Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.1 mi · ▲ 342 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near South Switch Junction, IA. The route reaches Observation Deck at the turnaround, 1.3 miles in. It climbs 342 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Observation Deck & Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail via Calcite Trail
3.1 mi · ▲ 342 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 595–810 ft
Out & Back · Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Trailhead: Julien Dubuque Trail · 42.46845, -90.64864
Weather Sep 20: Heavy drizzle, high 67°F / low 59° · precip 73% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:05 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Julien Dubuque Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Mines of Spain Road, heading E.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Calcite Trail, heading NE.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, heading NE.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Wetland Trail, heading E.
- 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 NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 100 ftSharp right onto Horseshoe Bluff Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Calcite Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Mines of Spain Road, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear left onto Julien Dubuque Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 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 0.7 mi in (~25 min). Leave by 6:21 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Julien Dubuque Trail Trailhead
- John & Alice Butler Trail & Mesquakie Trail via Calcite Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 262 ft
- Mesquakie Trail & Pine Chapel Trail via Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 243 ft
- America's State Tree Woodland Walk–John & Alice Butler Trail, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 328 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 154 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 312 ft
- Calcite Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 308 ft
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