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Iron Mountain Trails is a great moderate hike and an excellent workout if you want to break a sweat. I highly recommend going early, bringing plenty of water, and packing a snack to enjoy when you get to the summit. It's pet-friendly and a great option for anyone looking for a solid outdoor workout. Be sure to wear proper hiking attire and check the weather before you go.
I visited on a Sunday morning around 10:30 AM. The parking lot was full, and many people were parking along the highway. There were lots of hikers, many with their dogs. The trail is 5.7 miles long. I brought a dog along, and we finished in just under two hours. The hike up has plenty of rocks, but not many loose ones, so slipping wasn't much of a concern. The views were beautiful, and overall, the hike wasn't too strenuous. There are bathrooms located at the trailhead, and a short way into the hike, there are picnic tables where people can stop for lunch.
The Iron Mountain hiking trail in Poway is good for both beginners and intermediate hikers. The trail extends just over 5 miles round trip, with manageable uphill routes. There were plenty of friendly hikers in the vicinity. Towards the midway section of the trail, you will find a refreshing stream. As you go on a higher plane, you will see stunning vistas of open fields, plenty of trees and a clear skyline.
Iron Mountain is located in Poway, and it offers many trails to hike, run, or just to sit back and enjoy nature away from the bustling city. We came here early in the morning to get a quick break from the city and just to sit back and enjoy the beautiful mountains and trails that this place has. The parking here is on a gravel rock parking lot that has ample parking and can be easily accessed from the street. The entrance is covered in an abundance of trees and shade as you walk up to Iron Mountain. The trails are easily identified by the dirt pavement on the ground. Please be prepared to bring canteens of water and ice since there are no water stations on site, and during the summer months, it can get hot. There are many signs throughout the trail reminding you of rattlesnakes. Through our hike, we saw many lizards and butterflies and heard notices we would have never heard in the city. There are a couple of lakes here, and we even saw a sign for night fishing. There is a restroom in the parking lot, and when we we left, we decided to skip it and wait until we got home since it definitely needed attention. Overall, it was a great place to go to and enjoy nature at its finest. I highly recommend coming in the early fall or spring and early in the summer months to avoid the heat since it can get pretty hot and, as always, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate!
IRON MOUNTAIN-HIKERS WANTED The entire trail is wondrous with panoramic vistas of rolling hills, distant mountains, and boulder formations. One of the highlights of the hike was the tree arch entry that greets you with blessings for a good hike. And that's about all the shade you will get :). AMENITIES The portopotties are a sanitary mayhem and need to be closed for hazmat. The stench reaches the parking lot. Parking & trail are free. HOW FIT DO YOU HAVE TO BE FOR THIS HIKE? If you do cardio at least 4 hours weekly, you can manage this hike. But I also saw: A woman with flip flops A man carrying two 3 gallon jugs filled with water All age ranges and weight classes A first timer hiker and the list goes on. WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE? I experienced the hike to be fun and interesting with the different terrain, views, switchbacks and boulders. If you can step up on a curb or do lunges then you can step on, over, or to the side of the boulders. With that being said, there are walking crevasses next to the boulders on the trail. I heard the hike was hard and because of my success on Saturday. I thought it was a fluke, so I went back the following next day. And it was just as enjoyable. Overall, this 5.8 mile hike offered a mix of natural beauty, conditioning, and satisfaction. It's a great way to connect with friends, groups, nature and obviously movement. I highly recommend Iron Mountain instead of Cowles mountain. HIGHLIGHTS Well maintained and clearly marked Perfect for new solo hikers No dog or human feces on trail NEED TO KNOW Can be done with/out trekking poles. I take mine because dogs were not leashed, although required San Diego temps can still reach the 80's in October. "A mustard seed of faith can move mountains. Have a mountainous faith to move every obstacle in your path." --Juken #JUKEN123 #ironmountainsd #hikepowaysd #hikepanoramicviews
They have toilets, trash, dog bags, and a parking lot. The trees on the pathway are pretty. The rest of the trail is very open air.
Do it! Gorgeous trail that has a nice combo of flat-ish and incline paths. We came for a sunrise hike and were not disappointed. Right now in late March all of the California Lilac were in full bloom and it gave new meaning to that like "purple mountain majesty". Took us about 3.5 hours because we lingered at the summit. There were sweet little streams and trickles of water that made the experience even better as we hiked to the sound of running water here and there. It was a partly cloudy morning so the sun was kinder than summer months, enough pockets of shade to hide behind from large boulders. Hoping to be back with my 8 year old who is new to hiking but could most likely do this trail with no sweat as the path is well maintained and not too difficult IMO. Happy hiking y'all!
***This Review Is About Hiking To See the Sunrise!*** As you can see from my pics, the views are STUNNING when you come here for the sunrise. You'll see lots of clouds floating in the air and beautiful mountain views (of course). Photos don't even do it justice. You feel like you're higher than you really are! Even Mt. Soledad is barely peeking through the clouds. It looked like a little island in the sky. So cool. TRAIL LENGTH: -5 to 6 miles (My phone always says this hike is closer to 6, despite most sites saying it is closer to 5 miles, fyi) TRAIL TERRAIN: -Mostly dirt & lots of rocks. Not quite a simple hiking path like Potato Chip or Penasquitos. I found this hike more challenging for this reason. You can't zone out as much because you have to watch where you're going/stepping. Though I've seen experienced runners sprint up and down this trail, I would not recommend it. TIPS FOR A SUNRISE HIKE: - Start about 1 hr before that morning's sunrise, or start 1.5 hrs early if you think it will take you awhile to get up there. - Pack lots of water/electrolyte drinks. I like to bring 2 bottles of water/Gatorade personally. - In the summer months, I usually start around 5am because it takes about 1 hr for me to get up to the summit. I run hot so I just wear leggings & a tank top. Temp is in the 60s when I start. - I've done this hike at sunrise a few times in July. It's not dark enough to the point where you need a flashlight. - Optional: bring a snack to eat at the summit to reward yourself as you take in the view. There are 2 picnic tables! DOG OWNERS: -I love hiking with my dog too, but PLEASE look after your dog. Keep your dog leashed (even if they have perfect recall) for the safety of others. Also be aware some dogs/humans are not comfortable with dogs walking/running towards them. -Clean up after your dog. So so so many irresponsible owners do not pick up after their dog, and it's just disgusting. I have a dog too, but please respect the trail and other hikers. I know it sucks to hold onto it for so many miles (there's only 1 trash can & it's at the entrance), but be mindful of others. OTHER COMMENTS: -The terrain is DIRT & ROCKS. You will literally have to climb/walk on actual rocks. It is very easy to slip and fall or twist your ankle so please be careful. I've seen people run up and down this trail, but that is something I personally would not do. -I've done the hike in regular running shoes (HOKAs) and had no issue. However, be aware your shoes/socks will have a layer of dirt on them by the end, so don't wear your favorite white shoes. -There is almost NO SHADE on this trail, so in the warmer months, I recommend doing it closer to sunset or before the sun rises. PARKING: -Parking is free for everyone! On weekends, if you are here around 8am, the parking lot will already be at 75-85% capacity, just fyi. There is extra parking on the road though. RESTROOMS: -There are restrooms located in the parking lot & none others on the entire trail. As of July 2021, I know that they're open to the public. (I believe they had closed temporarily due to the pandemic last year.)
This is amazing trail, weather your aiming for the peak or just base of the trail. Either it's enjoyable
Great 6 mile workout for my soul. Came during a weekday, bright and early to avoid the crowds. Decent parking , but nasty bathrooms at the start of the trail. Thankfully I'm always prepared and brought everything from wipes, toilet seat covers, spray and hand sanitizer!! Haha! But use them before you start because it's a long hike and there are no restrooms on the path. Don't get to comfortable with the shaded archway leading onto the trail because that is the only shade you get. I highly recommend lots of water and sunscreen with a good pair of hiking boots. The trail can be steep and rocky at times. The view at the top makes it all worth it! Great hike to clear your mind and a great workout for the soul.
Did this hike in honor of my friend Travis. Our daughter and I will never forget you. Lovely hike, in total took me about 2 hours. The view at the top was breathtaking. Challenging yet doable. Have fun and be safe everyone.
Great hike. Not too hard not too easy. Not too long not too short . Very moderate . You should hike this
We're slowly getting back into our hiking groove, carefully navigating a post-pandemic great outdoors. This was our first time hiking Iron Mountain, and we're now fans of this spot. The beautiful and welcoming tree tunnel really sets the mood, welcoming you in before opening up to the trails. And goodness, that tree tunnel is absolutely a blessing on your way back to the parking lot, offering respite from the sun, dropping the temperature by a good 10 degrees. We arrived a bit later than planned, as our morning started with a lot more lazing-in-bed than prepping-to-hike, but it worked out, because we were able to find parking in the dirt lot. We set out at around 11:30 am, which isn't smart on most days, but this particular Saturday in April was cool and a bit overcast, which helped a ton. There's a lot of good signage along the trails, which helps those who get lost easily...or frequently. It was also nice to see that the rescue team was on hand, buzzing the trails in the bright yellow helicopter, keeping an eye out for anyone in distress. The trails did get a bit tight - it's a popular spot - but for the most part, people were respectful and tried to keep as much distance as possible. There were a fair number of mask-less hikers out, but that's not the trail's fault. You get those people everywhere. We didn't spend as much time at the top as I would've liked - it was quite packed up there and we could see more people making their way to the summit, but it is quite pretty there. We were at least able to catch our breath and take a few pictures before making our way back down. I imagine we'll be heading back to Iron Mountain for another hike later this year, but we're also eager to explore some of our city's other trails, first. I am glad that we smothered ourselves in sunblock and had 64 ounces of water on us. There's not much shade on those open dirt trails.
5 years ago
If you currently live or have lived in San Diego chances are that you have hiked a few of the region's trails. Being a sheltered kid raised by parents who have no love for the outdoors I didn't start hiking until I was in my early 30's. Therefore I wasn't introduced to one of the county's most popular trails until 2 years ago. As a local, that's pretty embarrassing. As of this writing I have hiked this trail twice. I've enjoyed both hikes but keep in mind for someone of average fitness, this is considered a moderately difficult hike. I remember being sore for at least 1-2 days afterwards and at least up to a week on the first hike just because I didn't have the proper shoes! --- LOGISTICS - Length: 6 miles out-and-back. Took me and a friend about 3 hours to hike and I was the least fit of the two... - The peak is at 2,696 feet elevation with a climb of over 1000 feet between the start of the trail and the summit. - Location: Along CA-67 and the end of Poway Road. The start of the trail is easy to find as the parking lot is right where Poway Road ends. The trailhead is just past the parking lot and is clearly marked with wooden posts. The sign makes an ideal backdrop for a "doing it for the 'gram" pic. - Parking: Since this is one of the most popular trails in SD County, the parking can get full well before 8AM on a weekend. For a guaranteed spot its best to park right before sunrise or just before sunset. Should the parking lot be full there's plenty of cars that park right along CA-67. - Bathrooms are located in the parking lot. It's best to bring your own toilet paper or if possible wait until you can go in a much cleaner spot. - Dogs are permitted on the trail but must be kept on a leash. For the most part dog owners that I encountered here are responsible. Problematic dog encounters are kept to a minimum and owners do a good job cleaning up after their dogs. - PSA: Aside from a small patch containing oak trees at the start of the trail, the vast majority of the trail is exposed. Bring plenty of water, wear a hat, use sunscreen and most importantly *do not hike when the weather's hot*. --- The first 0.3 miles of the trail is flat as you pass the iconic sign and the oak trees. The gradual ascent begins at around mile 0.5 along with the first fork in the road. While the main path has you going straight, going on the spur trail (on the right) adds only 0.1 mile to your distance and is of a similar difficulty and rejoins the main trail at around 1 mile in. From shortly before mile marker 1 to the summit is where you'll encounter the steeper and rockier portions. Some portions are covered in dirt while the others are just sheer rock. This is where I stress the importance of hiking shoes/boots on this trail - when I first did this trail I just had regular running shoes and my feet and thighs were sore for days but when I attempted Iron Mountain a second time with hiking shoes I only was sore for a day. The shoes are important here to maintain traction. If you have trekking poles they would also be very helpful here. Between mile marker 1 and 2.5 the steep dirt/rock sections alternate between those and the flatter sections in which you can catch your breath and/or drink water if necessary. At around mile marker 2.5 you will encounter a short switchback section where the steep rocky sections get more difficult compared to the areas before the switchback and little reprieve. But this section is only 0.2 miles and after that it's the summit. At the summit there's quite a lot to do; a few picnic benches, a magnifying viewer and an analog viewfinder. On a clear day you can see Cuyamaca Peak and Mount Woodson (aka Potato Chip Rock) in the perimeter along with Downtown San Diego and the ocean. It is also a popular spot for people to just lounge and snack/drink. Iron Mountain is already a popular hike pre-pandemic but in the age of COVID being such a popular hike and with narrow sections practicing social distancing can be a bit of a challenge. Personally for me with hiking being such a strenuous activity it's hard to be masked the entire time so in this case here I make a compromise - hike unmasked but when I pass through people I wear my mask. Then again I saw at least a significant portion of hikers on my visit with no mask. As many people have mentioned this hike along with Cowles Mountain and Mount Woodson represents some of the most hiked parts of the county. Being such a popular trail it's well maintained and while I hiked both times with friends, its popular enough that I feel comfortable hiking solo. read more
A moderately strenuous hike, Iron Mountain is not for the faint of heart, or for those with weak ankles! Located off Poway Road and the 67, the parking is in a dirt lot or roadside. I usually choose roadside just because I want to avoid the dirt on my car. Distance per my Fitbit was about 5.75 miles out and back from the trail head. The trail is dirt/rocks so it makes it great for dogs. I would rather take my dog here than Mt. Woodson (fire road side) because of the hot pavement. I took my pit bull on this hike and he aced it! Last time we only got 1/2 way up because I sprained my ankle on a rock...SOOO I suggest hiking boots. Wore this today and we rocked it together! Total hike time today: 1 hour and 52 minutes. This includes stopping to give my dog water several times. If you bring your dog, PLEASE follow these rules: 1) leash your pet (for your dog's safety..and others..if I had my pit bull off leash, people would freak. And to the person that had your chihuahua off-leash today, shame on you!) 2) bring plenty of water for your pet. There are too many instances where dogs are overheated doing hikes. Be a responsible pet owner! 3) be prepared to ack out your pet's poo (and yours too) no bathrooms on this hike until the first parking lot. Enjoy the views at the top! Bring snacks to relax for a minute or two. read more
4 years ago
I'm a newbie when it comes to hiking and despite all the years I have lived in San Diego, I had no idea of all the hiking available in San Diego until just a few years ago. I kept hearing "Iron Mountain" from friends and was a bit intimidated by the name but having hiked it every other weekend for several months, I find it to be one of the more enjoyable in San Diego. I live on the coast and it's about a 25 minute drive. There is a free dirt parking lot at the entrance to the hike, but if it's full, there is plenty of parking along the road. I clock the hike and it comes out consistently at 5.8 miles from the Iron Mountain arch entrance, to the top and back and it generally takes me about 2 - 2 1/2 hours and I am just an amateur hiker. I like the variation in the grade. You start with a nice relatively flat walk to get your heart rate going and warm up before you hit your first uphill grade which isn't very steep and is quite shot before it tapers off again and then you hit another small uphill. These minor uphills will get you ready for the steeper grades that come in the beginning of the hike. The grade is relatively steep in the first mile with areas that require big step ups but once you get past the first part of uphill grade, the grade becomes less steep. The hike varies from dirt to rocks but many people I see actually run up the trail. It's not too crowded, but you will see people all over the trail at any time of the day. It is absolutely dog friendly (too dog friendly) and people seem to be pretty good about picking up their dogs mess. People bring their kids and I've even seen people carry their young ones. So, if you think you can't tackle this, I assure you that you can. At the top, there is a 360 degree view and you can see all the way up to Escondido and down to San Diego Harbor and Point Loma. The view is really something, but not just from the top, but throughout the hike. There are a couple of picnic style benches to sit at once you are at the top but if they are full there are also quite a number of rocks to sit atop. No trash bins at the top so be prepared to bring down anything you bring up. Likewise, no restroom. There are bathrooms in the parking lot before going up the hike. It's a great way to get outside and see parts of San Diego you've probably never seen before or even knew existed in San Diego, not to mention a pretty good workout. I average anywhere from 1600 - 2000 calories burned according to my tracker that I use. read more
7 years ago
I love this hike it's really beautiful and very rocky. The entrance looks like something out of the movies. A little bit of an intense hike. Did this hike years ago and meant to post, but here it is now. read more
Iron Mountain is a nice hike, not too strenuous, but great rewarding views at the top. Bring water and snacks, there are picnic tables once you reach the top, or just grab a boulder and enjoy the panoramic view. Desert terrain, with a lot of switchbacks and rocks. Wear good hiking shoes that don't slip on sand covered rocks. There is a bathroom at the entrance, no fees, small dirt parking area right off the road. There were all ages hiking the trail and some dogs, though spots seemed like a dog might have difficulty with the steep rocky areas. The trail is about 6 miles up and back. The view is amazing, ocean in the far distance and lakes beneath you. read more
This is an awesome hike with gorgeous views at the top! Here's what you need to know: * About one hour from lot to peak * 4.21 kilometers from the parking lot to the peak * 800 meters elevation change from base to peak * There's toilets at the bottom, and nowhere else. No sinks. * It's an extremely uneven trail with a fair amount of obstacles. One of my friend twisted his ankle here and had to turn back. Be careful. * It's even more treacherous in the dark. Bring a flashlight if you are hiking in the late afternoon, just in case!! * Temperature drops rapidly around sunset. * There's a ton of people at the top, though this number drops off rapidly around sunset, since most people hoof it back an hour in advance of sunset. Not all, but the hordes start to thin out. * Dog friendly, but keep them on leash. Have fun, be safe, and take ALL your trash back out with you! read more
This is a nice hike. Not too tough, not to easy. It starts out nice and flat and kind of warms you up before the hill. The path is very wide up to the start of the hill. Even the path up the hill is a good size. You can probably walk 4 across the whole way up. I went after the rain so it was a little muddy but not bad at all. Some nice little rock obstacles, nothing major at all. The best part are the views. You have 360 degree views at the top. I recommend this hike for all levels of hiker. read more
BEAUTIFUL hike with nice terrain and plants all the way up to the top. the hike wasn't too strenuous since the incline isn't too steep if you're a regular hiker it's about 5-6 miles out and back with a great view at the top. it actually started raining when we got to the top and there was a rainbow! bring sunscreen, it was cloudy and cold the day we went but i don't remember seeing much shade covering NOTE: there's a picnic table at the top if you want to bring a meal to enjoy read more
Ooh my bum !! Great workout for the butt and thighs ! Not as difficult as Mount Woodson, but if you're a noobs like me, this is an all around good workout !!! Gorgeous day for a hike. Yup we got lucky. Not too hot, not too cold. Just purrrfect !!! It was approximately 7 miles total trip. The paths were wider and easier to maneuver through compared to Mount Woodson. Took us a good 2.5 hours + the additional 1 hour of just taking 'ninja yogi hiking' pics once we got to the top. Yeah we took advantage of it that's for sure ! -Breathtaking views and dog friendly -A great family hike in my opinion -Few tables are set up once you get to the top so pack a light meal and have a small picnic if you'd like -Great way to get to know someone so bring a date ..hint hint -A challenging workout if you decide to run up this mountain -Parking is minimal. We parked off the road side, but hey it was FREE -Recommend bringing water and a few snacks -Don't forget the sunscreen -Spotted some potential wedding proposals /aww -PEE ahead of time !!!! Unless, you like the bushes ! o.O read more
8 years ago
Nice, moderate hike. Weather was perfect the day I went. It's about 6 miles round trip. At the top there are two picnic benches located on opposite sides. Nice spot to have snacks or lunch at the top. Parking can get full, but fortunately I found a spot. There were many cars parked on the sides of the road. No rattlesnakes in sight either. read more
10 years ago
VERY popular hike, so the parking lot already starts filling up at 6am on the weekends. That's okay because there's plenty of street parking just before it. Parking lot also has a bathroom although there's no plumbing so you'll be doing your business in a hole really. Toilet paper seems to be restocked often enough. Hike starts off with a boring mile or so stretch. You won't get anything scenic until you round the mountain and come up on the other side. Last stretch up to the peak was very annoying. The switchbacks were endless and you'll begin to wonder if they'll ever end. Very mild incline up to the peak with these switchbacks though. Makes the hike very easy. We took about an hour to reach the top, but the views were pretty amazing from up here, I must admit. Lots of picture ops to be had. All in all, hike was 5.72 miles according to my app and we took 2.5 hours. Easy climb to the peak and friends had no issues completing it. One of my girlfriends admittedly had never been hiking and this was no big deal for her. So great hike with an easy climb for a not-so-avid hiker and awesome city views to be had at the top. read more
Natural beauty + a great workout = one happy gal! I am very new to the whole "working out and sweating in places I've never sweated before" thing but am slowly growing to like it more and more. My husband downloaded an app that shows all the local hiking trails in the area, so we chose Iron Mountain a few Sunday's ago despite reading countless warnings about it being incredibly crowded on the weekends. We got up bright and early and drove to Iron Mountain, a little surprised to arrive around 7 am and to find the parking lot almost full. Oh well, we were warned. We found a spot, doused ourselves in sunscreen and headed up the trail. The misty cloud coverage made that morning particularly beautiful and cool. Long story short, the hike kicked my out-of-shape ass but we made it up in about an hour and 15, due to lots of little stops (for me. The husband could have powered through in under an hour). Once we finally made it to the top, the view was spectacular. It started getting warm around 8-8:30 am but top of the peak still sat above the clouds. We signed the book and hung out for about 15 minutes and then headed back down. The trip back down was much less exhausting except for the dodging of people coming up the trail or moving veeerrrryyy slowly back down. Start super early to miss a lot of the foot traffic! 6 and a bit miles, just over 3 hours, I'll take it! Can't wait to go back! read more
This was my first place that I did my first meetup for a hike. I was not sure what I was going into, but it was no that bad. It was very sunny the date I went. Our organizer had told us to bring water - I was glad she did! Going from the parking lot - which was a bit hard at first because it looked like there was no parking. There were people who had gone earlier to hike that were leaving which was perfect timing as there were many cars coming in to look for parking, I being one of them. My meetup group met in front of the Iron Mountain sign before walking in towards the mountains. Hiking for a beginner - it is definitely a workout as well as a good long 2 hour walk. I was surprised I lasted (this was before I started becoming active, mind you). It was somewhat brutal though as we went during the late morning-afternoon. I gotten some pretty bad sunburns mainly on my shoulders which I did not spray enough in time. So put that sunscreen on before you go out as well as bringing it with you! And water, yes! Keep hydrated. The path was smooth sandy texture before emerging to be rocky. But reaching the top. That made the whole hike so worth it. It was just a beautiful view to take in - perfect for IG pics. A couple of picnic seats at the top. Going back down - you need to have some energy let over! I did not realize how slow I was going until I reached the bottom and realized a good section of the group already finished! I will be going back again - though the next time more prepared with the sunscreen. On the random not, there was also a bunny shaped rock somewhere on the way that you could take a silly picture with. read more
To quote Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters" - "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!" (And then the mountain kicked ours on the way down.) Located off the 67, Iron Mountain is a three mile hike going up. My friends and I thought that we could handle it; one of us does the Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk, and many of us walk Lake Miramar on a regular basis. No big deal, right? Well, after a total of 5 hours going up and down, we were proven wrong. Iron Mountain is one hell of a hike - the climb will wear you down, and if you don't have the proper footwear, your feet will kill you. But, you will feel like you've accomplished something once you reach the top. Beautiful views abound here, and there's a mailbox containing a ledger where you can sign in. A great (if semi-difficult) hike overall - if I do this regularly, I'll be in shape in no time! Plus, one can overhear sone really interesting comments from various hikers on the trail. The best one I heard was, "I'm European; we don't need swimsuits." read more
So I have taken this hike twice, first time I took a left at the sign with all the different directions to go and I didn't get to the top! Second time around I took a right and got to the top! Advice: -either go early in the morning or go during non peak heat hours (between 10-3pm) -bring plenty of water -wear sunscreen and a hat When I reached the top, it wasn't easy because it was literally peak heat time. There are a few windy moments but overall the heat did it for me. It's not a hard hike, it's just long, loopy, and uphill on ur way to the top! I would do it again for fun but earlier in the morning! read more
For some reason, this park was very popular on Monday morning at 10:00 am, and parking lot was a bit congested, but we easily found a spot. I always write that people should bring water, but it's double here....bring more water than you need, AND a sun hat. Something that keeps the rays off your neck...You will thank me later! Easy approach with some tree covered parts of the trail gives way to the potential of some extreme hiking. We rounded a pond and started up a hill that turned out to be a small mountain. This portion of the trail was COVERED in rock shards and was quite steep. In years of hiking San Diego, have only turned back on a trail twice....once humping up to Mount Woodson, and this one. It was so steep, covered in rock shards and seemingly, never ending that I gave up about 3/4 of the way up. Will return some day to give it the full shot, but just ran out of gas. The scenery is exquisite and the flora/fauna exceptional. We saw some tarantula hawks that were HUGE and impressive to look at....keep in mind that the female(what we saw) has one of the most painful stings in the world....they are not very aggressive to humans, though. Be advised that many of these trails require a greater effort to navigate and many are not for beginning hikers...would recommend trekking poles and a good idea of how much effort you want to put in. read more
14 years ago
This place was awesome. It was def a tough climb for someone who is out of shape! (that would be me) Bring water, and probably a jacket if it's winter. Today it rained on us most of the hike. The good news is that there are tables at the top to plop your tired bones down and take a rest. The views are amazing. The only downside is that it's extremely busy and a lot of people bring their crazy dogs. I felt like I was dodging dogs and dog poop every 10 minutes. But aside from that, it was fantastic!! Oh one last tip for the ladies.....go potty before you get here. There's only one bathroom and it's at the bottom. (and super disgusting) read more
I am an avid older hiker. I love Iron Mountain. For me, it's a moderate hike. Parking can be limited so come early and if you can do a weekday hike it's much easier. It's uphill but not too steep, easy to find your way to the top. The trail is dog friendly, but must be on a leash. I also don't take my dogs on this particular trail during the summer unless it's an unusually cool day. The hike is fun and I feel safe doing it solo. read more
A nice beginner to moderate hike. There's a small parking lot and you can also park along the highway. Biggest tips: go early, wear sunscreen and bring lots of water! Given it's located more inland, it can get hot quick by late morning/early afternoon. And it is over 5 miles round trip with sparing shade. The hike is totally worth it, just plan smartly. There are some rocky climbs but spread out by nice longer switchbacks. It is dog on leash friendly, but please don't tempt hiking in any sort of heat with your canine buddies. read more
Iron mountain is one of my go-to hikes because of the close proximity to my house. There is a dirt parking lot and overflow parking on the side of the CA-67 freeway when the trail gets busy. It's a fairly quick ~5.2 mile out-and-back hike if you stay on the main path and don't take any of the accessory trails along the way. Plan for 2.5 hours at a leisurely conversational pace. I always wear my hiking boots on this trail because it tends to be rocky in multiple places - ankle support boots FTW; however, I've seen plenty of people wearing running shoes instead. There is minimal shade on the trail, so bring that sunscreen and water. I brought my 2.5L bladder and drank less than half of it, but it was during the early morning when heat wasn't too big of a factor. There's a picnic table at the summit and a useful telescope project from a local Eagle Scout troop that points out several surrounding peaks (see picture). Overall an easy and enjoyable trail with an elevation gain of ~1100 feet. FYI bring wipes and hand sanitizer because I hear the bathrooms are not the cleanest. read more
A great hike in the Poway area. Hubs and I really enjoy this one a lot. The parking lot has a good amount of spots, and when it gets full, people also park on the road, though I'd be hesitant to park on the 67. There's a restroom at the trailhead, these get real ripe in the summertime, so beware of that. Bring some hand sanitizer too-you'll want that. The trailhead is well marked with a pretty cool sign. The trail itself is pretty well maintained, but there is very little shade, so make sure you have something to cover your head, and wear your sunscreen. Just past the halfway point where there's a series of switchbacks, we ran into a bunch of bees. Bring your epi-pen if you're allergic! read more
I personally think this hike is easier than Mount Woodson. I've done this hike twice and like it a lot. The second time I went by myself. Trail is busy and safe. I mapped it with NikeRun and it was a lil less than 6 miles round trip. Sitting at the peak is my favorite part, especially on a clear day. read more
8 years ago
5 years ago
Great hike from start to finish and one of my favorites in San Diego. The views are amazing and scenic !! A must hike if you live here read more
6 years ago
Beautiful scenary and beautiful hike all the way through. I'm a semi beginner (haven't hiked for the past year) and I would say this trail wasn't too difficult. We started at the parking lot (located at the intersection of hwy 67 & Poway Rd). There's a porta potty located in the parking lot (please close the door after each use!). Plenty of parking spaces when we came around 10 am on a Saturday (it was right after Thanksgiving so I'm not sure if it was less crowded due to the timing). It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the top with a few breaks. Definitely come before 10 am if you can since it gets extremely hot. Luckily we came on a cloudy day, otherwise we would probably be covered in sunburns - there isn't much shade on the trail except for the beginning slope. read more
8 years ago
A great hike in eastern San Diego! I've done this hike 3 times and from my experience, it is most busy Saturday and Sunday mornings 8am - 11am and sunset times, with fairly sparse crowds any time else. Difficulty: moderate. Starts with about a half mile walk on flat dirt and the beginning and then incline most of the way up the rest of the way. About 6 miles round trip and takes about 2-3 hours at a nice walking pace to complete, depending in how many times you stop. Parking and directions: getting to the place is easy, google maps will lead you right to the start of the trail. Parking is not too crowded as there is a large parking lot and street parking just outside the gates as well. Picture spots: at the top of the peak at the end of the trail, make sure you go to the rocks at the very edge that overlook the lake and all the mountains! You have to pass through the bushes a bit but the view is great from there, def the best instagrammable spot haha. Dogs: dogs are frequently seen on the trail but they often look very tired. Poway gets hot, 75-95 F in the summer. I wouldn't bring my little chubby canine friends here personally, and I would not recommend bringing your dog unless they have a lot of energy and are okay with heat. If you do, make sure to bring them a water bowl and doggie bags because there are none around. Restrooms: there are two restrooms and they're always pretty dirty and have no toilet paper. Your only other options are go at home ahead of time, hold it, or.. find a bush! Wildlife: haven't seen much here. Mostly lizards, lizards, and more lizards. Lastly, always bring lots of water!! read more
4 years ago
This hike is amazing really pretty views!! Bring LOTS OF WATER!!! If you don't bring water you will get dehydrated!! On hot days I do recommend bringing a hat or a spray water bottle STAY cool we also found these flowers on or hike!! read more
9 years ago
15 years ago
This is a very nice hike, not too long ... I found it rough in some areas with rocks (watch your step, especially going back down). A lot of shrubs on either side and some beautiful miniature flowers scattered throughout. If you plan a hike and don't like the heat arrive early. We began our hike around 8:30 am and it was already very warm. Bring water, small snack and sunscreen. Very little shade (from the shrubs). As mentioned in the other reviews you will see plenty of dogs, and beware of the runners coming down hill, hopefully you will move fast enough to get out of their way. I would come back again, but earlier to beat the heat. read more
4 years ago
More info about Iron Mountain
14847-14909 California Hwy 67
Poway, CA 92064
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Ask the Community - Iron Mountain
Is this beginner friendly hike? Looking to do more hiking with my friend!
The total distance is about 6 miles (out & back) with elevation gain of 1,125 ft. So it's rated as "moderate" (i.e., more difficult than "easy").
Is this hike open during the COVID-19 lockdown period?
Yes. No restrooms open though. Hand washing station available when we went!
Is this trail pretty clear to easily wear my babies on me for?
Not sure how old your kids are, but mine started hiking with hiking boots when she was about six. There are rattlesnakes - lots. Lake Poway is a much better place - row boats to rent, kids playground - ducks and wildlife and it's nice and cool. Iron…
Review Highlights - Iron Mountain
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