Spruce Tree Trail,
Mesa Verde National Park
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.
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 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.4 mi | 6,811 ft | 6,933 ft | 122 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 11 min | 6.6 | 79 ft | 163 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 12 min | 13.6 | 163 ft | 79 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 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
- 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
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Spruce Tree 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 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)
- 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.