Top Shelf
7.8 mi · ▲ 276 ft · 2 hr 44 min
Top Shelf is a 7.8-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Herrold, IA. It climbs 276 ft and is mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi801 – 948 ft8.3 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Unnamed 41.68712, -93.74462
Nearest town Herrold, IA
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Top Shelf
7.8 mi · ▲ 276 ft · 2 hr 44 min
Elevation 802–947 ft
Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project
Trailhead: 41.68712, -93.74462
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:18 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 2.4 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Top Shelf, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Low Line, heading SE.
- 100 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 150 ftBear left onto Top Shelf, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 2.4 miTurn left, heading W.
- 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 surface
92% paved4% dirt4% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 7:01 AMSunset 7:18 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.6 mi in (~67 min). Leave by 5:50 PM for the 7:18 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
Get outside more
A wild hike near Herrold, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Herrold, Iowa