Prater Ridge Trail,
Mesa Verde National Park
The Prater Ridge Trail is accessible from Morefield Campground. There is a steep climb to the top of the Prater Ridge Trail with views overlooking the campground. As you start your hike you will see a fork in the trail which leads to the Knife Edge Trail.
At Prater Ridge, you can connect to the Prater Ridge Loop Trail. There are no toilets at this trailhead, but flushable toilets and showers are available at the General Store. This is a quiet trail that you can enjoy with little to no other human interaction.
Elevation
The Prater Ridge Trail has a maximum elevation of 8,231 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,718 ft. and an elevation range of 513 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 1.1 mi | 7,718 ft | 8,231 ft | 513 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 28 min | 42.5 | 510 ft | 0 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 22 min | 0.0 | 0 ft | 510 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 Prater Ridge 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: Dolores West, CO
- North Topo Map: Dolores East, CO
- Northeast Topo Map: Millwood, CO
- West Topo Map: Cortez, CO
- Topo Map: Point Lookout, CO
- East Topo Map: Mancos, CO
- Southwest Topo Map: Wetherill Mesa, CO
- South Topo Map: Moccasin Mesa, CO
- Southeast Topo Map: Trail Canyon, CO
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Prater Ridge 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 Prater Ridge Trail?
The length of the trail is 1.1 miles (1.7 km) or 2,305 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Prater Ridge Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 28 minutes in one direction and in 22 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.