Visit Hackberry and Horseshoe Group, Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado

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Horseshoe and Hackberry are conveniently on the same trail. The trailhead is down an unimproved dirt road that is 4 miles from the park visitor center. High clearance and 4-wheel drive are strongly recommended. Stop by the visitor center for directions and road conditions. This trail is primitive and crosses packed dirt, sandy wash, and slickrock. Past the trail register, the trail climbs up a few steep steps to reach the mesa top. From there, the trail is relatively level and follows the rim of the canyon to the couple of structures at Horseshoe. The trail provides ample opportunity for photographs of structures with sweeping views of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in the background. Past Horseshoe House, the trail continues further to Hackberry, which is now mostly rubble. In its prime, Hackberry was the largest complex at Hovenweep National Monument. The trail dead-ends at Hackberry – retrace your steps to return to your vehicle. Looking for a shorter hike? The trail just to Horseshoe and back is 0.64 miles (1 kilometer) round-trip. Hackberry was a medium sized Pueblo III village in the east fork of Bridge Canyon. About 250 to 350 inhabitants are thought to have resided in the Hackberry Group. Located about 500 yards away, the Horseshoe group consists of four pueblo buildings that for a U-shape. Horseshoe Ruin had a dam at the rim to create a reservoir. Horseshoe House is a D-shaped structure containing three rooms surrounding a possible central kiva. Horseshoe Tower is built on a point that marks the start of the Horseshoe Site. From this tower, inhabitants could see clearly into Horseshoe Canyon. At one time, the tower was walled off from the mesa top, raising questions about the use of such structures for defense. The architectural style suggests ceremonial or public use. About 800 years ago the buildings were constructed with "precisely fit" stones and set with mortar of sand, ash, clay and water.

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