Burro Mountain, 11,580', The Northern Summit

Essence: Burro Mountain is a stand-alone summit west of the principal range. It is the most northerly ranked peak in the La Plata Mountains. The Burro Benchmark affords a keen lookout west to Sleeping Ute, north to Lone Cone, east to Indian Trail Ridge, and south to Hesperus Mountain. Burro is perhaps the most humble prominence in the range and one of the very few easily scaled La Plata crests. A walk in the woods leads to a ramble across the linear northern edge. Return as you came or take one of two loops back to Windy Gap.
Travel: In a 4WD vehicle with decent clearance, from the US 550/160 intersection in Durango drive west on US 160 for 27.4 miles to the signal in Mancos. Measure from here. Turn north on CO 184 toward Dolores. In 0.3 mile, at the sign for Mancos State Park, turn right on Montezuma CR 42. See the west side of the La Platas from a fresh perspective as you pass by scattered ranches. At 5.5 miles, the road becomes FSR 561, West Mancos Road. Pass the Transfer Campground at 10.3 miles where pavement ends. Stay on FSR 561 at 11.1 miles. Pass the Aspen Guard Station at 11.9 miles. Roll through a mature aspen and ponderosa forest and turn right at mile 12.4 on FSR 350, Spruce Mill Road. (FSR 561 becomes the Aspen Loop Trail which ends at Windy Gap but it is considerably longer.) At 18.9 miles, the FSR 346 spur to the Twin Lakes and Sharkstooth trailheads turns off to the right. Stay straight on FSR 350; the road was rocky and rutted in 2019. Park at Windy Gap, 19.8 miles from US 160. Allow 1:15 from Durango.
Distance and Elevation Gain: Burro Benchmark and back is 3.2 miles with 600 feet of climbing; South Loop is 3.7 miles with 850 feet of vertical; North Loop is 5 miles with 1,050 feet of gain.
Time: 2:00 to 3:30
Difficulty: Off-trail and Forest Service roads; navigation moderate; no exposure
Map: La Plata, Colorado 7.5' USGS Quad or Apogee Mapping; Trails Illustrated #144: Durango and Cortez
Latest Date Hiked: July 17, 2019  
Quote: I would like to do whatever it is that presses the essence from the hour. Mary Oliver

The highest point on Burro Mountain is seen from the rock glacier on the north slopes. (Thomas Holt Ward, photo)

Route: From Windy Gap, hike through the woods to Point 11,454'. Walk along the north rim of the mountain. The highest point is Peak 11,580'. Continue to Benchmark 11,553'. Return as you came or choose between the South and North Loops.

Three miles south of Windy Gap is Lavender Peak and Hesperus Mountain.

Burro Mountain
FSR 350 and FSR 561, the Aspen Loop Trail, meet in Windy Gap, elevation 11,020 feet. The South Loop returns to Windy Gap on FSR 350 and the North Loop returns on FSR 561, image-right. To begin the hike walk a few steps back on FSR 350 and then ascend northwest on Burro Mountain's southeast ridge, image-left. There is no trail but it is easy to weave through the timber and climb over fallen logs. The forest floor is blanketed with myrtle blueberry. (THW, photo)

By 0.2 mile, you will be walking along the north drop. From Point 11,454' at 0.7 mile, there is a big-swing view to all points north. In this image, skimming the horizon are Lone Cone, the San Miguel Mountains, Lizard Head, and the Wilson group. At mid-range across the whole image is Indian Trail Ridge. The Bear Creek drainage is in the trench. In the foreground, FSR 561 weaves through stands of conifer burned in the Burro Fire of 2018.

Below, hikers walk along the northern edge of the pleasant ridge toward the summit of Burro Mountain. Small stone plates clink underfoot. The mountain splintered and shed to form the rock glacier some time ago; trees have taken hold on the slope. (THW, photo)

Stand on Burro Mountain, elevation 11,580 feet, at 1.3 miles. The peak register was placed in 2016 and has only a few signatures. From this relatively lofty vantage point locate Engineer Mountain and look into the Weminuche Wilderness. The Benchmark is a short distance further and worth the jaunt, shown.

 
The Burro Mountain Benchmark, Point 11,553', feels more like a true summit with a circular panorama. Arrive at 1.6 miles.  (Elizabeth Butler, photo)

The Benchmark was placed by the Department of Agriculture in 1958.

Burro's raw-boned and snow-clad West Block neighbors are south: Sharkstooth and Centennial Peaks, Lavender Peak, Hesperus Mountain, and Helmet Peak. (THW, photo)

The easiest way to return is to retrace your steps.Otherwise, try one of these options.

South Loop
Walk down the northwest ridge for 0.1 mile.

Drop 400 feet southwest down a steep slope taking aim off Sleeping Ute Mountain.

As the pitch levels out, walk south and then southeast along the base of mountain, shown. Turn east upon reaching FSR 350 at approximately 3.1 miles, 10,800 feet. The road ascends gradually back to Windy Gap at 3.7 miles.

North Loop
From the Benchmark, pick you way northwest down the rock glacier. The talus has not completely settled and rock is on the move. A thin shale layer provides momentary relief.

We crossed a saddle at 1.9 miles, elevation 11,180 feet. After another 0.2 mile, we grew weary of the rolling stone and headed east toward treeline.

 Heart leaf arnica was growing in the shade of the forest. (THW, photo)

We simply walked among the trees beside the talus field. Navigation is not critical--so long as you walk north or east you will intersect the road. We reached FSR 561 at 2.4 miles, elevation 10,760 feet. (THW, photo)

The Aspen Loop Trail rolls through a pretty forest. We saw no other people or vehicles.

We walked through the Burro Fire zone but the burn was scattered and many trees were left unscathed. All along are fabulous views of the north face of Burro Mountain. The road descends gradually to 10,600 feet and then climbs effortlessly back to Windy Gap at 5.0 miles. The North Loop has more drama and wide-open vistas than the forested South Loop. (THW, photo)