Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Observation Deck–Catfish Trail, 3 sights
4.3 mi · ▲ 420 ft · 1 hr 39 min
Observation Deck–Catfish Trail, 3 sights is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. The route reaches Observation Deck. It climbs 420 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 27/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Observation Deck–Catfish Trail, 3 sights
4.3 mi · ▲ 420 ft · 1 hr 39 min
Elevation 595–810 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.46783, -90.66084
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Catfish Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Mines of Spain Road, heading E.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading N.
- 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 SE.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Wetland Trail, heading SE.
- 350 ftReach Observation Deck, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading NW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Mines of Spain Road, heading NW.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Catfish Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading W.
- 350 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 1.4 mi in (~42 min). Leave by 6:04 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Calcite Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- Calcite Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 86 ft
- Mesquakie Trail & Pine Chapel Trail via Calcite Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 230 ft
- Ampitheater & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 147 ft
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