Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Calcite Trail–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 3 sights
3.1 mi · ▲ 207 ft · 1 hr 8 min
Calcite Trail–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 3 sights is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Cattese, IA. It is mostly level, with 207 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 35/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Calcite Trail–Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, 3 sights
3.1 mi · ▲ 207 ft · 1 hr 8 min
Elevation 602–783 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: Prairie Ridge Trail · 42.45389, -90.63114
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Sauk and Fox Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Wetland Trail, heading N.
- 250 ftSharp right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miReach Sauk and Fox Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Wetland Trail, heading E.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Sauk and Fox Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miArrive 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:45 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:05 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:33 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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