Top Shelf
4.9 mi · ▲ 246 ft · 1 hr 45 min
Top Shelf is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Johnston, IA. It is mostly level, with 246 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Top Shelf
4.9 mi · ▲ 246 ft · 1 hr 45 min
Elevation 802–947 ft
Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project
Trailhead: 41.67389, -93.69508
Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:14 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 243 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.8 miTurn 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 E.
- 100 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 100 ftBear left onto Top Shelf, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
- 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 NW.
- 0.8 miBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 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 1.2 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:23 PM for the 7:14 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 243 m from the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 7 sights 14.8 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Riverview Lake–Johnston Interurban Trail, 6 sights 11.8 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Johnston Interurban Trail & Top Shelf 5.5 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Top Shelf 4.4 mi · ▲ 243 ft
- Top Shelf 4.9 mi · ▲ 243 ft
- Top Shelf 4.5 mi · ▲ 243 ft
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Hikes near Johnston, Iowa