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

0 mi597 – 807 ft3.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: John & Alice Butler Trail 42.46326, -90.66442
Nearest town Rockdale, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

  1. Start on John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.2 miContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading SW.
  3. 250 ftBear left onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
  5. 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto 2, heading SE.
  7. 100 ftTurn left onto Lead Mine Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.2 miBear left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading NE.
  9. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
  10. 0.1 miTurn right onto Mines of Spain Road, heading E.
  11. 250 ftReach John & Alice Butler Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 200 ftTurn left onto Calcite Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Mesquakie Trail, heading N.
  14. 0.9 miBear right onto Lead Mine Trail, heading W.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right onto 2, heading W.
  16. 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
  17. 250 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
  18. 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading W.
  19. 50 ftBear right onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
  20. 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading W.
  21. 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

50% dirt16% paved4% grass30% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:50 AMSunset 7:04 PM

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

More sunset hikes nearby