Burnt Mountain via Ironstone Trail
One of the highest trailheads in the state at 6,300 feet, the Ironstone Trail on Bethel Ridge offers views right from the beginning. Most of the route is ridge walking in and out of trees, so the views keep you gawking most of the hike. Keep and eye out for wildlife, we ran into a huge brown bear as we came around a corner.
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Access:
A few miles east of Rimrock, look for the signed Bethel Ridge Road. Follow the wide gravel road avoiding any smaller turn-offs. Upon reaching the ridgetop saddle, a signed road saying "Cash Prairie" turns left. Follow this road around 4 miles to the end at the Ironstone Trailhead. There are a few camping spots as well.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Summit Elevation: 6,536 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet RT
Access: Good Gravel Roads
Route:
The trail starts out in the woods but soon opens up as it drops a few hundred feet. It follows the ridge heading west. The trail traverses the south side of a high knob, then turns southwest dropping into a meadow (where we saw the bear). From the meadow, the trail does a final 350 foot climb up Burnt Mountain. (No summit pictures in this report because I turned around with my young kids due to some issues with the bear).
Nelson Ridge Peaks (Mt. Aix & Bismarck Peak area) east of Bumping Lake
Final drop down to the meadow with the summit of Burnt Mountain on the right
On the ridge
In the trees near the trailhead
Trailhead campsite
Timberwolf Mountain north of the trailhead, from the trailhead viewpoint
From the first viewpoint on the trail, looking to Burnt Mt. in the center with Shellrock Peak to the right of it
Looking SW
Looking south to Divide Ridge
Looking SE to Jumpoff Lookout on Divide Ridge
Mt. Adams in the distance