The Ironmask Hill area is a series of hills, meadows, grasslands, ponds, and forested slopes found between Coal Hill and the Lac le Jeune Road.   I have been informed that it is owned by Sugarloaf Ranch, but is now designated to be part of the Ajax Mine site.   Old mine sites can still be found in the area.   Remnants of the Galaxie Mine still stand by Galaxie Lake and there are a few dilapidated old cabins and homesteads nearby.   The whole area will be transformed into an open pit mine soon.   We quietly hiked into the area for a lollipop-shaped route on an early spring sunny day, encountering no signage for the entire route.   We had lunch on top of Ironmask Hill and enjoyed the fine view.

A few hikers and mountain bikers use these trails, but it is a quiet area that sees very little activity.   After the winter, we saw two carcasses, a few footprints, and lots of deer and moose sign.   Snow lingered on the north-facing slopes and the wildflowers were not yet in bloom.   We hiked for 11.8 km; most of the up and down was on the first stage (the stick of the lollipop).

Our lollipop route

For most posts to the site, specific information for hikers, bikers, paddlers, or snowshoers is provided, but not for this area.   If you want to explore the area, contact the land owner for permission first, be aware of any other private property issues, fences (we did not cross any), cattle grazing (never disturb), and some hazards.

An old cabin next to the old mine.	One of the mine pits.
One of two carcasses along our route.	The mine next to Galaxie Lake
Narrow guage rails from the mine	A melting pond.
The view from Ironmask Hill	More views