Top Shelf
5.7 mi · ▲ 245 ft · 2 hr 1 min
Top Shelf is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Johnston, IA. It is mostly level, with 245 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
5.7 mi · ▲ 245 ft · 2 hr 1 min
Elevation 802–947 ft
Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project
Trailhead: 41.67164, -93.70655
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:16 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 744 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 250 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.7 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 SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Low Line, heading E.
- 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Top Shelf, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn right, 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 1.6 mi in (~43 min). Leave by 6:13 PM for the 7:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 744 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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