The Iron / Lum Ride

Start / End: Intersection of Forest Road 90 and state Route 58 (6 miles from Damascus)
Configuration: Loop
Length: 13 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

The Iron Mountain Trail is blazed with YELLOW RECTANGLES

The Lum Trail is blazed with YELLOW TRIANGLES.

Park at the intersection of Forest Road 90 and Route 58 about 6 miles east on US 58/ US 91 Start this ride by proceeding up the dirt road (FR 90) appx ½ mile.

You will see a gated service road on your left and a yellow diamond blaze on a tree near this gate. Turn left, go through the gate and continue ascending on this grassy doubletrack known as the Bushwacker Trail. Go appx 1/2 mile and you will see a large rock pile and a big log next to a trail on the right. Turn right, blaze is on tree about 50 feet in from service road.

Dismount your bike and carry up the side of this hill (very short). Ride to the right, across creek and follow this trail as it ascends gently up, levels out then starts to drop.

Pass the sandy Flats Shelter, on your left, and proceed straight down to FR 90. Turn right and climb the dirt road back up to the Iron Mountain Trail Intersection. Turn left at the yellow rectangle blazed Iron Mountain Trail. This is also the second half of the Highlands Challenge Loop. Stay on the IMT until you get to the trail intersection at Shaw's Gap.

Continue straight on the yellow blazed IMT for about 4 miles. You will arrive at a shelter on your right.

Make a right on this trail called the Lum Trail. It is blazed with yellow traingles. A nice downhill with several small creek crossings will ultimately bring you out at the Chipmunk Circle campground at Beartree Recreation Area. From here you take a right on the road (Beartree Gap Road) down to the Route 58 intersection. Turn right and take US 58 back to the car!