Willow Creek Trail
7.2 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 2 hr 31 min
Willow Creek Trail is a 7.2-mile out-and-back near University Heights, IA. It is mostly level, with 249 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Willow Creek Trail
7.2 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 2 hr 31 min
Elevation 651–760 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Highway 1 Trail · 41.64256, -91.55925
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:53 AM · sunset 7:07 PM
Transit-accessible: Sunset St @ Willow Creek Ct. stop 7 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Highway 1 Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Willow Creek Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.4 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.8 miBear left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Highway 1 Trail, heading E.
- 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 0.6 mi in (~17 min). Leave by 6:30 PM for the 7:07 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Sunset St @ Willow Creek Ct. stop 7 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Highway 1 Trail Trailhead
- Sycamore Greenway Trail 8.1 mi · ▲ 221 ft
- Sycamore Greenway Trail 7.5 mi · ▲ 194 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 6.5 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 6.9 mi · ▲ 250 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 6.1 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 138 ft
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