South Mesa Trail

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

moderate

Length: 2.6 mi

Est. time: 1h 6m

Gain: 563 ft

Loss: 42 ft

Max elev: 6,656 ft

NetworkEarthhike

Elevation profile

+563 ft gain · −42 ft loss — an estimate from a DEM.

Trailhead & logistics

GALLO CAMPGROUND (Campground)

Build a loop

Connects to:

South Mesa to Tsin Kletzin Trail

Connect the dots

Learn:

Middens and Math: “Crashing the Gates” with Florence Hawley Ellis Pottery of the Ancestral Pueblo Scouts and Shovels: “Crashing the Gates” with Bertha Dutton

Journeys:

Earl Morris Sallie Pierce Brewer Van Valkenburg Harris Frank "Boss" Pinkley Bertha Dutton Florence Hawley Ellis

Plan smart, verify on site

Length, elevation, and difficulty are estimates derived from open data (NPS Public Trails GIS, medium confidence) — not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check current closures, weather, and water, and carry the essentials. Always defer to NPS.gov and park rangers.

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