Iowa · Hiking

Wilderness Loop

Wilderness LoopPhoto: Kimaz2412, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.8 mi
one way
91 ft
climb
935 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun
best months

Wilderness Loop is a short, easy hike in Brown's Woods, a county-managed parcel in Iowa. The route is 0.8 miles long and rises about 90 feet, making it a low-effort outing that fits easily into a longer day on the trails around here. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.6 miles in, and the trail reaches a high point of 935 feet before it descends slightly. Bikes and horses are not allowed, so plan on walking. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Des Moines show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 77°F, with July peaking near 86°F. North Loop and Preparation Loop both start about 0.1 mile away, and Raccoon River Park Trail is about a mile off. Purgatory Trail is roughly 2 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun

    Best time to visit Wilderness Loop

    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

      31° / 14°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 18°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 30°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      72° / 52°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 62°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 64°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 55°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 43°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 30°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 19°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Des Moines Intl Ap, IA, 3.1 mi away at 957 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors