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Lewis and Clark Monument Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult
 4.6 (44) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  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

  4.6 from 44 votes

#1

in Council Bluffs

#317

Overall
  4.6 from 44 votes
5 Star
68%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Council Bluffs

#1

in Iowa

#317

Overall
278 Views Last Month
23,108 Since May 1, 2013
Difficult
3%
0%
15%
3%
79%
0%
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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
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
This trail really was a blast! it was kind of confusing where to go at all the intersections but very fun!!
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA

9 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Update Conditions
Minor Issues 22 days ago See History
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Check-Ins

May 6, 2022
Dominic Italia
All jumps/drops currently blocked off due to race. — 4h 00m
Apr 27, 2022
Thom Brittenham
4.3mi
Sep 13, 2020
J Lee
Aug 8, 2020
Josh Harris
So. Tired.
Jun 27, 2020
Teresa Taenzler
With Jenny McIntosh
May 18, 2020
Victor Mendoza
Aug 27, 2019
Matt Ripn
lots of spider webs and some of the jumps come up faster than you may expect. Additionally, I lost my sunglasses. 3.4mi — 0h 40m
Jul 22, 2019
Craig Cotton

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