AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Observation Deck–America's State Tree Woodland Walk, 5 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 612 ft · 2 hr 2 min

Observation Deck–America's State Tree Woodland Walk, 5 sights is a 5.2-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Cattese, IA. The route reaches Observation Deck. It climbs 612 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 21/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi597 – 810 ft · steepest grade: 17%5.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wetland Trail 42.45958, -90.63312
Nearest town Cattese, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Observation Deck–America's State Tree Woodland Walk, 5 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 612 ft · 2 hr 2 min

Elevation 598–810 ft

Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Wetland Trail · 42.45958, -90.63312

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:05 PM

  1. Start on Wetland Trail, heading W.
  2. 50 ftPass Observation Deck.
  3. 350 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  4. 50 ftSharp left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.1 miBear left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.7 miTurn left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading NW.
  8. 0.9 miBear right onto Lead Mine Trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right onto 2, heading SW.
  10. 200 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  11. 250 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading W.
  12. 250 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftBear right onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading NW.
  14. 200 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  16. 100 ftBear left onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
  17. 0.2 miReach Observation Deck, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 0.2 miBear right onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading S.
  19. 100 ftContinue straight onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  21. 250 ftBear left onto John & Alice Butler Trail, heading N.
  22. 50 ftContinue straight onto America's State Tree Woodland Walk, heading N.
  23. 450 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  24. 150 ftContinue straight onto 2, heading SW.
  25. 100 ftTurn left onto Lead Mine Trail, heading SW.
  26. 0.2 miBear left onto Mesquakie Trail, heading S.
  27. 0.9 miTurn right onto Calcite Trail, heading E.
  28. 0.7 miSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading S.
  29. 0.3 miBear right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NE.
  30. 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
  31. 50 ftSharp left onto Wetland Trail, heading S.
  32. 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/observation-deck-americas-state-tree-woodland-walk-out-back-5-sights

Trail surface

69% dirt8% paved3% grass20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:48 AMSunset 7:05 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

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