Backbone Lake–County Road C57 Viewpoint, 3 sights
3.2 mi · ▲ 278 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Backbone Lake–County Road C57 Viewpoint, 3 sights is a 3.2-mile out-and-back in Backbone State Park near Forestville, IA. The route passes County Road C57 Viewpoint and Backbone Lake. It climbs 278 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly gravel. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Backbone Lake–County Road C57 Viewpoint, 3 sights
3.2 mi · ▲ 278 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 998–1,129 ft
Out & Back · Backbone State Park
Trailhead: County Road C57 · 42.61690, -91.55787
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:09 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 50 ftPass County Road C57 Viewpoint.
- 50 ftPass Backbone Lake.
- 150 ftTurn left onto East Lake Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
- 1.3 miReach Backbone Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.6 miTurn right, heading N.
- 50 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 6:34 PM for the 7:09 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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Hikes near Forestville, Iowa