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The road less traveled; a short and steep loop with a small backpacking campsite.


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Map Key

1.7

Miles

2.8

KM

84%

Runnable

1,050' 320 m

High

661' 201 m

Low

357' 109 m

Up

397' 121 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

There are two trailheads for this trail, both off of Donahue Road.

From the north end, the trail climbs through a wide-but-overgrown path. The trail has a few rocky spring crossings in the first ~0.5 miles, before climbing very steeply up to the top of Heffern's Hill. After topping out, the trail turns south and descends at a pleasant grade back down to Donahue Road.

The north side, with the rocky crossings and steep climb, is much more narrow to the top of the hill. As the trail descends, it becomes wider. A few seeps muddy up some spots, but they can usually be traversed without getting wet unless you want to.

This trail doesn't offer much in the way of views, but it does afford a nice climb and quite a bit of solitude, so long as there aren't many horse riders in the nearby campground.

Flora & Fauna

Fairly open forest on the north end makes for a preponderance of shrubs, including black raspberry if the timing is right. While the lack of use can make this trail a bit overgrown, it's not typically too bad in terms of stingy/itchy plants.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kenny Slocum

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 3 votes

#26918

Overall
  3.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#97

in Iowa

#26,918

Overall
3 Views Last Month
224 Since Jul 23, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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33%
33%
33%
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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