The trail starts with steep switchbacks, heading up under cliffs and avalanche chutes draining Cold Hill and the Telluride Ski Area. It then traverses across cliffs above waterfalls to a small basin, where it meets the East Fork Trail (#513). The Wasatch trail continues straight ahead up the basin, again switchbacking steeply into another small basin. At this point two old mining roads split off from the Wasatch trail, one heading for upper Lena Basin and Palmyra Peak and the other climbing up onto Cold Hill above the Telluride ski area. The Wasatch trail heads left across a small stream crossing of the West Fork of Bear Creek and up past some old mining ruins. It begins another short but steep climb, continuing up onto a broad shoulder below San Joaquin Peak. After traversing the shoulder to a creek crossing near a permanent snowfield, the trail again joins the East Fork Trail. Hikers already tired at this point can head back down the East Fork Trail towards Telluride to make a shorter loop. Otherwise, continue on up the Wasatch trail as it continues on up the East Fork Basin, climbing eventually to a saddle between Bear Creek and Bridalveil Creek. The broad shoulder of Wasatch Mountain stretches north from the saddle, with a ridge leading up to the San Miguel and San Juan county line and Lookout Peak to the south. From this point, hikers can continue down into Bridalveil Basin, following mining roads through mostly private property down towards the Bridalveil power plant. Please respect private landowners and stay on roads and trails. Just past the powerplant, the road turns a corner to the east and heads down steep switchbacks above Idarado mine to Highway 145, which leads back to Telluride.

Access: From S. Pine St. in the town of Telluride take Bear Creek Rd. #635 across the San Miguel River and follow it for 2 miles. This road crosses through private land for most of the first 2 miles. Look for a small trailhead sign above the road on the right at 2 miles. About 1/4 mile further the road ends near a large boulder and a waterfall.