Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Calcite Trail–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights
3.2 mi · ▲ 282 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Calcite Trail–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights is a 3.2-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Rockdale, IA. It climbs 282 ft. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Calcite Trail–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights
3.2 mi · ▲ 282 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 598–808 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: John & Alice Butler Trail · 42.46326, -90.66442
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:50 AM · sunset 7:04 PM
- Start on John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear left onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto 2, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Lead Mine Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading NE.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Mines of Spain Road, heading E.
- 250 ftReach John & Alice Butler Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Calcite Trail, heading NE.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Mesquakie Trail, heading N.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Lead Mine Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto 2, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading W.
- 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 0.3 mi in (~7 min). Leave by 6:36 PM for the 7:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 5 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
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Hikes near Rockdale, Iowa