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Spruce Tree House - 8 members in 16 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
16 triplogs
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May 24 2015
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar May 24 2015
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This was my third National Park in three days, and one I have wanted to visit for a very long time. The persistent rain kept the hiking to a minimum, but I was able to see a number of ruins. This park is fascinating, and the NPS is making a great effort to preserve the structures. Spruce is self-guided, though it's not open until 8:30am when a ranger goes on duty.
_____________________
 
Sep 28 2014
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 28 2014
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had to see one of the dwellings while I was there. How could you not smile while climbing out of the kiva?
_____________________
  1 archive
Sep 22 2014
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 61
 Photos 2,620
 Triplogs 700

69 male
 Joined Jan 23 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 22 2014
AZWanderingBear • Triplogs 700
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Crowded trail but getting to climb down in a Kiva was worth braving the tourists.
_____________________
All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach
 
Jul 14 2014
avatar

 Guides 16
 Routes 81
 Photos 1,269
 Triplogs 1,145

51 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Jul 14 2014
azdesertfather • Triplogs 1,145
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice, this one is self guided and doesn't require a tour ticket. There underground kiva here is still fully intact (not just a big open hole, it has it's roof), and you are able to climb down a ladder into it (though expect to wait in line to do so!).
_____________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
 
Jul 06 2014
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Jul 06 2014
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After the Balcony House, we did the Cliff Palace. but since my camera was still incapacitated, I don't have any pictures from that. After lunch, we hit the Spruce Tree House, one of the bigger ruins that doesn't require a ticket and a guided tour from a ranger. This hike and the Step House are two of the better actual hikes, so naturally I didn't remember to grab my GPS for those. For Spruce Tree House, you can hit the Petroglyph Trail that goes down the canyon further and then up on the cliff behind the ruin, before it takes you back to the TH/museum.

We got down to the ruin and hung out for a bit. There was a line to get into the recontructed kiva, which had a roof and ladder on it. We did that and were ready to leave when a monsoon storm hit, complete with very nearby lightning strikes. We waited out the rain under the overhang, checking out how the water runs into the ruin from above, giving an idea of how the erosion works on the ruin. We also went into the kiva again to kill some time.

On our way out, we hit the other end of the trail and got above the Step House with an overlook view into the ruin. We also got some better views of the various granaries built above throughout that canyon where food was stored.
_____________________
 
Jul 25 2013
avatar

 Routes 1
 Triplogs 172

55 male
 Joined Apr 25 2008
 Peoria, AZ.
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Walk / Tour avatar Jul 25 2013
RangerTRX • Triplogs 172
Walk / Tour0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Walk / Tour0.50 Miles      30 Mns   1.00 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jul 23 2013
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Spruce Canyon/Petroglyph Point Loop, CO 
Spruce Canyon/Petroglyph Point Loop, CO
 
Hiking avatar Jul 23 2013
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Hiking5.00 Miles 650 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
650 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Spruce Canyon Trail
Spruce Tree House
Petroglyph Point Trail - MVNP
Partners none no partners
Went counterclockwise again. The weather was great albeit warm during the uphill sections. Actually saw a couple other parties along Spruce Canyon Trail this time, all of which had questions about which end of the trail we started on and how much worse it was ahead. We came to the conclusion that the majority of Mesa Verde's visitors don't typically hike.

Oh, and we got to watch some kid try to climb down into a kiva before being hollered at by a park ranger. Good stuff.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Broad-tailed Hummingbird  Eastern Collared Lizard
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benchmark
_____________________
 
Oct 01 2012
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 6
 Photos 1,634
 Triplogs 186

58 male
 Joined Apr 04 2002
 Flagstaff, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Oct 01 2012
squatpuke • Triplogs 186
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles      20 Mns   1.50 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We arrived to Mesa Verde later than planned...in fact, it was basically closed (5pm for Visitor Center). The ranger told us that we would be "chased out" at sundown...but gave us some ideas on how to best utilize our 2 or so hours.

We started at Spruce Tree and quickly went down the ruins, decended the Kiva, and came back up. There are many informative signs about the flora/fauna...I tempted fate and touched the "Poison Ivy" (hey! it was a controlled experiment right?) with NO ILL EFFECTS. :)

The ruins are very nice. Rangers patrol the base, ensuring no one goes beyond the roped areas, but they were nice and very informative.

I hope to return to Mesa Verde and spend some quality time; in fact, its on my "short list".
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Turkey Vulture
_____________________
squatpuke@gmail.com
 
May 29 2012
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Spruce Canyon/Petroglyph Point Loop, CO 
Spruce Canyon/Petroglyph Point Loop, CO
 
Hiking avatar May 29 2012
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Hiking5.00 Miles 650 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
650 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Spruce Canyon Trail
Spruce Tree House
Petroglyph Point Trail - MVNP
Partners none no partners
Counter-clockwise starting on Spruce Canyon, then up to Spruce Tree House, and back up and around on Petroglyph Point.

The lizards were out in full force, along with the butterflies and birds. The forest was alive and green. You'd think there would be more people, but I didn't see a soul. That all changed once I closed in on Spruce Tree House - no surprise there. Spent a few minutes looking around, climbed in and out of the kiva, and then took off onto Petroglyph Point. Wasn't alone anymore, but there were only a handful of folks and they were spread out. Came across a very colorful collared lizard and a benchmark on the mesa top.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Eastern Collared Lizard
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benchmark
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Spruce Tree Canyon
_____________________
 
Sep 04 2010
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 4
 Photos 8,687
 Triplogs 931

46 male
 Joined Mar 28 2005
 Gilbert, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 04 2010
Vaporman • Triplogs 931
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
oceanwithin
After the late drive from PHX, we stayed the night at the Mesa Verde CG and had a few hours the next morning to drive to a handful of the overlooks and drop down this self-guided trail to check out these sweet Anasazi ruins down in this canyon. :D
_____________________
Yea, canyoneering is an extreme sport... EXTREMELY dramatic!!! =p
  1 archive
Jun 11 2010
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Jun 11 2010
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
According to one of the rangers at the site, the stupidest question they've been asked is "How many sites haven't been found yet?"
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Banana Yucca
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Inscriptions  Mesa Verde Anasazi Building - Unknown Function  Mesa Verde Anasazi Dwelling  Mesa Verde Anasazi Kiva
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Extreme
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
Aug 20 2009
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Aug 20 2009
hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short trip down for a glimpse at the Anasazi civilization.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mesa Verde Anasazi Building - Unknown Function  Mesa Verde Anasazi Dwelling  Mesa Verde Anasazi Kiva
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hesperus Mountain
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
Jul 30 2009
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Jul 30 2009
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mesa Verde Anasazi Dwelling  Mesa Verde Anasazi Kiva
_____________________
 
Apr 11 2009
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Apr 11 2009
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I awoke to snow in Cortez, and feared I would not be able to go to Mesa Verde. Figured I'd try anyway. I arrived at the Park's entrance during a break in the storm, just in time for the snow plow to reopen the road. :) I drove across the freshly frosted Mesa, arriving at the Chapin Mesa Museum during round two of the snowstorm. At this point, though, it had warmed up a bit, and the snow wasn't sticking. I walked down to discover the ruin was deserted except for me and two rangers. Talked with them for a bit, descended into the kiva 8) , then headed out when another determined group arrived. A memorable trip!
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mesa Verde Anasazi Dwelling  Mesa Verde Anasazi Kiva  Mesa Verde Anasazi Storage Building
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mesa Verde National Park
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Snow
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Oct 24 2004
avatar

 Guides 31
 Routes 135
 Photos 2,699
 Triplogs 615

52 female
 Joined Apr 02 2007
 Scottsdale, AZ
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2004
Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Nov 12 2001
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Spruce Tree HouseSouthwest, CO
Spruce Tree House
Southwest, CO
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2001
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking0.50 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles      50 Mns   0.60 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Part of the 3-day whirlwind trip v2.0
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
average hiking speed 1.03 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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