Heaton Flats to Fish Fork (Iron Mtn. North Ridge Attempt) - Which Gully to Take?

[sh44]

Was attempting to do Iron's North ridge today, but could not find the correct gully/area to start up? I initially went past Fish Fork and started somewhere upwards, but it was extremely dense with brush and chaparral, so backed off, since it seemed I was in the wrong area. For those of you have done it, I would appreciate any advice or info?

On my way back, just before Fish Fork, I think I saw a somewhat small, open gully that looked steep, but doable - do not have a picture though... I was cross-referencing the TRVRS trip report while doing this today, but I apparently didn't follow it correctly. I had started from Heaton Flats around 1:40 p.m. and didn't get to Fish Fork/start of North Ridge until ~4:30 p.m., so decided to turn back since it was already late. I've attached some Google Earth images of the route near Fish Fork area if any of you can identify it from the satellite views. I see that Falls Gulch (?), but don't know if the ridge is even accessible from that.

Hoping this will help other people also who attempt Iron North ridge, just so they can continue up the ridge, rather than returning the long way back through the East Fork!!?

[headsizeburrito]

It does seem a bit tricky to find, when I did the north ridge (report in this thread) I picked the wrong one and had a pretty rough time getting up to the ridge. That said, if you leave early enough (i.e. a bit before 1:40pm!) you can probably find a workable route with a bit of willpower, even if it isn't ideal. The north ridge is supposed to be a little hard!

[AW~]

This thread is the historical way of going to the North ridge...
north-ridge-iron-mountain-t1635.html

[sh44]

Thanks HSB. I read Kick_Rocks trip report as well as yours. You had a fast time and some good pictures.

Thanks AW for that link - has a lot of VERY good pictures and information, which I will definitely check out.