Matsell Bridge Natural Area

Blue Trail & Yellow Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Blue Trail & Yellow Trail is a 3.5-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 50/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi787 – 886 ft3.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Green Trail 42.14342, -91.39235
Nearest town Jackson, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Blue Trail & Yellow Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Elevation 789–884 ft

Out & Back · Matsell Bridge Natural Area

Trailhead: Green Trail · 42.14342, -91.39235

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Green Trail, heading E.
  2. 150 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left onto Purple Trail, heading S.
  4. 0.7 miTurn left onto Blue Trail, heading SE.
  5. 0.6 miReach Yellow Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 1 miBear left onto Yellow Trail, heading N.
  7. 0.7 miTurn left, heading W.
  8. 0.1 miTurn right onto Green Trail, heading W.
  9. 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

94% dirt6% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:52 AMSunset 7:08 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 6:43 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 8 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Green Trail Trailhead