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Quiet and shaded, this trail is great after the crowds and heat on Petroglyph Point Trail


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Map Key

2.3

Miles

3.7

KM

Point to Point

7,015' 2,138 m

High

6,476' 1,974 m

Low

540' 164 m

Up

371' 113 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding

Family Friendly Easy and short, not too much climbing.

Description

This trail is accessed via the paved path that leads to the cliff dwellings. You'll see a sign pointing left for Petroglyph Point Trail or forward for Spruce Canyon Trail. The first 1.5 miles or so is under the shade of pine trees and very low grades. For the first half mile, you'll be descending gently to a creek bed. The path is very quiet and pleasant, which makes this a good birdwatching area.

After a while, you start a mellow to moderate climb out of the creek bed and up to the Mesa top. You'll loop back around and then end up on the road which takes you back to the museum and gift shop.

For a 5 mile tour, do the Petroglyph Point Trail in reverse (around the top of the ridge, then down to the Petroglyph and follow the canyon back north to Spruce Canyon Trailhead), then take Spruce around and back to the parking lot.

Pets are only allowed on paved paths and parking lots (on leash), and are not allowed on trails.

Contacts

Shared By:

Micah Bontrager

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 7 votes

#27577

Overall
  3.0 from 7 votes
5 Star
14%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
71%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
14%
Trail Rankings

#2,264

in Colorado

#27,577

Overall
4 Views Last Month
458 Since Feb 23, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Ancient ruins.
Mar 31, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
The path winds between and under boulders (Petroglyph Point Trail).
Dec 8, 2016 near Towaoc, CO
Cliff dwellings.
Dec 31, 2015 near Towaoc, CO
View of the entire site from the far end of the dwellings near the exit.
Dec 30, 2015 near Towaoc, CO
View of the dwellings from the paved path.
Dec 30, 2015 near Towaoc, CO
After cruising along the green shady creekbed, you take this mellow climb back up the the dry Mesa top.
Mar 29, 2016 near Towaoc, CO

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Check-Ins

May 2, 2022
Matt Culpepper
Pretty canyon hike with a locked gate at the end! (2.5/300) 2.5mi — 2h 00m
Aug 16, 2019
Scott Meier
Jun 12, 2019
Brittany Webb
Bring water.
May 25, 2019
Jake Westover
2.3mi
Apr 27, 2018
Hailey Davis
A nice, quiet hike through the bottom of a canyon. It starts with several relatively steep switchbacks and ends in a steep incline at a picnic area
Jun 23, 2017
Blake Behrens
Mar 28, 2016
Micah Bontrager
Starts in nice shady green landscape along creek bed. Then you climb back up to dry Mesa top. Didn't see any other hikers, very quiet and pleasant. 2.4mi — 0h 40m
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