AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Snyder Pond via Orlabor Gateway Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 39 min

Snyder Pond via Orlabor Gateway Trail is a 4.9-mile out-and-back near Ankeny, IA. The route reaches Snyder Pond at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi912 – 968 ft6.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.72720, -93.58063
Nearest town Ankeny, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Snyder Pond via Orlabor Gateway Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 39 min

Elevation 912–969 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.72720, -93.58063

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:15 PM

Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 773 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 500 ftSharp left, heading S.
  3. 1.4 miSharp right, heading S.
  4. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  5. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  7. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  9. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  10. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  11. 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  13. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  14. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  15. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  17. 100 ftTurn right onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading W.
  18. 50 ftTurn left onto Orlabor Gateway Trail, heading W.
  19. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  21. 200 ftBear right, heading NW.
  22. 250 ftReach Snyder Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  23. 250 ftBear left, heading W.
  24. 200 ftTurn left, heading W.
  25. 0.3 miTurn right onto Gay Lea Wilson Trail, heading W.
  26. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  27. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  29. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  30. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  31. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  32. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  33. 150 ftBear left, heading NE.
  34. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  35. 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
  36. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  37. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  38. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  39. 300 ftSharp right, heading E.
  40. 50 ftSharp left, heading E.
  41. 1.4 miSharp right, heading N.
  42. 150 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/snyder-pond-out-back-7122

Trail surface

29% paved71% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:01 AMSunset 7:15 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.3 mi in (~57 min). Leave by 5:58 PM for the 7:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Mercy North Park & Ride stop 773 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Ankeny, Iowa