase around 0.92 and a morning dove cheered me on as the trail slightly got steeper.

The final swtichback is where the Iron Mountain Trail joins the old route and soon there is a side path that leads to a ledge view that is really just spectacular - the same view from the meadow but from a much better and higher vantage point. The sun was reflecting off of the summit lift at Wildcat Mountain and there was just a small patch of snow visible in Oakes Gulf. I could also see Isolation, which was extra fun!

[12:47pm - Iron Mountain Summit] 

The trail climbed moderately, but again, completely lovely, and passed a side path to a little crag that looked like it might have had a view in the past, but it had nothing. Just further up the trail was a really neat summit area - it reminded me of the abandoned trails on Youngs and McFarland Mountains in Acadia National Park. There were old fire tower footings with some wood still attached (one theoretically could get up and stand on the wood, but I was NOT going to tempt fate. There was a USGS disc on the ground and fire tower remnants scattered about. It was a really neat area!

From the summit, the trail continued on, feeling slightly less-traveled with many butterflies and dried out lichens, eventually reentering the woods. The White Mountain Guide mentioned that the blazing stopped after the summit, but I noticed new blazes painted through the whole route. There was a steeper descent after the flatter summit plateau, and I crossed paths with the folks from the last car in the parking lot! 

The trail continued over soft, flat ground, traversed a dry, sunny ledge, and then went back into the woods before descending steeply again. I wrote in my notes "man this view better be good I'm going down a lot." Eventually, the canopy opened up again as the footbed became slabbier. The trail passed some blooming sheep laurel, and soon landed at the trail split! The White Mountain Guide mentioned that the trail to the ledges continued right while an unofficial trail turned left to the iron mines, but there was a relatively new USFS sign indicating the trail split, implying both spurs are "official" now. 

[1:04pm - Iron Mountain Ledges Spur] 

[1:06pm - Iron Mountain Ledges] 

The trail is short and open from the sign to the actual ledges, and WOW - they ARE worth the trip! The area is wide open with just a few cairns, so it is possible to get a little lost, but it was super fun to explore. There were more sheep laurel, many butterflies, and of course, views! The primary view was to Attitash Mountain and the peaks of the Moats. From some vantage points on the left, I could see Kearsarge North. To the right were countless other peaks, including Carrigain and the Tripyramids.

[1:13pm - Iron Mountain Ledges Spur] 

[1:15pm - Iron Mountain Trail] 

Still with the goal of not wanting to keep Gen waiting for too long, I didn't stick around and soon got on with my return! I passed a few dried up Lady Slippers and started blasting off back toward the summit. I am really glad this wonderful mountain is back on the 52 With-a-View list, I just hope the road gets improved!

A buzzing bug got stuck in my hair during the blast-off, and I also blasted off slightly off-trail at one point, but beside that it was smooth sailing! The steep climbs got my heart pumping and really did kick my butt, but in fairness I had already hiked Cannon this morning and was hiking faster than usual to make time. I also passed a old, rusted red disc nailed to a tree. Maybe an old blaze?

I crossed paths with two individuals seperately and then a duo afterwards. My poor chafing nipple was hurting yet again, but soon enough I was back at the top!

[1:32pm - Iron Mountain Summit] 

The final part of my blast off was easy, breezy, and beautiful. The gentle grades throughout this stretch made for great power-walking. I even passed the two folks from before (the woman made a comment, "That was fast!") in the young birch area. I eventually made my way out to the meadow where I noticed Black Mountain (my favorite ski mountain) and what I believe is a ledge from Bald Knob of the Baldface Range. 

[2:01pm - End of Hike]

Soon enough I was back in my car and driving slowly in low-gear down the dreadful road with white knuckles. It was now a warm 70 degrees out, climbing towards 80 as I made my way back to North Conway. I showered, scooped up Gen, and then we had a lovely playdate in North Conway! We played some Pokemon, went to the 5 and 10, the General Store, the Ski Museum, and got dinner at the Beef & Ski, which was just an incredible name for an eastablishment. We finished up our day going to REI, going to the Columbia store, and getting me a toothbrush from Market Basket becuase I accidentally dropped mine into the toilet after brushing for Cannon...

Step-by-Step

- Park at Iron Mountain Trailhead.

- Summit Iron Mountain.

- At jct, turn right onto Ledges Spur.

- At ledges, turn around and retrace steps to car.

Photo Album