Iron Springs Trail

Iron Springs Trail connects Ridge Trail and Blackhawk Trail. Thus, it is typically a section of a longer hike. It is easily accessible from the activity area in the center of Mt. Madonna County Park by taking Ridge Trail from its end point, for 0.5 miles, or by parking at the archery range and hiking less than a tenth of a mile on Ridge Trail. Alternatively, Iron Springs Trail can easily be reached by hiking 0.1 miles on Blackhawk Trail from the Blackhawk Trail start parking area. Iron Springs Trail is entirely in the dense, lush mixed redwood forest from end to end. From its trail start shown in this description, Iron Springs Trail is flat as it winds through the forest for the first quarter mile. It then heads down a hillside into Blackhawk Canyon, passing Redwood Trail and Iron Springs/Rock Springs Trail Connector on the way. This descent is a bit steep in places as the trail winds around on a few wide switchbacks. Towards the bottom of the descent, the valley walls are steep and with the thick forest it can be dark down here even on a sunny day. Iron Springs Trail reaches Blackhawk Trail after 0.55 miles, at the bottom of Blackhawk Canyon and ends here.