On the 4th of July I did the hike up to Iron Mountain on a hot beautiful day.
There were lots of columbine along the trail:
The trail traverses the lower slope of Cone Peak (which is right next door to Iron Mountain):
The trail crossed this huge rocky area where a billion wildflowers were blooming. All the hikers going through here were stopping to take pictures. It was a pretty impressive display:
I encountered some ladies who were tallying all the wildflowers they saw on the hike. They said they were up to 50!
Looking west to Iron Mountain:
After a hike through the forest and a steep climb, I reached the summit of Iron Mountain. There’s an old fire lookout up here. Apparently the lookout that preceded this one blew off the mountain in a 1976 windstorm. Yikes! It was a hot day and most hikers were huddled in the shade of the building:
Looking northwest:
Mt. Hood peeking into view to the north. Three Pyramids on the right:
Mt. Jefferson:
The Three Sisters:
View to the south and Diamond Peak:
Looking down on the highway:
After leaving the summit I looped back to my car at Tombstone Pass. Great hike!
