When most people see the Whole Enchilada has 7800 feet of descending they are like "sign me up"! I don't mean to spoil your fun but before you ever get to coast down a single foot of trail, you will have to make a brutal climb from Geyser Pass at 10,500 ft to Burro Pass at 11,150 feet in just over a mile.  First off a 650 feet climb is no joke but to do it at such a high elevation will leave your lungs feeling like they are going to explode.  I made it with only one dab near the top then got to recover for the next 15 minutes while the rest of our group made the climb.   

After you top Burro Pass the downhill begins.  Once again don't get too excited.  The initial down hill is so steep that you will be working very hard just to stay on the trail.  Keep your speed under control, one guy in our group was going to fast and road off into the bushes.  I wish there was a more sustainable downhill section near the top, but for now it is very steep.  There is a small creek crossing with a bridge as you start down that looks like it was just installed when we were there in 2018.

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Notice the trees are conifers like you would see in Colorado.  This high alpine setting is so different than anything you typically see in Moab.  

Aspens in Moab?  Yes, the Whole Enchilada rides through lovely aspen groves on the upper portion.  You will also experience the whole enchilada of weather conditions on your ride.  To complete the trail you must start at sunrise and even in August the temperature at the top was in the 40's.  By the time we got back to town the temperature was over 95 degrees.

We stopped for a lunch break near the end of the aspen trees.  Once you get through them you will be into the pinon and juniper trees and there will not be much shade.  Luckily as you eat your food (yes will have to take a lunch with you) you will have room to start shedding layers of clothing.  

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Keep in mind this is not a beginners trail.  If the bike shops don't think you look like an experienced cyclist they will not rent you a bike or shuttle you to the top of the trail.  Also, the upper portion of the trail doesn't open until July.  In 2019 the trail didn't open till mid August due to snow pack.

The starting point for this trail is weather dependent. The earlier in the season the lower you will have to start.  This is not open to interpretation but is published by the National Forest Service. The best way to know is to call a local bike shop in Moab, they will be more than happy to assist you.  For the sake of this article,  the Upper Whole Enchilada is from Geyser Pass to La Sal Mountain Loop.