Burrow Wash is probably the most publicized hike in Capitol Reef National Park. It deserves a good reputation. The hike is not long but offers much. Some slot canyon sections are nice and include the possibility of water in the slot. There is some slickrock walking, some scrambling and toward the upper part some high, sheer Navajo Sandstone walls. Do not plan on finding drinking water but you can plan to find shade. Take your time.
There is a free description and map of this hike available at the Visitor Center.
| TIME: | The walk to the final block could be done in two hours, but why? |
| ELEVATION GAIN: | 500 Feet. |
| DIFFICULTY: | Easy route finding. Difficult scrambling |
| MAPS: | Notom, Golden Throne |
| GEOLOGY: | Towering sandstone walls. |
| PLANTS: | A nice variety. |
| CIRCLE TRIP: | No. |
| ACCESS: | From the Visitor Center drive east 9.2 miles on Utah highway 24 to the signed Notom Road. Turn right (south) and drive 7.7 miles to the parking area at the signed Burro Wash. |
| SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: | The first slot often has water in it so "water shoes" may be desired. |
From the parking area (S) walk down into Burro Wash then turn right (west) upstream and follow the wash or cut across the bends for thirty minutes. For the first twenty five minutes the local rock formation is the red brown Entrada Sandstone. Some of the lighter colored beds often are more resistant and create occasional small hills.
The view to the west includes the east facing slope of the Waterpocket Fold where the highest visible rock layer is the tan Navajo Sandstone. In this area there is an abnormally high amount of red stain in the Navajo. All layers between the Entrada and rounded Navajo are part of the Carmel Formation.
Just as the first Cottonwood trees come into view the rock formation at wash level changes to the Carmel. While walking up the wash past the cottonwoods the tall copper colored grass at the edge of the wash is Big Bluestem or Copper Grass.
A couple minutes into the Carmel Formation the bottom of the wash becomes rocky and five minutes beyond that the Capitol Reef National Park boundary is well marked on the left side of the wash.
Two minutes beyond the Park boundary the wash has a bedrock bottom and a side canyon goes off the right (north). Follow the main fork straight ahead. Ten minutes past the Park boundary the canyon digs into the Navajo Formation. Just upstream of that there is a minor drainage entering from the left (south) that slides down over the top of the Navajo into the main wash. The main wash continues to the right (north).
The first (of two) slot section is encountered ten minutes into the Navajo. Toward the end of the slot there is often a stretch of water and there is a chokestone to climb over.
Where the slot opens up into a vegetated area the first bush growing out of the left (south) wall is a Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany. The small tree growing in it is a Singleleaf Ash, as is the first tree in the wash. The next tree up the wash on the left is Box Elder.
After a short time in the open area the second slot starts. It is broken into three pieces by minor breaks. Toward the end of the last section it is possible to climb out to the right (north) and avoid climbing over more logs and rocks. The canyon bottom widens slowly after the slot then there is a sandy junction with a side drainage coming in from the left (south). Fifty feet beyond that, a smaller drainage enters from the right (north). At that junction, take one step north up the side drainage then face west up Burro wash and observe the canyon wall on the north (right) side. Because the main wash is blocked ahead, any hope of continuing very far up Burro Wash requires a detour on this north slope.
Notice the numerous bands of very dark stain on that slope. Find the highest dark stain layer on the horizon. With your eye, follow that black streak to the right (east) to its end (200-300 feet). Look straight down from the end of that dark stain to a brownish stained cliffy bump (there may be a small Juniper tree growing on top). Follow that bump left (west) and there is a saddle, then another little cliff of brown. The route goes up the steep sandstone behind the saddle. The best way to cross the slope is to walk around to the right (east) and behind (north) the first brown cliff with the small juniper on it, then go up the sandstone slope behind the saddle. Once you get your hand (or maybe foot) on the lowest dark stained rock the trip is made.
On top of that first thin bed of dark rock there is a trail that goes mostly level for a while headed west. Traverse, without much elevation change around to the main ridge headed south (left). Along that traverse some of the pour-overs being circumvented are visible.
Walk south out the ridge that forces Burro Wash to make a big swing to the south. Near the end turn right (west) and walk down into the main wash.
Back in the main wash, turn right (north) and go upstream. After a couple minutes the canyon narrows again and at the beginning of the left (south) wall there is a Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany a few feet above the wash with a green leafless plant in it. That is a Mormon Tea. Above that is a Barberry bush.
From here the main wash can be followed for twenty minutes or more as it winds through the steep, high Navajo walls past a number of side canyons. A grove of willows and tamarisk with a cottonwood tree and a water hole will tend to end a trip (E) if there is much water in the pool. If not, the hike ends a short distance ahead at a pour-over.
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23June2017
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