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Wasatch Trail Loop
Trail Running Route
Hard
15.22 mi
4,409 ft
The iconic Wasatch Trail Loop beginning from downtown Telluride.
The Wasatch Trail is one of the most iconic trails in Telluride and a bonafide bucket list objective for Colorado trail runners. But this loop is no joke: it demands about 4,500 feet of climbing in 15 miles, rising to a sky-scraping high point of 13,061 feet.
The run shown here begins from downtown Telluride, but you can bypass a bit of the climbing with a vehicle shuttle to Bridal Veil Falls trailhead. Regardless, you're in for a slog up a dirt road for thousands of feet before eventually reaching the singletrack. The climbing continues into the alpine, eventually reaching the Wasatch Trail's high point at 13,061 feet.
Here you'll enjoy staggering high-alpine scenery, with the jaw-dropping San Juan mountains all around you. Keep your eyes peeled for alpine wildlife, like marmots. Once done enjoying the high alpine terrain, it's time for the fun part!
The descent off the top of the pass consists of narrow singletrack running through exposed high-alpine terrain. You will have to navigate tight switchbacks, loose rocks, and exposed ledges on your way down to the Bear Creek drainage. Some sections of trail are quite exposed, with consequential fall danger.
The trail will eventually smooth out and follow a fast, flowy singletrack along the creek. You will pass by some historic mining structures and more waterfalls before popping out on the outskirts of Telluride. Written by Greg Heil
The Wasatch Trail is one of the most iconic trails in Telluride and a bonafide bucket list objective for Colorado trail runners. But this loop is no joke: it demands about 4,500 feet of climbing in 15 miles, rising to a sky-scraping high point of 13,061 feet.
The run shown here begins from downtown Telluride, but you can bypass a bit of the climbing with a vehicle shuttle to Bridal Veil Falls trailhead. Regardless, you're in for a slog up a dirt road for thousands of feet before eventually reaching the singletrack. The climbing continues into the alpine, eventually reaching the Wasatch Trail's high point at 13,061 feet.
Here you'll enjoy staggering high-alpine scenery, with the jaw-dropping San Juan mountains all around you. Keep your eyes peeled for alpine wildlife, like marmots. Once done enjoying the high alpine terrain, it's time for the fun part!
The descent off the top of the pass consists of narrow singletrack running through exposed high-alpine terrain. You will have to navigate tight switchbacks, loose rocks, and exposed ledges on your way down to the Bear Creek drainage. Some sections of trail are quite exposed, with consequential fall danger.
The trail will eventually smooth out and follow a fast, flowy singletrack along the creek. You will pass by some historic mining structures and more waterfalls before popping out on the outskirts of Telluride. Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride valley trail E from Town park to Bridal Veil parking | 1.83 mi | 253 ft | 2.6% |
| Colorado Ave Climb | 0.62 mi | 167 ft | 5.1% |
| East End | 0.52 mi | 112 ft | 3.7% |
| Black Bear Pass Summit Climb | 1.01 mi | 735 ft | 13.8% |
| Valley to the Blue Lake turn | 3.66 mi | 2,448 ft | 12.7% |
| Top of the Falls | 2.07 mi | 1,312 ft | 11.9% |
| Black Bear Pass Summit Climb | 0.27 mi | 233 ft | 16.2% |
| Black Bear Pass Summit Climb | 0.30 mi | 151 ft | 9.4% |
| Forest Service Road 648 Climb | 1.58 mi | 988 ft | 11.8% |
| Wasatch Trail Climb | 0.79 mi | 561 ft | 13.2% |
| Bear Creek descent - Wasatch to bottom | 1.98 mi | -814 ft | -7.8% |