San Diego: Iron Mountain via Ellie Lane
Loop 8.3 miles through coastal sage and eucalyptus to views of mountain-ringed beaches and the Pacific Ocean.
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today.
Mapped by Rajeev Jain
Trail Facts
- Distance: 10.9
Waypoints
IML001
Location: 32.987720489502, -116.97679901123
Head E on Ellie Lane Trail; start ascent into canyon
IML002
Location: 32.990161895752, -116.962097167969
Reach broad face of Table Rock and turn R toward neighboring canyon
IML003
Location: 32.9849815368652, -116.960998535156
Turn L and climb over second saddle; first views over the Ramona Valley and far-off mountains of Cleveland NF
IML004
Location: 32.9845809936523, -116.952499389648
Veer NE and then turn R, heading downhill
IML005
Location: 32.9834403991699, -116.950401306152
Continue downhill through dry streambed
IML006
Location: 32.9776725769043, -116.952941894531
Turn L onto Iron Mountain Summit Trail, more views E through pines
IML007
Location: 32.9759254455566, -116.952033996582
R @ Y, continue around E side of 2,696-ft. Iron Mountain
IML008
Location: 32.9738883972168, -116.952842712402
Path leads over false summit with big red rocks covered in black lichen
IML009
Location: 32.9734077453613, -116.955123901367
Climb rocky, sage-covered terrain
IML010
Location: 32.970703125, -116.955490112305
Cone of Iron Mtn. offers view E over shimmering Pacific; to S, see Barona Valley. Head back to WPT 6 and turn L
IML011
Location: 32.9772758483887, -116.959899902344
L @ 3-way; cross seasonal creek and descend into canyon. Watch for neon-pink Indian warrior plants, which bloom from January-June
IML012
Location: 32.9774703979492, -116.966499328613
Seasonally, watch for yucca blooms and fragrant wild sage returning after 2003 Cedar Fire; pass small pond in .3 mi.
IML013
Location: 32.9823875427246, -116.973976135254
Turn R and head N back to trailhead
