You are here

Home » Mesa Verde National Park Has Plan To Save Spruce Tree House

Mesa Verde National Park Has Plan To Save Spruce Tree House

Share
By Compiled From N... - March 10th, 2023

The National Park Service has come up with a plan to save Spruce Tree House/Rebecca Latson file

Rock bolts and reinforced concrete supports are among the tools the National Park Service wants to employ to stabilize the alcove in which Spruce Tree House stands in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. The plan, developed over the past year as the agency debated how to keep the sandstone arch from further collapse, could be implemented in September and continue through next winter.

The popular attraction, which houses the third-largest cliff dwelling in the park, with 130 rooms and eight kivas, has been closed to the public since October 2015 because of concerns that layers of sandstone could peel away from the arch at any time and fall on bystanders below. Spruce Tree House may be seen, however, from an overlook near the Chapin Mesa Museum. 

Back in 2016, the Park Service pointed out that "[E]arly stabilization work was performed (on the arch) in the 1940s, with additional stabilization work completed in the 1960s. Natural erosion processes, including the settling of the arch, have been affected by the early stabilization work, so that modern engineering techniques may be necessary to ensure continued stability of the arch."

Under the preferred proposal contained in an environmental assessment now open for public comment, up to 75 20-foot-long tensioned rockbolts would be installed in a net-like pattern to stabilize the overall alcove arch. This approach creates a three-dimensional network of steel reinforcement that stitches and ties together individual preexisting rock blocks within the stabilized overall rock mass, thus forming a unified “rock block," the EA notes.

Additionally, the project would involve:

  • Installation of 120 passive 6- to 8-foot rockbolts to stabilize smaller local rock features.
  • Encapsulation of every completed rockbolt with custom-colored mortar that would match the color and texture of the adjacent surrounding sandstone and provide corrosion protection.
  • Treatment of shrinkage cracks in the existing concrete plug (installed in 1963) between the sandstone at the back of the alcove arch and the outer face of the alcove roof.
  • Removal of loose surface rocks, detached rock slabs, and vegetation (minor scaling) using hand and power tools.
  • Installation of several relatively small, rectangular-shaped corbels6 (constructed of reinforced concrete and color matched to the local sandstone) that would be tucked up and under several hanging rock blocks that form part of the alcove’s outer surface. Their position would minimize exposure and visibility.
  • Installation of geotechnical instrumentation with remote data logging and transmitting capabilities (located in the park’s headquarters) to constantly monitor the alcove arch’s stability.

Public comment is being taken through April 10. You can find the EA and a page to comment at this site.

Under the preferred alternative, the cliff dwelling would reopen to the public after the work is completed. The EA also contains a "no action" alternative, which would keep the dwelling closed and allow natural processes to contine to eat away at the alcove, and an option to prevent continued deterioration but not reopen the dwelling to the public.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.