West Royce and Iron Mountain

Submitted by Pat

Stats
Mountains: West Royce (3,210), Iron Mountain (2,726)
Date: August 23, 2017
Miles: 1.8 for Iron Mountain, 7.6 for West Royce
Trails: East Royce Trail — Royce Connector Trail — Royce Trail — Iron Mountain Trail

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The East Royce Trail starts climbing and I become winded and slow down almost immediately. It feels like I am back on Letrozole, the chemo drug I was taking, but I know the breathlessness and fatigue are my own – I’m out of shape with a touch of asthma. I push hard to get up the first mile-long steep section. Dripping sweat and excreting energy, I slowly hike up to the intersection of the Royce Trail. We pass the trail leading to the summit of East Royce and continue on the Royce Connector Trail.

We hike through a beautiful ledgy section, not very long and not very wide, with lots of sun and some views. I suggest we return after we tag West Royce and eat lunch on the ledges.

We arrive at the summit, check out the views, take some pictures, eat a tangerine and a power bar before heading back to the ledges for lunch. The trail is pretty sketchy in places, eroded. The high steps onto rocks and ledges start to take a toll on my legs shortly after we enter the steep section. I fall behind, but this time I don’t feel hopeless. I feel like a 62-year-old woman trying to hustle her unfit body down a steep trail. There are few switchbacks. Between slick dirt, static and shifting rocks, and the constant presence of tree roots to either master or slip and fall back to try again, I move cautiously. I’m not feeling particularly strong but get a second wind that helps.

Iron Mountain is an easy climb that feels like a hill rather than a mountain. We don’t take the time to walk down to the ledges and check out the view. We are finished with hiking. Time to go home.