The Whole Enchilada: Complete Guide to Moab's Iconic 26-Mile MTB Descent
The Whole Enchilada — 26 miles, 7,000 ft of descent, alpine to desert. Everything you need to know to plan, shuttle, and ride Moab's iconic mountain bike descent in 2026.
Quick Stats
- Distance: ~27 miles (43 km)
- Descent: ~7,000 ft (2,134 m)
- Climb: ~1,500 ft (mostly the punches between zones)
- Trail style: Five distinct zones — alpine singletrack, desert chunder, slickrock, exposed cliff edge
- Difficulty: Advanced (when full route is open); Intermediate-Advanced for partial early-season starts
- Recommended bike: Enduro or long-travel trail (140mm+ rear, 150mm+ fork). Hardtails get punished.
- Time: 5–8 hours depending on group pace and how much you session
- Shuttle: Required — no practical pedal-up option to Burro Pass
- Season: Late May / June through October (full route to Burro Pass); March–November (partial routes from lower starts)
What the Whole Enchilada Actually Is
Five trails strung together into one descent: Burro Pass → Hazard County → UPS (Upper Porcupine Singletrack) → LPS (Lower Porcupine Singletrack) → Porcupine Rim. Each zone rides differently. Burro Pass is alpine singletrack through aspen and conifer at 11,000 ft. Hazard County is rocky technical descending. UPS is fast jeep-road chunder. LPS is the technical rock crux — exposed ledges and slickrock puzzles. Porcupine Rim is the iconic exposed cliff-edge finale dropping into the Colorado River canyon.
When riders say "the Whole Enchilada," they technically mean the full Burro Pass start. In practice, most spring trips ride a partial Enchilada because Burro Pass at 11,000 ft doesn't melt out until late May or June. Shuttle operators drop at Hazard County or Kokopelli starts when the top is closed — still excellent, just shorter (~22 miles vs 27).
Shuttle Logistics
This is a shuttle-only ride. No practical way to pedal up to Burro Pass — the road climb is brutal and would add 5+ hours.
The two main operators:
- Whole Enchilada Shuttle ($35–$45 per person, depending on season). Parking lot at 675 N Main St in Moab. Permitted by BLM and USFS. Their website is seasonal; book by phone if you can't reach them online.
- Coyote Shuttle ($40–$50 per person). VW vans, operating since 1995. Books out 2+ weeks ahead in peak spring.
Other Moab operators that run Enchilada shuttles (use these if the primary two are full):
- Hazard County Shuttle
- Big Rack Shuttle
- Moab Cyclery Shuttle (bundle with rental for a discount)
Tip $5–$10 per person.
Book your shuttle FIRST. This is the most-made trip-planning mistake in Moab. Lock the shuttle date, build the rest of the trip around it.
Bike + Gear
Bike: Enduro (150–170mm) is ideal. Long-travel trail bikes (140mm+) work. Hardtails will hurt you by the time you hit LPS — the technical sections demand suspension. DH bikes are too much — there are climbing punches between zones that require pedaling.
Tires: Tire sealant matters in Moab — sandstone shreds sidewalls. Run 28+ psi rear minimum. EXO+ casing or equivalent recommended.
Hydration: 3 liters minimum, 4L if it's warm. There's no resupply on the route. Hydration pack with bladder is the right call.
Food: 700+ calories of trail food. The ride is 5+ hours. Bring more than you think you need.
Other essentials: Multi-tool, spare tube, CO2 + tire plug, sunscreen (zero shade after the alpine), first-aid kit, headlamp (rides routinely take longer than expected). Knee pads strongly recommended for LPS section.
Trail Beta — Section by Section
Burro Pass (when open)
Top elevation 11,000 ft. Alpine singletrack through aspen and pine forest. Fast and flowy with some loose corners. Roughly 4 miles. The legitimately scenic alpine section that justifies the "alpine to desert" framing.
Hazard County
Rocky, technical descending through scrubby high-desert terrain. Watch for hikers and motos. Faster than it looks. Roughly 6 miles.
UPS (Upper Porcupine Singletrack)
Wide jeep-road chunder. The "fastest" section. Lots of riders treat UPS as a chance to recover before the technical sections later. Drink water here — your hydration use accelerates from this point.
LPS (Lower Porcupine Singletrack)
The technical crux. Mandatory rock features, exposed ledges, slickrock puzzles. Knee pads make sense here. Walk anything you're not 100% confident on — falls have real consequences. Some sections have go-arounds, many don't.
Porcupine Rim (final ~5 miles)
The iconic finale. Exposed singletrack along a 1,000-ft cliff edge with views of Castle Valley. Relentless. The notorious ledge drop near the end above the Colorado River — session it or take the left go-around. Plenty of riders crash here from fatigue, not skill.
End at Hwy 128 along the Colorado River. Shuttle pickup or arranged self-shuttle from here.
Best Season
- Late May / early June: Burro Pass starting to open. Big snow years push to mid-June. First chance for the full route.
- Mid-June through September: Peak season. Full route open, hot midday, monsoons in July–August.
- Late September / October: Second peak. Cool mornings, full route still accessible, fall colors in the La Sals.
- November: Some shuttle operators reduce schedules. Cold mornings.
- March–April: Partial Enchilada from lower starts (Hazard County, Kokopelli). Full route closed by snow.
Best week of the year: Late September / early October. Cool weather, full route open, smaller crowds than peak May/April.
Common Mistakes
1. Booking the shuttle last. Book the shuttle FIRST. Build the rest of the trip around it.
2. Underestimating water. 3L minimum. The ride is longer than it looks; rationing leads to bonking on Porcupine Rim.
3. Wrong bike. Hardtails struggle. XC bikes get destroyed. Bring or rent enduro.
4. No tire sealant. Moab sandstone eats sidewalls. Go in with sealed tubeless tires.
5. Pacing wrong. Ride conservatively in the first 3 zones. Save legs for LPS and Porcupine Rim crux moves.
6. Skipping the Burro Pass section when it's open. People shuttle to Hazard County for convenience and miss the alpine section. If Burro is open, take it.
7. Not bringing a headlamp. This ride routinely takes longer than expected. Finishing in dusk happens.
8. Riding it on Day 1 of a trip. The Enchilada is taxing. Ride Bar M, Slickrock, or Porcupine Rim alone first to acclimate before doing the full Enchilada.
After the Ride
Plan a recovery beer and food. Moab's ritual post-Enchilada spots:
- Moab Brewery — pints, food, the obvious choice
- Milt's Stop & Eat — old-school burger joint
- Desert Bistro — sit-down dinner if you have the energy
Most groups do nothing else useful that day. Plan your next-day ride as easy or rest.
Cost Math for an Enchilada-Focused Trip
A 4-day Moab trip centered on the Whole Enchilada:
- Shuttle (1 day): $40
- Rental (enduro, 4 days, multi-day discount): $440
- Mid-tier hotel (double occupancy, 4 nights): $380
- Food: $200
- Fuel: $30
- Total: ~$1,090 per person before airfare
[Full Moab cost breakdown](/guides/moab-mtb-trip-cost) for the broader trip context.
Other Moab Rides to Pair With It
The Enchilada is one ride; a Moab trip needs more. Common 4-day pattern:
- Day 1: Bar M / Moab Brands or Slickrock Trail (warm-up)
- Day 2: Captain Ahab or Klondike Bluffs
- Day 3: Whole Enchilada (the marquee)
- Day 4: Porcupine Rim alone (recovery from Enchilada with iconic finale)
Or replace Day 4 with rest + Arches scenic drive.
Bottom Line
The Whole Enchilada is the most iconic shuttled descent in North American mountain biking. Book your shuttle early, bring the right bike, pack 3+ liters of water, and ride conservatively in the first three zones to save legs for LPS and Porcupine Rim. Do it in late September if you can; peak spring also works but watch for snow on Burro Pass closing the top.
[Plan your Moab trip →](/destinations/moab-ut)
Frequently asked questions
›How long does the Whole Enchilada take?
5 to 8 hours of moving time depending on pace, group size, and how much you session technical sections. Most groups budget a full day from shuttle pickup to finish — typically 9 AM shuttle to 4 to 6 PM finish at Hwy 128. Plan no other riding that day.
›Do I need to shuttle the Whole Enchilada?
Yes — there's no practical way to pedal up to Burro Pass. The road climb adds 5+ hours and isn't worth doing. Shuttle costs $35 to $50 per person from operators including Whole Enchilada Shuttle, Coyote Shuttle, Hazard County, Big Rack, and Moab Cyclery. Book 2+ weeks ahead during peak spring and fall.
›When does the full Whole Enchilada open?
The Burro Pass top at 11,000 ft typically melts out in late May or early June, opening the full ~27-mile route. Big snow years push opening into mid or late June. First snow in October typically closes Burro Pass. Spring trips before mid-May ride a partial Enchilada from lower starts at Hazard County or Kokopelli.
›What bike do I need for the Whole Enchilada?
Enduro (150-170mm travel) is ideal. Long-travel trail bikes (140mm+ rear, 150mm+ fork) work. Hardtails will get punished by the time you hit LPS and the rocky Porcupine Rim sections. DH bikes are too much — there are climbing punches between zones. Rent enduro at Poison Spider, Chile Pepper, or Moab Cyclery if you don't have one.
›How much water for the Whole Enchilada?
3 liters minimum, 4 liters if it's warm. There is zero resupply on the route. Bring a hydration pack with a bladder. Most riders also bring a salt tab or electrolyte mix — desert dehydration sneaks up. Bonking on Porcupine Rim (the last section) from running out of water is one of the most common Enchilada incidents.
›How hard is the Whole Enchilada?
Solidly advanced when the full route is open. The LPS section has mandatory technical rock features and exposed ledges with real consequence. Porcupine Rim's cliff-edge sections require focused riding when you're already 4+ hours in. A confident intermediate rider can do it on a partial Enchilada (skipping LPS for the bypass), but the full route demands advanced skills.
›Can a beginner ride the Whole Enchilada?
No. The technical sections (LPS, Porcupine Rim crux) have exposure and mandatory features that aren't beginner-appropriate. Beginners should ride Bar M, Klondike Bluffs, or Slickrock Trail in Moab and save the Enchilada for after they have 30+ rides under their belt and feel confident on technical rock.
›What's the best time of year for the Whole Enchilada?
Late September through early October is the sweet spot — cool weather, full route open, fall colors in the La Sals, smaller crowds than peak May. Mid-June through August has the longest days but afternoon heat is a real factor. Late May to early June can deliver the full route earlier than expected if it's a low-snow year — check shuttle operator status.
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