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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
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
Route and Elevation
Segments
Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Mine Climb | 1.06 mi | 187 ft | 3.0% |
Forest Service Road 648 Climb | 0.72 mi | 436 ft | 11.4% |
Bridal Veil Switchbacks | 1.46 mi | 738 ft | 9.6% |
Black Bear Pass Summit Climb | 0.57 mi | 292 ft | 9.6% |
Bridezilla | 4.77 mi | 2,556 ft | 10.0% |
Forest Service Road 648 Climb | 0.57 mi | 390 ft | 12.5% |
Blue Lakes "Y"> Wasatch Intersection SUMMIT! | 3.02 mi | 1,578 ft | 9.9% |
Wasatch Trail Climb | 0.61 mi | 328 ft | 10.1% |
D65 Rd Climb | 0.48 mi | 289 ft | 11.3% |
Wasatch Full DH | 6.44 mi | -4,255 ft | -12.5% |
bear creek trail descent | 2.03 mi | -846 ft | -7.9% |
Bear Creek full descent | 1.96 mi | -873 ft | -8.4% |
Bear Creek Avalanche Descent | 1.84 mi | -666 ft | -6.8% |