Copper Creek Lake via Gay Lea Wilson Trail
9.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 3 hr 12 min
Copper Creek Lake via Gay Lea Wilson Trail is a 9.5-mile out-and-back in Copper Creek Lake Park near Altoona, IA. The route reaches Copper Creek Lake. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Copper Creek Lake via Gay Lea Wilson Trail
9.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 3 hr 12 min
Elevation 798–921 ft
Out & Back · Copper Creek Lake Park
Trailhead: 41.64221, -93.48388
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:00 AM · sunset 7:16 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading SW.
- 4.1 miPass Copper Creek Lake.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.6 miReach Copper Creek Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 4.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 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 2.3 mi in (~56 min). Leave by 6:00 PM for the 7:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Youngstown Bike Trail & Youngstown Trail via Gay Lea Wilson Trail 11.5 mi · ▲ 253 ft
- Gay Lea Wilson Trail 7 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Gay Lea Wilson Trail 7.2 mi · ▲ 136 ft
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Hikes near Altoona, Iowa