Purple Trail
4 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Purple Trail is a 4-mile out-and-back in Matsell Bridge Natural Area near Jackson, IA. It is mostly level, with 53 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Purple Trail
4 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Elevation 791–867 ft
Out & Back · Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Trailhead: Green Trail · 42.14342, -91.39235
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:08 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Green Trail, heading E.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Purple Trail, heading S.
- 1.8 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 1.8 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Green Trail, heading NW.
- 100 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 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 6:46 PM for the 7:08 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 11 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Green Trail Trailhead
- B Trail & Purple Trail 4.4 mi · ▲ 57 ft
- B Trail & Black Trail via Purple Trail 5.1 mi · ▲ 110 ft
- Blue Trail & Yellow Trail 3.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft
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Hikes near Jackson, Iowa