Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 754 ft · 2 hr 5 min
Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Cattese, IA. It climbs 754 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail–Mesquakie Trail, 3 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 754 ft · 2 hr 5 min
Elevation 598–810 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.46327, -90.63593
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Toilets at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading SW.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading NW.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Pine Chapel Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miReach Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Mesquakie Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading SE.
- 0.7 miSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading E.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~30 min). Leave by 6:15 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- America's State Tree Woodland Walk–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 4 sights 5.2 mi · ▲ 777 ft
- Calcite Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 59 ft
- Calcite Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 365 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 219 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 205 ft
- Calcite Trail 2 mi · ▲ 219 ft
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