Iron Mountain - Tonto NF, AZ

History
Iron Mountain was named after Robert A. Irion, who brought cattle to Arizona from Colorado in 1877. Mr. Irion settled in the vicinity of this mountain bearing his misspelled name. He did pronounce his name as Iron.


Overview
Two years ago I attempted to take on the summit as a simple 4 mile loop. The trail is clearly laid out on the old topo map, complete with switchbacks. The logical approach appears to be a counter-clockwise hike. Unfortunately, the old trail leading away from West Pinto Trail #212 near the 2-mile mark doesn't exist. Well, it does exist, but it hasn't been maintained in something like 20 years and is completely overgrown. Forget the loop and do this as a short out and back hike.2019 Note
Likely torched due to Woodbury Fire.

Hike
From Rogers Trough, head out northwest on Reavis Ranch Trail #109. The West Pinto Trail #212 quickly turns right. Follow this up. As of this writing, it's a tad overgrown. Nothing of significant concern, but I recommend you wear pants for the off-trail section. My favorite pair of Teva shorts did take a beating. 0.5 miles up, you leave #212 and turn left up the mountain. You can try and follow the old topo trail up. I did pass two cairns and a few patches of distinct trail. However, there's no fooling, and this trail is long gone. The footing is exceptionally loose and unstable rock in places. Be careful on foot placement. Evaluate each step as the wrong one will send you flipping backward into an awaiting agave. The advantage here is little to no bushwhacking from where you leave #212 to your next destination, the southeast ridge.

If you're wise, take a GPS loaded with the topo map. Although the trail is nearly non-existent, it does get you around a few outcroppings and up to the precise section of the ridge. When I got to the ridge, I thought it was over. Looking up is a grim scene of thick chaparral. Remember this key piece of advice. Where the topo trail meets the ridge, it turns rocky. Just to the right of the ridge is your ticket up. At first glance, it looks like a wall of bush. There is a chute up, albeit tight through the bushes and steep on the loose footing. Ten to twenty feet up, it gets considerably easier.

Some minor bushwhacking gets you up the ridge and atop Iron Mountain! I wasn't overly impressed with the views, but it sure did feel good to settle this one as done!

2007-02-04 joebartels