Wickiup Canyon is part of the Mesa Verde National Park backcountry in southwest Colorado. It sits between Navajo Canyon on the east and Long Canyon on the west, and normally can’t be seen from any of the normal trails or viewpoints. During the 2010 summer season, Wickiup Canyon is the middle segment of the 8 mile round trip ranger guided hike to the Spring House ruins site.
Near the junction of Spruce Canyon and Navajo Canyon, the trail veers up the west side of hidden Wickiup Canyon and climbs several hundred feet to the neck of Long Mesa before continuing on to the ruins site..
Though the trail through Wickiup Canyon has been lightly used in recent decades, it has history dating back to the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The stone work of that era was built to last, still holding up well over the years.
Wickiup Canyon doesn’t have any of the very large ruins sites for which Mesa Verde is most famous, but has several of the 600 Mesa Verde smaller alcove sites that are scattered in these deeply cut canyons. Near the mesa top is a well preserved appearing circular structure that is usually described as a storage granary.
The largest and most visible site is Buzzard House across the canyon. This site appeared to have easy access from the canyon floor and difficult access to the mesa top. The canyon floor in this area doesn’t look very wide or particularly suitable for farming, so one might wonder if this was a residence site or for some other purpose. The wooden supports for the upper floors stand out well in the afternoon sun.
Lower in the canyon, there are several small wall sections visible with binoculars. One of these sites is perched on the edge below a triangle face of desert varnish painted sandstone. The small sites in this area all look very difficult for the residents to access. In a couple of places high near the canyon rim, there are unexpected trees visible. You don’t expect to see an aspen or a cottonwood clinging to the cliff walls in this area, but there are some.
On our mid September hike it took 3:10 hours to arrive at the trailhead to the short descent below the rim down to Spring House. About half of the outward leg is spent on the climb up Wickiup Canyon and viewing the several points of interest on the way. About 2:00 hours were spent visiting Spring House and enjoying the provided lunch of a ham and turkey sandwich with chips, a piece of fruit, and a small bottle of juice. I carried 4 liters of water and needed most of it. The return hike took 2:00 hours for a total backcountry experience of 7:00 hours on a blue sky 80 F degree perfect day.
The Spring House hike, along with Mug House and Wetherill Experience, was one of three special backcountry hikes offered on the trial basis in 2010.
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