The Whole Enchilada Season: Open Segments & Shuttle 101

If you are dreaming of riding from high alpine singletrack all the way down to the desert floor in a single ride, you are thinking about The Whole Enchilada. Planning around Whole Enchilada season and shuttle logistics is the difference between a dream day and a very long hike with a bike.

This guide breaks down when the trail is usually open, how it typically opens in stages, and how shuttle operations work, so you can plan your Moab trip with realistic expectations.

What is The Whole Enchilada?

The Whole Enchilada (TWE) is a legendary, mostly downhill point-to-point mountain bike route just outside Moab, Utah. In its full form, it connects a stack of classic trails into one huge descent:

• Burro Pass
• Hazard County
• Kokopelli / Kokopelli Trail
• Upper Porcupine Singletrack (UPS)
• Lower Porcupine Singletrack (LPS)
• Porcupine Rim
• Finishing near the Colorado River, just outside town

On a typical “full” day you:

1. Catch a shuttle in Moab.
2. Get dropped off high in the La Sal Mountains.
3. Climb to Burro Pass, then descend through forest, aspen, and alpine meadows.
4. Transition to high desert singletrack and rim riding.
5. Finish in classic Moab rock and slickrock overlooking the river.

Because you start high in the mountains and end low in the desert, the Whole Enchilada riding season is controlled by snow, mud, and storms at the top, and heat and flash floods at the bottom.

Whole Enchilada Season Overview

Here is the most important thing to understand: There is no fixed calendar date when the Whole Enchilada “opens” or “closes.” The Whole Enchilada season typically runs from late spring through fall, but actual openings change every year with snowpack, storms, and maintenance.

In a normal year, the pattern looks like this:

• Early season (March – May)
  
  • High alpine sections (Burro Pass, sometimes Hazard) are still under snow or too wet.
    
  • Shuttles usually start dropping riders at lower trailheads like Porcupine Rim once the snow line retreats.
    
  • You might ride LPS / Porcupine Rim but not the full route.
    
• Mid season (June – early October)
  
  • High country melts out.
    
  • Segments typically open progressively upward: LPS → UPS → Hazard → Burro.
    
  • At some point in this window, conditions allow a “true” Whole Enchilada from Burro Pass to the river.
    
  • This is usually considered prime Whole Enchilada season.
    
• Late season (mid October – November, sometimes into early winter)
  
  • Early storms start closing the top again.
    
  • Shuttles step down to lower drop-off points as snow returns to Burro and Hazard.
    
  • You might still get Kokopelli / UPS / LPS / Porcupine, even if Burro is done for the year.

Always treat any description of when the Whole Enchilada is open as a guideline, not a guarantee. You must check current conditions with local shops, shuttle companies, land managers, or trail associations before you commit.

Open Segments by Month (Approximate)

This section is rough guidance only. Actual timing can swing weeks in either direction depending on snowpack, freezing levels, and fall storms.

Think of this as a mental framework for planning your Whole Enchilada season, not a promise.

Shuttle Ops

Because The Whole Enchilada is point-to-point with a big loss in elevation, shuttles are the standard way to ride it.

Here is how shuttle operations typically work, without getting into specific company policies or prices.

Booking a shuttle

• Reserve in advance
  • Prime Whole Enchilada season (especially September and October) books up fast.
  • Weekends often sell out first.
• Provide accurate info
  • Number of riders and bikes.
  • Bike type (DH, enduro, e-bike if allowed, etc.).
  • Desired trailhead (Burro, Hazard, Kokopelli, UPS, Porcupine) depending on what is open.
• Ask the right questions
  • What segments are open today?
  • Where are you dropping riders right now and why?
  • Any closures, storms, or active maintenance to know about?

Shuttle drivers are usually your best real-time source for whether the Whole Enchilada is open from top to bottom or running as a shortened version.

Pickup and drop-off

• Pickup
  • Most shuttles leave from Moab or close to town, with a scheduled departure time.
  • You and your bike load up in a van, trailer, or truck rack setup.
• Drop-off
  • Depending on conditions, you might be dropped at:
    • Burro Pass trailhead
    • Hazard County
    • Kokopelli / La Sal Loop Road
    • UPS / LPS / Porcupine Rim access points
  • The higher the drop, the more segments you get, assuming they are open and legal to ride.

Daily schedule

• Morning is king
  • Most shuttle companies focus on morning departures:
    • Cooler temps.
    • Better time buffer in case of mechanicals or crashes.
    • Reduced lightning risk compared with late-day starts in monsoon season.
• Multiple runs per day
  • In peak season, some outfits run multiple departures.
  • Early shuttles tend to give you more margin for mechanicals, photos, and snack breaks.

What to expect on the ride

A full Whole Enchilada is not just a long downhill. Expect:

• Climbs, especially up to Burro Pass and on traverses between segments.
  
• Very rough and technical rock moves on Porcupine Rim.
  
• Big exposure in places.
  
• Constant line choice and body-position work, even when “descending.”
  

Treat this as a full backcountry ride, not a bike-park lap.

Shuttle etiquette

• Be on time for pickup. Vans will not wait indefinitely.
• Have your bike ready:
  • Tires topped up.
  • Suspension set.
  • Tool kit and spares with you, not just in the van.
• Respect other riders’ space and gear.
• Follow any instructions for loading/unloading bikes.
• Tip your driver if service was good. They are your lifeline to up-to-date intel on Whole Enchilada season and conditions.

Gear, Safety & Altitude Tips

The Whole Enchilada stacks serious vertical, varied terrain, and real exposure to weather. Plan your kit like you are heading on a big day in the mountains, because you are.

Bike setup

• A modern trail or enduro bike (130–170 mm) is ideal.
  
• Tubeless tires with inserts or tough casings are highly recommended.
  
• Fresh brake pads, bled brakes, and a solid drivetrain are musts.
  
• Dropper post is almost essential for comfort and control on extended descents.
  

What to carry

Use this as a starting checklist:

• Water
  
  • Many riders aim for 3–4 liters minimum on a warm day.
    
  • There are generally no reliable water sources on route.
    
• Food
  
  • Enough calories for 5–8 hours on the bike, depending on your pace.
    
  • Mix quick sugar (gels, chews) with real food (bars, sandwiches).
    
• Tools & spares
  
  • Multi-tool with chain breaker
    
  • Spare tube (even if tubeless)
    
  • Pump and/or CO₂
    
  • Tire plugs
    
  • Chain quick link
    
  • Zip ties and tape
    
• Clothing
  
  • Light jacket or wind shell: the top can be chilly even when Moab is hot.
    
  • Extra layer for shoulder season or if storms are in the forecast.
    
  • Gloves, eye protection, and a proper helmet.
    
  • Knee and elbow pads if you normally use them.
    
• Other essentials
  
  • Small first-aid kit
    
  • Navigation (GPS, offline map app, or at least a downloaded route)
    
  • Phone with a charged battery and a way to keep it from dying in the cold or heat.
    

Altitude & weather

• The upper sections of The Whole Enchilada are significantly higher than Moab town.
  
• Expect:
  
  • Thinner air and more effort on climbs.
    
  • Much cooler temperatures at the start, especially in the morning.
    
  • Rapid weather changes: sun to rain, wind, or even snow at high elevations.
    

If you are coming from sea level, account for how your body may feel at altitude on the initial climb to Burro.

Ride Planning Tips

Making the most of Whole Enchilada season is all about timing, honesty about your ability, and staying flexible.

Match your ride to your skill level

The Whole Enchilada is not a beginner-friendly trail. Before you commit to a full run:

• Be comfortable on long, rocky descents.
  
• Have experience with exposure and tech moves on rough terrain.
  
• Be honest about how long big rides usually take you.
  

If you are not sure, consider:

• Starting lower (UPS / LPS / Porcupine) first to get a feel for the character.
  
• Hiring a guide for your first attempt, especially if your group is mixed-ability.
  

Start earlier than you think

An early shuttle gives you:

• Cooler temperatures.
  
• More time for mechanicals, photos, and breaks.
  
• A bigger safety margin if storms pop up or someone struggles.
  

You do not want to be picking your way down Porcupine Rim in the dark because you underestimated time or took a mid-day shuttle in peak heat.

Check conditions the day before (and the morning of)

Because when the Whole Enchilada is open changes so fast, always:

• Call or visit a local shop or shuttle provider for up-to-date info.
  
• Ask specifically about:
  
  • Snow line and closures at Burro / Hazard.
    
  • Any storm damage or temporary reroutes.
    
  • Trail work or events that might affect access or crowds.
    

Treat online reports and last week’s ride beta as helpful background, not the last word.

Have a bailout mindset

Even if conditions look good:

• Be willing to call the ride or shorten it if:
  
  • Weather turns ugly.
    
  • Someone in the group is bonking hard.
    
  • You have repeated mechanicals you cannot fully solve on trail.
    

A “partial enchilada” that everyone finishes safely is better than a full one that turns into a rescue.

Stay Flexible Through the Whole Enchilada season

The Whole Enchilada is a bucket-list ride because it changes under your tires as you descend: alpine, forest, high desert, and classic Moab rim all in one massive shot. To enjoy it safely, you need to treat Whole Enchilada season as a living thing that moves with snowpack, storms, and temperatures, not a fixed block of dates on a calendar.

Use the patterns and month-by-month guidance in this article to frame your trip, then:

• Check local conditions right before you go.
  
• Talk to shuttle drivers and shop staff.
  
• Be honest about your skills and fitness.
  
• Stay flexible about how “whole” your Enchilada really needs to be.

If you respect the mountain, the desert, and the season, you will line up a ride that feels every bit as big and legendary as you imagine.

Whole Enchilada Season FAQs