Burro Wash

Capitol Reef National Park, UT Capitol Reef + North Wash

Trip stats

Distance
11.2 mi
Net Gain
1,800 ft
Time
7-10 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 3
ACA Rating
3B III
Longest Rappel
110 ft
Route
Loop

Ratings out of 10

Effort
5.4/10
Personality
8/10
Beauty
8/10
Solitude
7.6/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

38.181504, -111.094257

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Technical canyon warning

This is a technical canyon requiring canyoneering skills and specialized equipment. If you are not experienced with building anchors or using the gear required for technical canyoneering, do not attempt this route.

Aug 13, 2017 — Follow Burro Wash until you feel like you want to start up the ridge to the south. I don't know the best spot to do so, but the going is pretty easy since all you have to worry about is a bit of up and down along the rim. After a few miles, the terrain gets more serious and you have to consider working around fissures and cliffs. I'm sure there are a few ways to get to the head of Burro Wash from here, but the route described in my map worked with nothing more difficult than a couple of Class 3 moves. There is a canyon that washes into Burro Wash from the south. It has a few dryfalls that can be avoided with a little effort, but once you get into Burro Wash, the route-finding ends and the fun canyoneering begins. I don't know how this canyon doesn't get more traffic, it's easily one of my favorite canyoneering adventures to date.

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Photos

62 photos

  1. Follow Burro Wash from the trailhead.
  3. Eventually, the wash turns a bit more interesting.
  4. We scrambled south out of the wash before the walls got too steep.
  5. Traversing the hills south of Burro Wash. There are a million routes to take here.
  6. We got to this fence at some point.
  7. Overlooking Burro Wash.
  9. Along the rim.
  10. Looking back along the rim.
  11. The landscape starts to get a little trickier toward the end.
  13. Look closely at the bottom and you can see Mike scrambling down.
  14. More scrambling and route-finding.
  15. Eventually, a chasm blocks you, marking the way. Go around the chasm and continue along flat ground to get to the canyon entrance (see map).
  18. Entering the canyon leading to Burro Wash.
  19. Avoiding one of many dryfalls.
  20. The junction with Burro Wash.
  21. Within Burro Wash.
  22. First rappel.
  23. After the first rappel.
  27. This ridiculously massive dome marks the start of the fun.
  28. Entering the narrows.
  31. Lots of fun obstacles.
  32. Second rappel.
  33. After the second rappel.
  37. Narrows open up, but the walls are still super high.
  40. One of many side canyon junctions along the way.
  43. Third rappe. Traverse on the side to get to a tree where there is some webbing, avoiding a pothole.
  44. Bottom of rappel 4, which comes directly after rappel 3.
  46. Back into some fun narrows.
  55. Burro Wash finally opens up completely, great colors all over.
  62. Eventually the beauty ends and spits you back into the sandy wash. Follow the wash back to the trailhead.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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