County Route 2 Iron Mine Hill

County Route 2 climbs Iron Mine Hill through some of the most challenging terrain in the eastern Adirondacks, following an old mining road that serviced the Crown Point Iron Company operations in the 1800s. The route starts innocuously near Ironville but quickly turns serious as it climbs through a series of rock ledges and loose stone sections that demand careful line choice. Historical remnants dot the landscape — rusted mining equipment, collapsed adits, and stone foundations that speak to the area’s industrial past when iron from these hills helped build America.

This is expert-level driving that requires experienced operators and capable rigs with front and rear lockers. The steepest sections hit 30% grades over loose rock and exposed ledge that’ll punish anything without proper armor. Spring is a nightmare with mud and runoff; late fall through early winter offers the best traction once things freeze solid. No services or cell coverage — come prepared with recovery gear and plenty of water. The payoff is standing where 19th-century miners carved a living from solid rock, with views across Lake Champlain that few people ever see.