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+ 194

Wasatch Trail Loop

Mountain Biking Trail

Extreme
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 mountain bikers. 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 ride 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

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Mine Climb1.06 mi187 ft3.0%
Forest Service Road 648 Climb0.72 mi436 ft11.4%
Bridal Veil Switchbacks1.46 mi738 ft9.6%
Black Bear Pass Summit Climb0.57 mi292 ft9.6%
Bridezilla4.77 mi2,556 ft10.0%
Forest Service Road 648 Climb0.57 mi390 ft12.5%
Blue Lakes "Y"> Wasatch Intersection SUMMIT!3.02 mi1,578 ft9.9%
Wasatch Trail Climb0.61 mi328 ft10.1%
D65 Rd Climb0.48 mi289 ft11.3%
Wasatch Full DH6.44 mi-4,255 ft-12.5%
bear creek trail descent2.03 mi-846 ft-7.9%
Bear Creek full descent1.96 mi-873 ft-8.4%
Bear Creek Avalanche Descent1.84 mi-666 ft-6.8%