Gray's Lake–EMC Overlook, 5 lakes
2.5 mi · ▲ 109 ft · 53 min
Gray's Lake–EMC Overlook, 5 lakes is a 2.5-mile out-and-back in Gray's Lake Park near Des Moines, IA. The route passes MacRae Park Pond, EMC Overlook, Gray's Lake and Gray's Lake Park Beach before reaching Gray's Lake Park Beach at the turnaround, 1 miles in. It is mostly level, with 109 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Gray's Lake–EMC Overlook, 5 lakes
2.5 mi · ▲ 109 ft · 53 min
Elevation 784–924 ft
Out & Back · Gray's Lake Park
Trailhead: MacRae Park Trail · 41.56684, -93.62815
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:17 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on MacRae Park Trail, heading NE.
- 250 ftPass MacRae Park Pond.
- 500 ftPass EMC Overlook.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Meredith Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miPass Gray's Lake.
- 50 ftPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Kruidenier Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Meredith to Bill Riley Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miReach Gray's Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Kruidenier Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Meredith Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto MacRae Park Trail, heading NE.
- 400 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 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 6:55 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 11 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from MacRae Park Trail Trailhead
- EMC Overlook–MacRae Park Pond, 3 sights 2.1 mi · ▲ 108 ft
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