Iron Mountain Road

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Hike-a-bike

Trail is accessed in the South via the historic town of Elkhorn where there are some basic visitor facilities such as toilets, information signs, parking and picnic sites. Trail is accessed in the North via Muskrat Creek or Iron Mine Trail.

Iron Mountain Road connects the town of Elkhorn in the South to the Muskrat Creek Drainage in the north via the western flank of Elkhorn Peak. On a mountain bike it can be ridden in either direction, although obviously it is far more difficult to ride it uphill from South to North. In saying that, it is possibly more common to ride it in this direction as part of a loop that finishes by riding down Muskrat Creek Singletrack. The trail is rideable as an ascent, however it is extremely physically demanding and all but the strongest climbers will have to get off and push their bikes for a while. The steepest part of the trail starts about 2 miles up, and lasts for roughly a half mile, before the trail mellows out and comes to the apex at mile 3. At this point there is a junction with another doubletrack trail off the right that heads up towards the shoulder of Elkhorn Peak.

Not far after the apex, there is a nice place to catch a view, followed by some old mining cabins and an old truck. Just past these cabins there is a trail sign where the trail changes to Muskrat Creek Trail and becomes non-motorized. This part of Muskrat Creek Trail is doubletrack and feels more like a continuation of Iron Mountain Road. It doesn't turn into singletrack until you get to the junction with Iron Mine Trail.