Saylorville Lake Project

Top Shelf

5.1 mi · ▲ 244 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Top Shelf is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Johnston, IA. It is mostly level, with 244 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi801 – 948 ft6.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.67292, -93.69315
Nearest town Johnston, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Top Shelf

5.1 mi · ▲ 244 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Elevation 802–947 ft

Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project

Trailhead: 41.67292, -93.69315

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:14 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 395 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  5. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  6. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  7. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  9. 0.8 miTurn right, heading N.
  10. 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
  11. 0.3 miBear right, heading SE.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  13. 0.5 miBear left, heading SE.
  14. 0.3 miBear left onto Top Shelf, heading SW.
  15. 0.1 miBear right onto Low Line, heading E.
  16. 100 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  17. 100 ftBear left onto Top Shelf, heading E.
  18. 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
  19. 0.3 miBear right, heading SW.
  20. 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
  21. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  22. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
  23. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
  24. 0.8 miBear right, heading S.
  25. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  26. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  27. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  28. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  29. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  30. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  31. 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

77% paved5% dirt18% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:03 AMSunset 7:14 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~34 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 7:14 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 395 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead