Iron Mountain Road Climb
| Level of Difficulty: Difficult (5200′ total climbing) | |
| Riding Time: 5 hours | Printable Area Map: Iron Mountain Climb (Adobe Acrobat required) |
| Season to Ride: Summer through Early Fall |
Description: Wow…
every time I do this ride, I promise myself to do it more often. The ride
is scenic, has generally light traffic (though sometimes on weekends it can
reach moderate traffic levels), and you are treated to an absolutely wonderful
downhill on the return. This is also a great ride for hot summer
days. Weather at the top can be 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) less than
Sacramento. So if it’s a hot day, start early and plan to enjoy the cooler
weather as you climb. You will definitely feel the heat increase as you
descend on your return trip. The road generally has good shoulders –
though sometimes the shoulders can be clogged with branches or rocks. The
road may not be snowplowed all the way through until July (depending on how
strong and late the winter storms were).
One area is prone to rock slides, and riders should use caution on the return
downhill (this area is marked by road signs stating rock slide area). This
ride can be done earlier (in late May or early June) with the expectation that
the road may not be snowplowed up near the summit – but then again that means
less traffic – as cars cannot get through to Highway 88. There are no
facilities along the way, so make sure you carry plenty of water and food.
| Miles | Directions |
0.0
| Start at Information Station – about 3.3 miles east of
|
7.3
| Pass North South Rd. Climbing
|
16.7
| Pass Silver Fork Rd. Final
|
18.2
| Top of main climb. Rolling
|
20.6
| Intersection with Highway 88.
|
23.0
| Summit on return ride.
|
24.5
| Pass Silver Fork Rd on return.
|
34.0
| Pass North South Rd.
|
41.3
| Ride ends at Information Station
|
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