Burro Pass

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Burro Pass

This loop ride is about 10 miles, with around 2000 feet of climbing. We did the Burro Pass trail itself as part of "The Whole Enchilada" an epic ride 26.5 miles long with 7000 vertical feet of downhill. The catch is, we haven't done the entire trail route we describe here. But it exists on our maps, so help yourself and good luck. The loop ride starts at 10,300, peaks at 11,200 feet in the La Sal Mountains, then loops around past Oowah Lake. Burro Pass is only for very strong, skilled, and adventuresome riders. Season is Mid July through September.

Chad descends a typical steep section of Burro Pass. September 3, 2007.

First on the agenda: a long commute from Moab. The Burro Pass trailhead is almost 30 miles and 6000 vertical feet away. The trailhead is remote and may not be drivable after a rain or in early summer. The last 1/2 mile to the official trailhead is steep and rutted. Many riders start a bit down the Geyser Pass road.

From the official trailhead at 10,400 feet, you'll ride uphill 800 vertical feet in 1.2 miles. Unless you're superhuman, there will be some hike-a-bike sections. (20% slope at 11,000 feet is tough!) Enjoy the beauty. Later on, you'll be too busy flying downhill and trying not to crash.

Chad and Mike climb uphill toward Burro Pass.

At the top of the ridge, ignore the hiking trail that goes steeply uphill on your right. Head straight across and downhill.

After crossing the ridge, you begin a steep switchback descent. This is fun stuff, with some technical challenges involving loose rock, roots, and very tight switchback turns.

After a couple of miles, the trail mellows. You're riding through fir with occasional meadows and aspens. You'll plunge through the creek a few times.

Burro Pass. Elevation 11,200 feet.

As you reach the aspen zone, you may actually have to pedal a bit. When you reach a water-diversion ditch, you're almost done with Burro. We took the trail over the ditch and uphill across a small mountain. It looks like you can ride along the ditch and meet the trail later near Warner Lake.

At the 4-way intersection, keep left. (The trail on the right goes past Warner Lake to the Warner Campground.) Maps show the trail descends on singletrack to join the gravel Oowah Lake road. Proceed past Oowah lake and find the continuing singletrack.

Bruce drops over a root section. Photo by Mike.

Disclaimer: We haven't mapped the entire loop. We've only ridden the Burro Pass trail itself. For our recommendation about the return portion, we're relying on a topo map, which shows a trail route that may or may not exist. If you don't want to end up as bear food, we suggest you buy a guidebook to the Moab and La Sal area trails. We have several that describe this route, and others nearby!

At the next intersection about a mile later, go left and begin climbing east and uphill toward the Geyser Lake road. You'll go about two miles.

When you reach the Geyser Pass road, turn left and follow the road back to where you parked your car.

Note: Alternative loops include
(1) start at Warner Lake and head 1/3 mile to the intersection then down toward Oowah Lake.
(2) start on the Geyser Pass road at Geyser Pass.
(3) using the Ooway Lake or Warner Campground roads as returns from the Burro Pass trail.

Chad hits the water on one of many creek crossings.

Burro Pass, counter-clockwise loop
0.0    Start uphill through the trees
         N38 29.801 W109 13.034
         Step through the gate onto ST
1.2    Ridge, cross and start downhill
         N38 30.214 W109 13.654
         Switchbacks, loose, steep
3.2    Fork L downhill
         N38 30.701 W109 15.143
3.8    Cross ditch R uphill
         N38 30.53 W109 15.68 (approx)
4.8    Fork left on ST
         N38 30.989 W109 16.437
         (Lake = to Warner Campground)
Further mileage is approximate!
-- Based on topo map of area --
We have NOT been beyond this point.
5.8    Join DT L to Oowah Lake
6.1    Pass Oowah Lake and find ST
7.1    Fork L
8.4    L on Geyser Pass road
Retrace shuttle route to trailhead

Mike flies over roots among the large firs.

Dominic skirts a small meadow.

Getting there:
On Moab's Main Street, head south on US-191. Zero your odometer at Center Street Center Street and drive 8.2 miles. Turn left toward Ken's Lake - La Sal Loop Road. At the T intersection 1/2 mile later, turn right. Stay on the paved La Sal Loop Road to mile 20.6, then turn right on gravel Geyser Pass road. After several miles the road narrows to a single lane. Drive 8 miles on Geyser Pass road (to mile 28.6). Here you come to a fork, with a small turnaround on the left just before the fork. This is Geyser Pass (N38 29.122 W109 13.940). Go left (you should see a "Burro Pass 1.2" sign as you curve around the fork), then keep right at the fork that immediately follows. 1.2 miles later (mile 29.8) turn left off the main road on an eroded doubletrack climbing steeply up the mountain, with a sign "Burro Pass TH" (N38 29.408 W109 12.906). Go 1/2 mile up the mountain (4-wheel drive strongly suggested here) and park where the DT disappears into some fir trees. The sign indicating the singletrack trailhead, and a step-around squeeze gate, is in those trees uphill from you.
Note: Some riders park at the turnaround on Geyser Pass (the 3-way fork 1.2 miles from the spur leading up to the singletrack trailhead). If so, add 1.7 miles to the mileages on the riding guide. If you parked on the road below the spur (1/2 mile from the singletrack trailhead), add 0.5 miles.

Riding resources for this trail:
Single-page riding guide
GPS track files (right-click and "Save as..."):
Garmin National Geographic GPX
High-res topo: Burro Pass Loop

For additional information, including nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest:
Comprehensive info on visiting Moab: http://www.moab-utah.com/
More stuff, activities: http://www.discovermoab.com/ Another source: http://www.moab.net
BLM information (OHV info, hiking, camping): http://www.blm.gov/utah/moab/rec-frame.html
Arches National Park Information: http://www.arches.national-park.com/
Canyonlands National Park: http://www.canyonlands.national-park.com/