Top Shelf
4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min
Top Shelf is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Lovington, IA. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Top Shelf
4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min
Elevation 801–836 ft
Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project
Trailhead: 41.65707, -93.69749
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:17 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 82 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Johnston Interurban Trail, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading S.
- 200 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Trestle to Trestle Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Sycamore Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Top Shelf, heading SE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Sycamore Trail, heading E.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Low Line, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Top Shelf, heading E.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Lake Loop, heading N.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Top Shelf, heading N.
- 0.2 miReach Top Shelf, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lake Loop, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Top Shelf, heading S.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Low Line, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sycamore Trail, heading W.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Top Shelf, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Sycamore Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Trestle to Trestle Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Johnston Interurban Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.3 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 82 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Top Shelf 3 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Top Shelf 2.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Lake Loop & Low Line 3.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Johnston Interurban Trail 2 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Johnston Interurban Trail 2 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area Beach 2.3 mi · ▲ 26 ft
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Hikes near Lovington, Iowa