Easter Lake Park

Easter Lake–Barb Wire Point, 4 beaches

7.1 mi · ▲ 164 ft · 2 hr 27 min

Easter Lake–Barb Wire Point, 4 beaches is a 7.1-mile out-and-back in Easter Lake Park near East Des Moines, IA. The route passes Easter Lake, Barb Wire Point and Easter Lake Beach. It is mostly level, with 164 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi814 – 942 ft7.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Mark C. Ackelson Trail 41.54191, -93.57384
Nearest town East Des Moines, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Easter Lake–Barb Wire Point, 4 beaches

7.1 mi · ▲ 164 ft · 2 hr 27 min

Elevation 813–942 ft

Out & Back · Easter Lake Park

Trailhead: Mark C. Ackelson Trail · 41.54191, -93.57384

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:00 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Mark C. Ackelson Trail, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Easter Lake.
  3. 0.5 miPass Barb Wire Point.
  4. 50 ftPass Easter Lake Beach.
  5. 1.1 miBear right, heading S.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  7. 1.3 miSharp left onto Easter Lake Connector Trails, heading W.
  8. 0.6 miReach Easter Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.6 miSharp right, heading W.
  10. 1.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Mark C. Ackelson Trail, heading E.
  12. 1.6 miSharp right, heading W.
  13. 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

46% paved54% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:00 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.2 mi in (~81 min). Leave by 5:36 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead