Iron Mountain & Cone Peak Loops

Enjoy hikes with the highest wildflower diversity and one of most spectacular subalpine wildflower bloom displays in Oregon. Hikes take you though eleven wildflower habitats including a small prairie, moist and boreal forest, subalpine meadows, rock gardens, rocky seeps, snowbed emerging blooms, and more. Most of the 300+ species of wildflowers in the western Cascades are found on Cone Peak and Iron Mountain. This area also offers one of Oregon's most diverse and abundant butterfly viewing opportunities and 17 species of tree, more than anywhere else in Oergon.

getting there

The trails are located near Tombstone Pass off US-20, between Sweet Home and Santiam Pass. 

on the trail

  • Hike the Cone Peak Trail No. 3408 to Cone Meadows combined with Tombstone Prairie Trail No. 3420 for 5.4 miles round trip and 1,050 feet of elevation gain.
  • Hike the 5.0-mile loop with 1,000 feet of elevation gain that circles Iron Mountain and includes Cone Meadows.  Add the 1.4-mile round trip with 800 feet of elevation gain on Iron Mountain Lookout Trail No. 3389 for a total of 6.4 miles round trip and 1,800 feet of elevation gain. 
  • These trails may be combined into one long loop hike for 7.8 miles and 1,900 feet of elevation gain including full Iron Mountain--Cone Peak Loop and Iron Mountain lookout and summit.

flora & fauna

  • Hikes take you though eleven wildflower habitats including a small prairie, moist and boreal forest, subalpine meadows, rock gardens, rocky seeps, snowbed emerging blooms, and more.
  • Most of the 300+ species of wildflowers in the western Cascades are found on Cone Peak and Iron Mountain.
  • The prime wildflower season is June to August and peaks in mid-June to mid-July.
  • Iron Mountain and Cone Peak area also offers one of Oregon's most diverse and abundant butterfly viewing opportunities.
  • At 17, there are more species of trees here than anywhere else in Oregon.
  • From Oregon Flora, Vol. 1 (50 Botanical Sites):

notes

Recommended books in addition to our 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon guidebook:

  • Hiking Guidebook: Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner (Westcliffe Publishers 2003)
  • Hiking Guidebook: 100 Hikes / Travel Guide: Central Oregon Cascades, 4th ed. by William L. Sullivan (2012)
  • Hiking Guidebook: 100 Classic Hikes Oregon
  • Wildflower Guide:  Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest by Mark Turner & Phyllis Gustafson (Timber Press 2006)
  • Wildflower Guide: Wildflowers of the Western Cascades by Robert A. Ross & Henrietta L. Cambers (Timber Press 2005)
  • Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
  • Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October, November
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 7.8 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
  • 5,646 ft
Map
  • USGS Harter Mountain
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Day Hike - Iron Mountain & Cone Peak Loops

Day Hiking Trip
Spend Juneteenth hiking with some of the most amazing wildflowers around and summit Iron Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Wed, Jun 19, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
5 participants
Registration closes Jun 17
Olympia Branch
Melody George
Qualified Youth Leader

Day Hike - Iron Mountain & Cone Peak Loops

Naturalist Trip
Leisurely hikes to enjoy peak wildflower blooms and butterflies on Iron Mtn/Cone Peak loop 7/1
Difficulty: Moderate
Sun, Jun 30, 2024 - Wed, Jul 3, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 1 leader
Registration closes Jun 23
Seattle Branch
Linda Moore
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Iron Mountain (OR)
  • Cone Peak (OR)
  • Iron Mountain / Cone Peak (Western Cascades, OR)
Resources

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