Matsell Bridge Natural Area

B Trail & Purple Trail

4.7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 36 min

B Trail & Purple Trail is a 4.7-mile out-and-back in Matsell Bridge Natural Area near Jackson, IA. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 49/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi791 – 896 ft4.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.14228, -91.38505
Nearest town Jackson, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

B Trail & Purple Trail

4.7 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 36 min

Elevation 791–897 ft

Out & Back · Matsell Bridge Natural Area

Trailhead: 42.14228, -91.38505

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:08 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 250 ftBear right, heading W.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  4. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  5. 0.2 miContinue straight onto B Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.6 miTurn right onto Purple Trail, heading S.
  7. 1.3 miReach B Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 1.3 miTurn left onto B Trail, heading S.
  9. 0.8 miTurn left, heading NE.
  10. 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  11. 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
  12. 100 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

72% dirt28% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:52 AMSunset 7:08 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~8 min). Leave by 6:40 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 5 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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