AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights

5.6 mi · ▲ 721 ft · 2 hr 14 min

Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Rockdale, IA. It climbs 721 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 27/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi597 – 810 ft · steepest grade: 17%5.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: E. B. Lyons Road 42.45916, -90.66430
Nearest town Rockdale, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights

5.6 mi · ▲ 721 ft · 2 hr 14 min

Elevation 598–810 ft

Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Trailhead: E. B. Lyons Road · 42.45916, -90.66430

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on E. B. Lyons Road, heading W.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 50 ftBear right onto 2, heading N.
  4. 250 ftTurn left onto Lead Mine Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miBear left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading SE.
  6. 0.9 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.7 miSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.3 miBear right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading E.
  9. 0.1 miSharp right, heading SE.
  10. 50 ftSharp left onto Wetland Trail, heading SE.
  11. 250 ftTurn left onto Sauk and Fox Trail, heading SE.
  12. 0.5 miReach Mesquakie Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 0.5 miTurn right onto Wetland Trail, heading N.
  14. 250 ftSharp right, heading N.
  15. 50 ftSharp left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading N.
  16. 0.1 miBear left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading NW.
  17. 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.7 miTurn left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading N.
  19. 0.9 miBear right onto Lead Mine Trail, heading SW.
  20. 0.2 miTurn right onto 2, heading W.
  21. 250 ftBear left, heading W.
  22. 50 ftTurn left onto E. B. Lyons Road, heading W.
  23. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/horseshoe-bluff-nature-trail-mesquakie-trail-out-back-3-sights

Trail surface

83% dirt17% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:05 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~44 min). Leave by 6:01 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from E. B. Lyons Road Trailhead

Hikes near Rockdale, Iowa