Gallery: Hills and Emmett win Whole Enchilada enduro

With a full-color aspen backdrop, three riders make the two-mile, 1,000-vertical-foot climb to the top of Burro Pass. From Geyser Pass, 150 riders set out in mass starts for their categories. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Riders enjoy the rewards of the Burro Pass climb. From the pass, riders descended to Hazard County, Kokopelli Trail and UPS, LPS and Porcupine Rim. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

"Rad" Ross Schnell has been crucial to growth of enduro in the U.S. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Kris Baughman hoots as he rides through amazing desert color. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Kelli Emmett, winner of the women's race, presses on the same bike she was aboard when she won her U.S. marathon title.

“Whole Enchilada is an epic adventure on one of the best trails in the country. I can't wait to come back next year. There is really no other place in the world where you can start on pristine dirt in the high alpine and end in the desert, 7,000 feet later,” Emmett said. “I really think this is the adventure that racers are looking for these days. A unique experience on great trails! It reminds me of what mountain biking used to be.” Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Heather Irmiger gun show. Enduro racing is attracting world-class riders like Irmiger. The Whole Enchilada wrapped up the first year of the Big Mountain Enduro Series.

“From a promotional standpoint, this race provided logistical challenges unlike any other event we’ve put on," said Bigfoot Productions race director Keith Darner. "But based on rider feedback, the rewards were equally matched." Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

A rider drops a steep section of slickrock at bottom of UPS, with Castle Valley in background. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

The red rock desert country of Moab offers otherworldly landscapes. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Josh Carlson (Giant), overall champion of the Oregon Enduro Series, rips a dusty corner. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Velo magazine columnist Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski loves racing enduro and rides to fifth on the day. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Men’s winner Nate Hills gives it up for the camera.

“The hardest part of this race was finding the balance between riding as hard as you can, but not so hard that you destroy your bike,” Hills said. “This was a great way to wrap up the season to win on one of the most classic, world-renowned trails that is true to mountain biking.” Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Alex Bamberger drops a tough, rooty section of UPS. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Moab local Heidi Rentz knows these trails inside and out and uses her local knowledge to ride to third. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Bigfoot Productions race organizer Sarah Rawley grunts it up a big gear climb.

“This track is a true test of skill, fitness and being dialed as a racer,” said Rawley. “Keeping it together for nearly 21 miles of demanding terrain is no small feat, especially on a trail like Porcupine Rim, where tires are prone to flatting and knowing the trail is key.” Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com

Abigail Hippely wears a huge smile, a common look for many racers. Photo: Daniel Dunn | VeloNews.com