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Lewis and Clark Monument Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (51)
  1. Areas
  2. IA
  3. …Southwestern Iowa
  4. Council Bluffs
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“A challenging trail with fast flow, quick drops, and leg burning climbs. ”

Phil Niles
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Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

100%

Singletrack

1,260' 384 m

High

1,018' 310 m

Low

566' 173 m

Up

568' 173 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Drops/Jumps

Stay on the trail. Do not take blocked off side trails as some lead to private property.

Overview

Lewis and Clark is one of the first trails in the Omaha area and remains one of the favorites of local riders/hikers/runners alike.

Need to Know

Be prepared for lots of Orb-weaver spider webs crossing the trail in the summer/fall (depending on the year) if you are the first one to ride it that day. They are harmless, but you'll be covered in webs and spiders.

Description

Ride: From the parking lot, head back to the park entrance and take the second trail on the right almost next to the gate to the park. This is the trailhead. The first trail to the right is the trail exit.

Head down the trail and enjoy the trip to the bluff bottom. From here, follow the trail along the tracks to a section of short steep climbs and narrow quick drops.

The trail then climbs up and flies down in loops along the bluff face. At one point you come to a bench placed in memoriam for Tony Naikelis - a trail building pioneer in the area. The bench overlooks Council Bluffs and downtown Omaha in the distance. Take a minute to catch your breath and take in the view.

The last climb will take you out to the trail exit through a long series of tight steep switchbacks. If you have extra energy at the top, hang a hard right back down to the trailhead!

Contacts

Local Club: Trails Have Our Respect

Land Manager: City of Council Bluffs, IA - Parks and Recreation

Shared By:

Phil Niles
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 51 votes

#1

in Council Bluffs

#323

Overall
  4.5 from 51 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Council Bluffs

#1

in Iowa

#323

Overall
59 Views Last Month
24,136 Since May 1, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
5%
0%
15%
8%
72%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Finding a gem of a trail in Iowa.
May 29, 2021 near Council…, IA
Double black diamond bridge.
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA
Entrance to Faucenette's difficult and medium drops.
Oct 25, 2022 near Council…, IA
View from Tony's Bench
May 1, 2013 near Council…, IA
Black diamond area; stay to the left and jump off the rock on your way down! Fun!!
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA
Banked turns.
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA

12 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Aug 31, 2024
Logan Taylor
Aug 3, 2024
Twindaddy Stu
Trail crews have done an excellent job. 95% clear today. Crossed paths with a guy and his daughter raking trails. Motivated me to donate to THOR. 7mi — 1h 30m
Aug 1, 2024
Twindaddy Stu
Had to clear some trails after last nights storm. Lotta trees down, but I cleared most of the trails by hand. No tools as I'm not a local. 5mi — 1h 00m
Jun 14, 2024
Cheyenne wolfe
so smooth! 4.3mi — 7h 00m
Jun 13, 2024
Cheyenne wolfe
4.3mi — 7h 00m
Mar 10, 2024
Brooklynn Erdmann
Great trail, will come back when we come through town again! 5.9mi — 1h 40m
Jun 25, 2023
Quinn Navarro
4.2mi — 1h 12m
Oct 22, 2022
Caleb Thomas
Great trail. Leaves did make it slick. 5mi — 10h 00m

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