Backbone Lake–Bluebird Trail, 3 sights
2.9 mi · ▲ 280 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Backbone Lake–Bluebird Trail, 3 sights is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Backbone State Park near Forestville, IA. The route reaches Backbone Lake. It climbs 280 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade. It scores 38/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Backbone Lake–Bluebird Trail, 3 sights
2.9 mi · ▲ 280 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Elevation 1,000–1,129 ft
Out & Back · Backbone State Park
Trailhead: Bluebird Trail · 42.61683, -91.55169
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:09 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Bluebird Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto East Lake Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Backbone Lake.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftReach Backbone Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Bluebird Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:48 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:09 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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Hikes near Forestville, Iowa