Burro Wash in Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Canyoneer Burro Wash Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Class 3 3B III (110 ft max) 11.2 miles 1800 gain 7-10 hrs Loop Aug 13, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Burro Wash GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

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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Follow Burro Wash from the trailhead.
Follow Burro Wash from the trailhead.
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Eventually, the wash turns a bit more interesting.
Eventually, the wash turns a bit more interesting.
We scrambled south out of the wash before the walls got too steep.
We scrambled south out of the wash before the walls got too steep.
Traversing the hills south of Burro Wash. There are a million routes to take here.
Traversing the hills south of Burro Wash. There are a million routes to take here.
We got to this fence at some point.
We got to this fence at some point.
Overlooking Burro Wash.
Overlooking Burro Wash.
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Along the rim.
Along the rim.
Looking back along the rim.
Looking back along the rim.
The landscape starts to get a little trickier toward the end.
The landscape starts to get a little trickier toward the end.
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Look closely at the bottom and you can see Mike scrambling down.
Look closely at the bottom and you can see Mike scrambling down.
More scrambling and route-finding.
More scrambling and route-finding.
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).
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).
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Entering the canyon leading to Burro Wash.
Entering the canyon leading to Burro Wash.
Avoiding one of many dryfalls.
Avoiding one of many dryfalls.
The junction with Burro Wash.
The junction with Burro Wash.
Within Burro Wash.
Within Burro Wash.
First rappel.
First rappel.
After the first rappel.
After the first rappel.
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This ridiculously massive dome marks the start of the fun.
This ridiculously massive dome marks the start of the fun.
Entering the narrows.
Entering the narrows.
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Lots of fun obstacles.
Lots of fun obstacles.
Second rappel.
Second rappel.
After the second rappel.
After the second rappel.
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Narrows open up, but the walls are still super high.
Narrows open up, but the walls are still super high.
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One of many side canyon junctions along the way.
One of many side canyon junctions along the way.
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Third rappe. Traverse on the side to get to a tree where there is some webbing, avoiding a pothole.
Third rappe. Traverse on the side to get to a tree where there is some webbing, avoiding a pothole.
Bottom of rappel 4, which comes directly after rappel 3.
Bottom of rappel 4, which comes directly after rappel 3.
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Back into some fun narrows.
Back into some fun narrows.
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Burro Wash finally opens up completely, great colors all over.
Burro Wash finally opens up completely, great colors all over.
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Eventually the beauty ends and spits you back into the sandy wash. Follow the wash back to the trailhead.
Eventually the beauty ends and spits you back into the sandy wash. Follow the wash back to the trailhead.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!