AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Gay Lea Wilson Trail

4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min

Gay Lea Wilson Trail is a 4.2-mile out-and-back near Ankeny, IA. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi915 – 968 ft5.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.73203, -93.58084
Nearest town Ankeny, IA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Gay Lea Wilson Trail

4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min

Elevation 916–969 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.73203, -93.58084

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:13 PM

Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 451 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 1.6 miSharp right, heading S.
  3. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  4. 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  6. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  8. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  9. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  10. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  11. 100 ftTurn left, heading S.
  12. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  14. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  15. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  16. 100 ftTurn right onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading SW.
  17. 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  18. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  19. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  20. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  21. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  23. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  24. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  25. 150 ftBear left, heading W.
  26. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  27. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  29. 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  30. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  31. 350 ftSharp right, heading E.
  32. 50 ftSharp left, heading E.
  33. 1.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/gay-lea-wilson-trail-out-back-7-km-f9a4

Trail surface

17% paved83% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.1 mi in (~52 min). Leave by 6:01 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 451 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Ankeny, Iowa