High Trestle Trail

4.6 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 33 min

High Trestle Trail is a 4.6-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 ft5.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.73331, -93.58163
Nearest town Ankeny, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

High Trestle Trail

4.6 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 33 min

Elevation 916–969 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.73331, -93.58163

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

Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 382 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  3. 300 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  5. 1.6 miSharp right, heading S.
  6. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  7. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  9. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  11. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  12. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  13. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  14. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  17. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  18. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  19. 150 ftTurn left onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading W.
  20. 200 ftContinue straight onto High Trestle Trail, heading SW.
  21. 200 ftContinue straight onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading N.
  22. 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  23. 50 ftContinue straight onto High Trestle Trail, heading W.
  24. 200 ftContinue straight onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading W.
  25. 200 ftTurn right, heading W.
  26. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  27. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  28. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  29. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  30. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  31. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  32. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  33. 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  34. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  35. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  36. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  37. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  38. 300 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  39. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  40. 1.6 miTurn left, heading N.
  41. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  42. 300 ftTurn left, heading N.
  43. 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

17% paved83% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.2 mi in (~54 min). Leave by 5:59 PM for the 7:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 382 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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