AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor

Walnut Grove–Lake Helen, 3 groves

3.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 5 min

Walnut Grove–Lake Helen, 3 groves is a 3.2-mile out-and-back in Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor near Ames, IA. The route passes Lake Helen before reaching Walnut Grove at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi896 – 942 ft4.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Bald Cypress Allée 42.01104, -93.63785
Nearest town Ames, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Walnut Grove–Lake Helen, 3 groves

3.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 5 min

Elevation 894–942 ft

Out & Back · Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor

Trailhead: Bald Cypress Allée · 42.01104, -93.63785

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:15 PM

Transit-accessible: Christensen at Day Care Center Westbound stop 365 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Bald Cypress Allée, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Lake Helen.
  3. 350 ftTurn left onto University Boulevard Trail, heading NE.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  5. 300 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right onto Vet Med Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
  9. 450 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  10. 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  11. 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  13. 100 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  14. 0.2 miTurn right onto Wetland Boardwalk, heading SE.
  15. 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  16. 350 ftReach Walnut Grove, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  17. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  18. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  19. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  22. 400 ftSharp right, heading E.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  24. 450 ftTurn right onto Vet Med Trail, heading N.
  25. 0.6 miTurn left, heading NE.
  26. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  28. 300 ftTurn left onto University Boulevard Trail, heading NE.
  29. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  30. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/walnut-grove-lake-helen-out-back-5-sights-7-km

Trail surface

88% paved1% gravel11% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:15 PM

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Christensen at Day Care Center Westbound stop 365 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Bald Cypress Allée Trailhead

Hikes near Ames, Iowa