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):
Iron Mountain, along with nearby Cone Peak and Tombstone Prairie, is well known as a botanical hot spot due to the diverse habitats present, from moist forest to dry meadow and rock outcrops, with significant disjunct species from east of the Cascades as well. In late spring and early summer, the open slopes are carpeted with species such as Cascade mariposa lily, harsh Indian paintbrush, Menzies' larkspur, and skyrocket. Also of Hells Canyon rockcress, Gordon's iversia, and five species of Penstemon. |
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
- Land Manager: Willamette National Forest
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- USGS Harter Mountain
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)
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