From Iron Creek trailhead, travel .3 miles N up 16A. At a forest service gate leave the road and follow the draw to the west. Do not follow the abandoned road up the hill, stay due west through the folliage in the bottom of the draw. You will pass along the south edge of a long, beautiful meadow. In the center of the meadow is the old Cuyahogo mine foundation. Near the west end of the meadow a trail will be more evident.

This trail climbs up a rocky slope for a few hundred yards before intersecting with the Iron Mountain trail. A nice side trip is to follow Iron Mt. trail to the NW and return to this point. Take the Iron Mt. trail south for about 1 mile. This stretch is all downhill. You will come out on very slightly used gravel road.

Follow this road left (E) for about a mile to get to the west end of the Iron Creek trail. This trail follows the creek (12 creek crossings) through a beautiful valley. You will come out at the east trailhead near Lakota lake. This is a great fall hike. It can be done in reverse just as easily. This is an awesome mountain biking trail as well, but part of Iron Mt. trail is closed during March, June and July.

The trailhead is cross the highway from Lakota Lake, about 3 miles down Iron Mountain towards Custer State park on 16A, south of Keystone.

A scenic loop through meadows, between rock outcroppings, and along a creek through a canyon.