Spruce Tree Trail,
Mesa Verde National Park

Located 12.5 miles from Cortez, Colorado (CO)
4 Stars
867 Steps 1  (0.4 mi)
Trails National Parks Mesa Verde Spruce Tree Trail

The Spruce Tree Trail is a steep trail that is also wheelchair friendly to Spruce Tree House. The Spruce Tree House dwelling is a self guided tour, so a fee is not necessary. At the time of this review the dwelling was closed and will remain so for the foreseeable future due to a rock fall. However, you can still view the Spruce Tree House from a distance.

Spruce Tree TrailSpruce Tree KivaSpruce Tree House

Elevation

The Spruce Tree Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,933 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,811 ft. and an elevation range of 122 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.4 mi6,811 ft6,933 ft122 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
11 min6.679 ft163 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
12 min13.6163 ft79 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 Spruce Tree 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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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Cortez, CO
  2. North Topo Map: Point Lookout, CO
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Mancos, CO
  4. West Topo Map: Wetherill Mesa, CO
  5. Topo Map: Moccasin Mesa, CO
  6. East Topo Map: Trail Canyon, CO
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Moqui Canyon, CO
  8. South Topo Map: Greasewood Canyon, CO
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Red Horse Gulch, CO

FAQ

What is the length of the Spruce Tree Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) or 867 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Spruce Tree Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 11 minutes in one direction and in 12 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)

Knife Edge TrailPetroglyph Point TrailSpruce Tree Trail

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.