Wupatki Trail,
Wupatki National Monument
The Wupatki Pueblo is the most majestic of the five dwellings which are open to the public within the Wupatki National Monument. There are over 100 rooms, a community room, ball park and Kiva. Also of interest at this ruin is a rare geological blowhole, this happens when air is blown through a small hole at the surface due to pressure differences between a closed underground system and the surface. To access this dwelling which is located behind the visitor center — follow the self guided Wupatki Trail, a short, paved, moderate loop trail that leads to the dwelling of the Ancient Sinagua Indians who lived and farmed this land from 1100AD to 1225AD.
Elevation
The Wupatki Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,905 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,810 ft. and an elevation range of 95 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.3 mi | 4,810 ft | 4,905 ft | 95 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 6 min | 0.9 | 11 ft | 94 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 8 min | 7.8 | 94 ft | 11 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 Wupatki 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: Gray Mountain, AZ
- North Topo Map: Wupatki NE, AZ
- Northeast Topo Map: Badger Spring, AZ
- West Topo Map: Wupatki SW, AZ
- Topo Map: Wupatki SE, AZ
- East Topo Map: Standing Rocks, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Strawberry Crater, AZ
- South Topo Map: Roden Crater, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: Grand Falls, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Wupatki Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Wupatki Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.3 miles (0.4 km) or 572 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Wupatki Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 6 minutes in one direction and in 8 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 Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
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.