Iron Mountain Trail

Iron Mountain Trail begins at Cottonwood Patch Equestrian Campground in the Chattahoochee National Forest, just outside the Cohutta Wilderness boundary near the Tennessee line. It is a designated multi-use trail open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, and it was built in 1996 by the Forest Service with support from mountain bike groups. The trailhead is located at the back of the campground, but day hikers should park in the separate Day Use lot near the campground entrance to avoid the camping permit fee. This is one of those trails that can be a little confusing if you are unfamiliar with the area. There are several side paths and old road traces that branch off, and the Forest Service often describes Iron Mountain as a 4-mile trail, even though signs and tread clearly continue beyond that point. From the trailhead (about 975 feet), the route travels only a few hundred yards before its first defining feature: a ford of the Conasauga River. This crossing is usually ankle-deep and broad, with a fairly gentle current in normal conditions.

 

Shortly after the river crossing, the trail passes through a large open field designated as a Wildlife Management Area, then reenters the woods and begins a gradual northwesterly climb up Iron Mountain. Over the next couple of miles, the trail gains elevation steadily, with rocky stretches and occasional winter views south into the forested folds of the Cohutta country. Around mile 1.4, a side trail appears on the left. Stay right. At roughly the 2-mile mark, the trail begins a slight descent and transitions onto an old roadbed. This section drops into a beautiful stand of old-growth white pines, one of the more distinctive forest characters on the route, before leveling and rising again. The trail reaches its high point (about 1,506 feet) near the 3.7-mile mark. The Forest Service’s “official” endpoint is the junction with Doogan Mountain Road (FS 1A) at about mile 4.0, but the route clearly continues beyond this point on a closed forest road. A post in the road marks the continuation. Beyond FS 1A, the trail feels more remote and exploratory. It follows closed road grades north toward Tennessee, with a couple of unsigned or lightly marked side routes along the way. Around mile 4.7, an unnamed trail peels left (with a red diamond blaze). Stay on the main road. Around mile 4.9, the road forks — stay right. A small culvert crossing here is the last easy water source before the river descent. From there, the trail bends back northeast and eventually reaches a ridgeline overlook at about mile 6.0, one of the best surprises on the trail. The overlook opens in multiple directions and offers broad views into the Cohuttas and into Tennessee. From the overlook, the trail begins a 1.3-mile descent toward the Conasauga River in Tennessee.

 

It narrows back into footpath in places and eventually reaches a four-way intersection near the bottom. Continue straight to the river. At the river, Conasauga River Trail #61 (Cherokee National Forest) lies directly across the water and requires a ford. This section of the Conasauga is significantly wider than upstream wilderness crossings because it is near the Jacks River / Conasauga confluence. Under normal conditions, expect thigh-deep water. After sustained rain, this crossing can be dangerous and should be treated with caution. Many hikers use this route to complete the Iron Mountain – Conasauga River Loop. After fording, Conasauga River Trail #61 runs upstream for about 3 miles to its trailhead. From there, continue on FS221, then connect to FS16 and walk back across the Jacks River bridge to return to Cottonwood Patch. This loop is approximately 11.6 miles. Iron Mountain Trail is not as famous as the marquee Cohutta routes, but it is a rewarding trail for people who like old roadbeds, quiet woods, and a route that keeps unfolding past where the map says it should end.