MacRae Park

EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights

2.1 mi · ▲ 108 ft · 45 min

EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights is a 2.1-mile out-and-back in MacRae Park near Des Moines, IA. The route passes MacRae Park Pond and EMC Overlook. It is mostly level, with 108 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi791 – 919 ft2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: MacRae Park Trail 41.56821, -93.62684
Nearest town Des Moines, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights

2.1 mi · ▲ 108 ft · 45 min

Elevation 791–918 ft

Out & Back · MacRae Park

Trailhead: MacRae Park Trail · 41.56821, -93.62684

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 719 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on MacRae Park Trail, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass MacRae Park Pond.
  3. 500 ftPass EMC Overlook.
  4. 500 ftTurn right onto Meredith Trail, heading SE.
  5. 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
  6. 0.5 miContinue straight onto 2nd Avenue Sidepath, heading N.
  7. 0.5 miReach EMC Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Meredith Trail, heading N.
  9. 0.5 miTurn left onto MacRae Park Trail, heading SW.
  10. 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

35% paved65% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:01 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:57 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:17 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:45 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 719 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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