Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member 94RedRover
N 37° 11.066 W 108° 29.238
12S E 723048 N 4118289
Mesa Verde National Park provides visitors with a look at ancestral Puebloan life and architecture. The Spruce Tree House is a self-guided cliff dwelling tour.
Waymark Code: WM6AA8
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 05/01/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member GEO*Trailblazer 1
Views: 19
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Discovered in 1888 by two ranchers searching for stray cattle, Spruce Tree House was found tucked into a 216 ft long, 89 ft deep natural cove in the cliff side. There was a large spruce tree that had grown from the floor of the house up to the top of the mesa, where they were able to climb down into the cliff dwelling.

With about 114 rooms and 8 kivas, Spruce Tree House is the 3rd largest of the discovered dwellings in Mesa Verde. It is believed that about 100 people lived here.

Estimated construction between AD 1200 and 1276 Because of the deep, protective cove, Spruce Tree deteriorated only a little over the centuries. So, less "maintanence" was needed to support the structures. (The park system strives to keep as much of the dwellings original, with exceptions for safety of visitors and workers.) Due to the fact that this dwelling is in such "good" condition, Spruce Tree House is accessible without purchasing a tour ticket.

As you step into the dwelling, you can notice different architectural styles, with some round towers, and square rooms. Some have rectangular doorways, some have a T-shape doorway, and keep your eyes open...artistically "painted" designs are still visible on some walls. There is also a kiva here on display that is reconstructed as it would have appeared while occupied. The park system has reconstructed the roof of the kiva as it would have been, and is accessed by a 6 foot ladder. Visitors are allowed to descend into the kiva, to see how they were built. (See my local customs tips for more on kivas) There are rangers on hand here to answer questions.

The trail down and back up to Spruce Tree is very steep and about 1/2 mile round trip...hope you've been doing your aerobic exercises...also, poison ivy is rampant just off the trails...stay on the path.

Spruce Tree House is self-guided March through November. During the winter you must purchase a guided tour to gain access.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Sneakin Deacon visited Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 07/09/2023 Sneakin Deacon visited it
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