Black Trail & Yellow Trail
5.8 mi · ▲ 169 ft · 2 hr 1 min
Black Trail & Yellow Trail is a 5.8-mile out-and-back in Matsell Bridge Natural Area near Viola, IA. It is mostly level, with 169 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 49/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Black Trail & Yellow Trail
5.8 mi · ▲ 169 ft · 2 hr 1 min
Elevation 791–881 ft
Out & Back · Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Trailhead: A Trail · 42.13193, -91.38670
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:08 PM
Toilets at the trailhead
- Start on A Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Yellow Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Blue Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Purple Trail, heading W.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Black Trail, heading NE.
- 0.6 miReach Yellow Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Purple Trail, heading SE.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto Blue Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Yellow Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto A Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 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 2.8 mi in (~72 min). Leave by 5:37 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
More from A Trail Trailhead
- Purple Trail & Yellow Trail 5 mi · ▲ 110 ft
- Blue Trail & Yellow Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 55 ft
- B Trail & Yellow Trail Loop 2.9 mi · ▲ 57 ft
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