Iowa · Hiking

Fresh Cut

Fresh CutPhoto: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.4 mi
loop
805 ft
high point
Loop
route
Easy
difficulty
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Fresh Cut is a short, easy loop in Saylorville Recreation Area in Iowa, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The route is 0.36 miles long and sits at about 800 feet, with a high point of 805 feet and a low of 802 feet. The climb is flat, with no elevation gain, and the steepest stretch is a 4% grade at about 0.09 miles in. The loop is a quick outing, and the trip is estimated to take about half an hour. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ankeny show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 77°F, with July peaking near 86°F. Low Life Loop is 0.7 miles away, and Cottonwood Recreation Area offers lake fishing about 0.8 miles off. The Des Moines River, a canoeing route, is about 1.3 miles away, and Pump Track Loop is about 1.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Fresh Cut

    Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 12°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 16°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 27°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 38°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 61°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 62°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 53°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 40°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 29°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      35° / 18°

      7 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ankeny, IA, 3.8 mi away at 975 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors