Burro Wash

Dogs No Dogs

Features Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

If your ideal visit to Capitol Reef includes venturing into one of the area's scenic slot canyons, this moderate route has a lot to offer. This canyon has a range of obstacles, and visitors can turn back at any point. With a combination of scenic side slots and a wide open start, this route appeals to both seasoned canyoneers and beginners alike.

Begin by following the trail located at the south of the parking area. This trail is significantly shorter and substantially firmer than the alternative, which is following the sandy wash.

A couple miles in, an impressive stand of Utah serviceberry surrounds the park boundary fence, where you'll go through a gate. Please be sure to close it behind your party. The canyon junction is located just beyond. Stay left on the ramp and drop into the wash bottom at the top. Shortly after the park boundary, the canyon again divides with a smooth rock pour-off on the left and a sandy narrows to the right.

This time, head right on the sandy wash to a minor chockstone that requires a climb up the left side. Often, there is a pool at the base of this stone. If water blocks your path, a cairned and steep bypass route on the left (south) leads to your detour from the pour-off. If you can make your way past the boulder, it is worth continuing on because the next barrier (which is more difficult) is located at the far end of a scenic slot section.

A short ways after the entry chockstone, great sweeping crossbeds in the Navajo Sandstone are exposed on both sides of the canyon. The first slot, which slants to the right, cuts through sculpted sandstone walls, and only a little ways along you'll find a good long shoulder-width slot that is equally aesthetic. The chockstone here is awkward and about eight feet high, requiring a rock scramble to get over it.

A couple of openings in the canyon above the slot grant pleasant interludes before the next slot, also shoulder width, but not very deep. Another short, iron-rich sandstone section follows, and then one more, which has had a log obstacle at the end for several years. A short distance down from the log, you'll come into a peaceful diamond-shaped opening. This is a good spot for lunch and to let others by, if need be.

The final slot canyon is guarded by two difficult chockstones that are passable by proficient canyoneers, but may stump beginners. The route behind these sentinels starts easy, but quickly deepens and narrows to less than a boot width in spots. There are several obstacles, both rock and wood. This spectacular slot terminates into a deep sand-floored chamber below the entry to the pour off. After spending some time here, just retrace your steps back to the trailhead and parking area.

This content was contributed by Rick Stinchfield, author of The Complete Hiking Guide to Capitol Reef National Park.

Sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and Entrada spaceship-like features are about the only amusements for the first mile. As the wash enters the rock formations, cottonwoods and Fremont barberry are a welcome
change - though there also signs that the invasive salt cedar is beginning to achieve a toe hold here. Abundant
clumps of rough mules ears add cheerful color in early summer.

Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) is a member of the rose family and one of the early bloomers in the area. In April, clumps of the plant can be found entirely covered in sweet-smelling white flowers. Serviceberry fruits, generally bluish or purple and a little less than a half-inch in diameter, are an important food source for dozens of species, including a wide variety of birds. Not only are the berries nutritious, but they also mature very early, becoming available when other foods are not yet abundant.