Painted Hand Pueblo Trail,
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Located 21.8 miles from Dove Creek, Colorado (CO)
4 Stars
958 Steps 1  (0.4 mi)
Trails National Monuments Canyons of the Ancients Painted Hand Pueblo Trail

The Painted Hand Pueblo Trail is a short, primitive and rocky trail with several ruins to explore. The area is very hot during the summer months and offers little shade. The main ruin in the area is known as the "Painted Hand Pueblo", a large sandstone tower perched on a large boulder surrounded by rocks and boulders. Please respect the ruins and do not remove or damage any of the artifacts, the area is strewn with broken pottery shards that have been lying on the ground for several hundred years.

Painted Hand TrailPainted Hand PetroglyphPainted Hand Trail, Canyon of the Ancients

Elevation

The Painted Hand Pueblo Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,079 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,964 ft. and an elevation range of 115 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.4 mi5,964 ft6,079 ft115 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
13 min9.2110 ft105 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
13 min8.8105 ft110 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Painted Hand Pueblo Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: Papoose Canyon, UT
  2. North Topo Map: Ruin Canyon, CO
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Pleasant View, CO
  4. West Topo Map: Ruin Point, UT
  5. Topo Map: Negro Canyon, CO
  6. East Topo Map: Woods Canyon, CO
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Wickiup Canyon, UT
  8. South Topo Map: Bowdish Canyon, CO
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Battle Rock, CO

FAQ

What is the length of the Painted Hand Pueblo Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.4 miles (0.7 km) or 958 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Painted Hand Pueblo Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 13 minutes in one direction and in 13 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.