Spruce Canyon Trail,
Mesa Verde National Park
The Spruce Canyon Trail is located near Spruce Tree House, the trailhead is located at the entrance to the Petroglyph Point Trail. The trail itself is wide and well-shaded. You will cross several small bridges that traverse from one side of the canyon to the other. As you get to the end of the trail, you will start to climb several hundred feet to the trailhead near the museum.
Elevation
The Spruce Canyon Trail has a maximum elevation of 7,015 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,471 ft. and an elevation range of 544 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 1.9 mi | 6,471 ft | 7,015 ft | 544 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 51 min | 42.8 | 513 ft | 325 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 46 min | 27.1 | 325 ft | 513 ft |
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 Spruce Canyon 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
- Northwest Topo Map: Cortez, CO
- North Topo Map: Point Lookout, CO
- Northeast Topo Map: Mancos, CO
- West Topo Map: Wetherill Mesa, CO
- Topo Map: Moccasin Mesa, CO
- East Topo Map: Trail Canyon, CO
- Southwest Topo Map: Moqui Canyon, CO
- South Topo Map: Greasewood Canyon, CO
- Southeast Topo Map: Red Horse Gulch, CO
FAQ
What is the length of the Spruce Canyon Trail?
The length of the trail is 1.9 miles (3.0 km) or 4,053 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Spruce Canyon Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 51 minutes in one direction and in 46 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)
- The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may be present in this area. The American dog tick transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.