Horseshoe Hackberry Trail,
Hovenweep National Monument
The Horseshoe Hackberry Trail is located in the Hackberry Canyon where the structures of the two groups of ruins are located. There are brochures at the trailhead, available for a small fee. Although this is a short trail, it is classified as moderate due to the several areas where the trail drops slightly when approaching the ruins. The Horseshoe Tower and the Horseshoe House are the first dwellings you will see on this section of trail. Hovenweep is a desert and extremely high temperatures are common during the summer months. Flash flooding may occur during the monsoon. Before visiting Hovenweep National Monument it is advisable to visit the Hovenweep Visitor Center or the Anasazi Heritage Center for further in-depth information relating to the area.
Elevation
The Horseshoe Hackberry Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,498 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,445 ft. and an elevation range of 53 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.7 mi | 5,445 ft | 5,498 ft | 53 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 18 min | 3.8 | 45 ft | 28 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 18 min | 2.3 | 28 ft | 45 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 Horseshoe Hackberry 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: Bug Canyon, UT
- North Topo Map: Papoose Canyon, UT
- Northeast Topo Map: Ruin Canyon, CO
- West Topo Map: Hatch Trading Post, UT
- Topo Map: Ruin Point, UT
- East Topo Map: Negro Canyon, CO
- Southwest Topo Map: Navajo Canyon, UT
- South Topo Map: Wickiup Canyon, UT
- Southeast Topo Map: Bowdish Canyon, CO
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Horseshoe Hackberry 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 Horseshoe Hackberry Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) or 1,456 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Horseshoe Hackberry Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 18 minutes in one direction and in 18 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.