Overtime, the use of Shafer transitioned from ranching to recreation. The 2022 edition of Maple Weekend runs March 19 and 20 and March 26 and 27. Just take it slow.Once down, you still need to be in 4 wheel drive as the road can get quite bumpy and there are still a lot of places that require it for navigation. They are steep, and it is recommended to travel them in 4 low. We plan to visit Canyonlands as part of our Utah adventure in mid to late May. Good to know. Any road in Moab that is not a paved road can be difficult to traverse in the rain. Turn right and in a few minutes, you will be in Moab. Tammy Daybell's death was a homicide . The intersection is very easy to see. Then it is another great experience to drive down them in a 44 vehicle. [Steve Swanke, RISKY] Get an early start, arriving in Canyonlands at or just after sunrise. Just put it in 4WD and low and let it go! Potash Road is extremely rough. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Shortly after you pass the entrance fee station for Canyonlands National Park, you will see the trailhead for the Shafer Trail and the White Rim Trail on your left. All 3 of us were very scared. If you have a high-clearance SUV you should be fine for this drive, just as long as it is not wet or snow-covered. See all 4 Shafer Trail tours on Tripadvisor, Base Camp Adventure Lodge, King on the front porch, View all hotels near Shafer Trail on Tripadvisor, Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park, Canyonlands National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Hotels near Island In The Sky Visitor Center, Hotels near Salt Lake City Intl Airport (SLC), Motels near Salt Lake City Intl Airport (SLC), All things to do in Canyonlands National Park, Geologic Formations in Canyonlands National Park, National Parks in Canyonlands National Park, Biking Trails in Canyonlands National Park, Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park, Bodies of Water in Canyonlands National Park, Scenic Drives in Canyonlands National Park, Historic Sites in Canyonlands National Park, Historic Walking Areas in Canyonlands National Park, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Canyonlands National Park, Visitor Centers in Canyonlands National Park, Grand View Point Overlook: Tickets & Tours, Dead Horse Point State Park: Tickets & Tours, Island In The Sky Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours, Arsenal Football Club Emirates Stadium Tour, Small-Group Bayou Airboat Ride with Transport from New Orleans, Scenic 17-Mile Drive Tour - Self Drive Audio Guide from Monterey & Carmel. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts, An incredible ride, not for the faint of heart. So my girlfriend and I decided to get going and check this drive out. The view back up Shafer Canyon and the rim of the Island in the Sky mesa. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Quite a few side by sides & dirtbikes but pretty low volume of other vehicles. This photo was taken at the top of Shafer Canyon Road, about one mile before starting down the Shafer Trail switchbacks. From here, you look out over the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and Dead Horse Point State Park. 4/28/2023. Pretty moderate drive, nothing technical. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: While in Arches National Park, things to do include the Devils Garden Trail and a visit to Delicate Arch. The Shafer Trail at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is an iconic road that descends 1,500 feet (457 m) through a colorful, massive sandstone cliff. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. There are several viewpoints along this part of the road for jaw-dropping views. Here the road had several deeps ruts which required some tight maneuvering in our vehicle. Follow this road all the way till you drive on the 279. more Needles District Road Closures All Needles district 4x4 roads and Elephant Hill Access Road are closed and impassable due to severe weather. Seriously, we're talking about 180 degree switchbacks hanging off the ledge of the canyon, complete with hairpin turns, starting from probably a mile high. The road turns away from the river once you pass what is called Thelma & Louise Point. The majority of people who drive on the Shafer Trail would not rate the Shafer Trial as scary. Online Genealogy Records. Required fields are marked *. stream Breathtaking views - well worth combining with Potash Rd. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. The Shafer Trail in Moab, Utah is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in America. This was the sentence that came out of my mouth as my husband, an experienced 4-wheeler, made the tight, narrow hairpin turn that caused me to see the sheer drop now on my side of the truck. I can't describe the relief I felt once we made it to the bottom. Tony Boeckel: 1892 1924 31 years American baseball player car San Diego, California Cris Bolado: 1969 2017 47 years Filipino basketball player motorcycle Phnom Penh . Copyright All Rights Reserved. It begins in Canyonlands and can be driven all the way through to Potash Road leading you back in the town of Moab. About half way down there was an orange cone marking where some of the path had fallen away, which we thought was absurd because the whole trail seemed very hazardous to us. It is rated as a moderate trail, and on a scale of 1 to 10, would probably be rated as a 2 or 3 in terms of difficulty. You can travel the Shafer Road from Potash Road and drive until you get to the White Rim Road and Shafer Trail intersection. High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are strongly recommended. Driving the Shafer Trail is something that youll never forget, however, it is important to do it safely. You can also get updated conditions and advice by speaking to a park ranger in the visitor center. Tip 1: If you start the Shafer Trail from Potash Road, you do not have to wait for traffic to get into the Canyonlands National Park. We are an every day family prioritizing experiences and memories. I recommend visiting the Shafer Canyon Overlook before starting your drive. Tip 2: If there is rain in the forecast or if it has rained recently, make sure you call the visitor center to ensure the road has not closed. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". Definitely do not do without 4WD if it is wet/muddy though. Get the full list in our Best Things to Do in Arches guide. After we got to the top I asked her if we knew what we were headed to would she have done it and she had to admit she would and so would I. Definetly one of the cheapest adreneline rushes you'll ever have.bring some depends and you'll be fine. You should be driving an all wheel or 4 wheel drive vehicle with decent ground clearance. The times that my eyes weren't closed tight, I would just stare at the mountain wall next to the truck. +8M*= g3vM(ljlu* Perfect control. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The switchbacks are no joke but once those are behind you its pretty smooth sailing. First view of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. Watch for oncoming cars, since you'll need to pull over for on switchbacks; most parts on Shafer don't have room for 2 way traffic. The trail is open even in the winter months, making it a fun year-round trail. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy the views. After Canyonlands was established in 1964, ranchers were granted a ten-year extension of ranching in the park. endobj The Shafer Trail Canyon overlook is also known as the Shafer Trail Viewpoint. Drove this the first week of August after some rainy spells so I was worried about mud (I-70 was temporarily blocked with flash flooding when we came through the day before). BEST OF CANYONLANDS: Top experiences in Canyonlands includes visiting the Island in the Sky district, driving the White Rim Road, hiking in the Needles district, and hiking the Syncline Loop. Racetrack Road, Death Valley National Park. The Shafer Trail in Canyonlands was named for the Shafer family. Loved the route and plan to do it again sometime!! The final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise, when they drove off of the cliff, was not filmed in the Grand Canyon. Below is a link for the full details on how to drive the White Rim Road in one day. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. Trail Type: Point to Point. This is a far less busy arch than Corona Arch, but it is a fun and underrated hike. Literally cried, hands sweating buckets, and a death grip on the seat in front of me. The Corona Arch is a great hike and is highly recommended. I would NOT do this in a car. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim . USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? We wanted to do some 4-wheeling and were told about this trail at the visitor's center so we decided to give it a try. They split shortly after getting to the bottom of the Shafer Switchbacks. A high-clearance vehicle with 4WD is also recommended for Potash Road. Geologically, this is the layer of rock that sits right below . You can drive all the way to Moab!! When we did this, the weather was very dry, so as far as the dirtiest parts, the entire route from Shafer Canyon Road through Potash Road was about the same. Can I drive from Canyonlands all the way back to Moab? For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. If you want to visit both on the same day, visit Arches early. There are a lot of places to pull off at the bottom to take some really good pictures of the Colorado River and rock formations as well. An Analysis of Deaths in U.S. National Parks Posted October 20, 2022 in Safety On Sunday, October 4th, 2020, a 25-year-old-man fell to his death at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona. I will be there in May 2021! You can do this in different ways, and there is no exact right way to do it. Today, the Shafer Trail is a challenging, unpavedbackcountry road for recreational users seeking the experience of a lifetime. We drove the Shafer Trail in a jeep we rented from Moab Adventure Center and had an amazing time. Shafer Trail Road-Potash Road is the name of an iconic drive located on the east central edge of Utah, in the western United States. Dont think the dogs cared to much for it. On our first day, we covered 70 miles of the road, camping at the Airport Campground. This drive is a great way to add a little adventure to your visit to Canyonlands National Park. Buckle up! It takes roughly 2 hours to do this drive. Will be there next sep. with a classic SUV (Ford escape or similar). If you do the drive in this direction, it is a great way to end your visit to the Island in the Sky District. They stopped and chatted with us and asked if the roads were any better from the direction we had come from.we told them it was rough.but one look at the woman in the passenger seat should have given us a heads up that what was up ahead was some serious stuff.because her face was ashen white and she looked shell shocked. Thank you! Most AWD SUVs will do just fine on this road, as long as it is not wet or snow-covered. Very cool off drive instead of doing the scenic drive. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. At 22 feet long it would be difficult to find a place to turn around if needed. Highly recommend 4x4 off road car. All I could imagine was going box over hood all the way to the bottom when our truck slid on the icy surface of these "switchbacks" over the edge. Water in places. This small roadside pullout is paved with enough space to accommodate a handful of cars. What a great summary of the route. I recommend renting a vehicle for this drive. Did it in a rented Ford Taurus with 5.1" of ground clearance, so it is doable in a 2 wheel drive sedan if you have some testicular fortitude, are a good driver who knows where your tires are/understands how to approach rocks without bottoming out, and of course do not care about wear and tear on the vehicle. You just have to be observant when descending so if you see a vehicle coming up you can pick your spot to pull over and wait. Pretty sure we suffered with acute stress for a few days when trying to go to bed having flashbacks. Make sure your vehicle falls within these guidelines before you go. There are portions of the route where one wrong may be disastrous, and tricky sections requiring three-point turns. We were overcome with fear for the entire two hours it took (13 miles, sharp switchbacks, going 8/9 mph) and our mortality became real. After Canyonlands was established as a National Park in 1964, the Shafer Trail transitioned from a ranching and mining road to a route used primarily for recreation. During the busy months, you can easily wait for an hour or more just to get into Canyonlands National Park or Arches National Park. There are a few tight turns but you should be fine in your truck. Planning on driving Shafer Road summer 2019. Go from the bottom up. So, we drove back down the switchbacks and took Potash Road to Moab. ZDxOTT(/njO"F@QN/>E- avk;/s>v_85=hS/nG&! Few obstacles. After a few miles or so, suddenly, the very narrow hairpin turn that dropped into what I was sure was at least a 15% grade, caused me to see exactly what I had been missing. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Took us 1h45 from Canyonlands back to Moab with a couple of stops for pictures. Potash Road weaves down through a canyon and then runs right along the Colorado River. A short, 0.9 mi (1.4 km) drive past the Island in the Sky visitor center leads to a breathtaking view of the Shafer Trail. You dont need a highly modified rock crawler of any sort to drive it. ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS: If you have limited time, learn how to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day and do this drive!. Later when we were too committed to turn back that would be about 6 switchbacks later we flashed back on her face and understood what was up and regretted we didn't inquire about the road ahead of us when we had the chance. He also mentioned that we we would go by the place where Thelma and Louise go over the cliff in a car in the movie. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. Is there a risk driving from the park to Thelmas & louise and back to the park ? These are genealogy links to Sweden online databases and indexes that may include birth records, marriage records, death records, biographies, cemeteries, censuses, histories, immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, obituaries, or probate records. 17 miles of this road is unpaved. Photos (1,008) Directions. I heartily disagree, because at least when you're going down the canyon, you can see what lies on the road ahead. . On the way, you will pass rock climbing sites and Corona Arch. Quite a few mountain bikes and quad runners were on the trail. At this point, you will start to be directly beneath the Dead Horse Point State Park. Started off at Canyonlands and went down into the valley and out Potash Road to Moab. From here the Shafer Canyon Road, also known as the Shafer Trail, begins to climb gradually, offering exceptional views over the entire valley. All and all amazing! So much fun to drive! I would not attempt it as it is quite a dangerous road and quite challenging especially with a caravan I would only attempt it with a good 4 wheel drive, and it would be a challenge even for a 4WD especially in bad weather at night etc. She kept saying that it looked like the truck our Toyota Tundra off road package simply couldn't fit on the road and that she was sure we were going over the edge. Dont forget to check out the White Rim area while you are there. To do this, you must have a permit for the White Rim Road. This is because RZRs are not allowed to enter national parks. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I hope you have a great trip to Moab and Utah. Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab, Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Adventure from Moab, Arches and Canyonlands 4X4 Adventure from Moab, Immersive Canyonlands National Park All Day Hiking Experience, Canyonlands National Park White Rim Trail by 4WD, Sunset ATV Tour and Trail Experience in Hell's Revenge, Moab Combo: Colorado River Rafting and Canyonlands 4X4 Tour, Arches National Park 4x4 Adventure from Moab, Hell's Revenge 4x4 Off-Roading Tour from Moab, Day of Photography in Moab, Arches & Canyonlands, Discover Moab in A Day: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Pt, Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers, Thrilling Guided You-Drive Hells Revenge UTV Tour In Moab UT, Moab Stand Up Paddleboarding: Splish and Splash Tour, Flatwater Fun: Moab Stand Up Paddleboarding. A few larger steps that required a slower crawl but really nothing that a decent ground clearance cant handle. JUST DO IT! Island in the Sky: White Rim Road The 100-mile four-wheel drive White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Does it get me close? Shafer Trail. This is a very popular area for mountain biking and scenic driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. x][~p/{Ni7/}d;b-A,%dRHf=,Gj~b5U;}A?6b~5D;4pC~y8}7?/O>9=zK={I>Ok+z.;==Ph: Here you can see dinosaur tracks and more petroglyphs. My wife was so scared she kept asking me to stop because she thought she wanted to get out of the truck. Starting in 1916, John "Sog" Shafer, used this trail to move cattle from summer pastures on the mesa top to winter ground on the White Rim sandstone, several rock layers down into the canyon. As we went thru the gate and headed doen the dirt road I told my girlfriend that this was'nt bad at all. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. We were definitely unprepared and did not know what we were getting into. 2018-2023 CS Ginger. Cheers, Julie. some areas require 4x4 but we saw cars on the road. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. % It's narrow but nothing too crazy. Its function has changed through the years; from a route made by Native Americans to access resources on the mesa top, to a trail for sheep herders moving flocks to better foraging in winter time, and then a road for trucks moving loads of uranium from the backcountry to market. Said we needed 4wheel drive and high clearance. If you still have time and energy left, this is another cool spot to add onto this drive. We are planning to visit in late June and drive Shafer to Potash. On day 2, we finished the loop, ending with the drive up the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. Things get complicated after about 1-2 miles on the dirt road, when the steep hairpin bends start climbing the western side of the canyon all the way to the top. <> Then take the Potash Road and Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park later in the day. Stunning trip - adequate challenge for a dirt road beginner. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. What was actually a 1/2 day ride might as well have been an eternity because that is what it felt like. The sheer cliffs are exciting but not unsafe. It is also quite wide, at least compared to the White Rim Road. If you have any questions about this drive, or if you want to share your experience, you can do so in the comment section below. At 13.3 miles down Potash Road to your right, you will see the Jug Handle Arch. Its not really my thing to be jostled around but the views made it worth it. I refuse to do it again and I got nervous just watching the other vehicles that were on the trail. After reading the reviews, I couldn't decide if this road was doable or not! Past Thelma and Louise Point, the road heads away from the Colorado River and then goes past the Potash evaporation ponds. 83.0 Potash Road & Shafer Trail Road Junction Turning right onto Potash Road will take you back to Moab. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. We can laugh about it now but I dont think I would ever do that again. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. UTAH ITINERARY: In our Utah National Parks Road Trip Guide, we cover multiple ways to road trip through the national parks in Utah. This was a nice way to end the day after doing 3 hikes at Canyonlands. It is best to touch base with the Visitor Center to ensure there is nothing you should be aware of before starting your trip. Went in 2020 and this has become a near death story telling experience we share with friends lol. You can obtain this permit online or at the visitor center. Directions Starting in Canyonlands National Park Do your research well!! How rough is the road? For more details on how to plan your time in Canyonlands, read our post One Perfect Day in Canyonlands National Park. Some subscription websites listed below can be . If you are going down, you can take a peak ahead and see another vehicle coming and pull over in one of the many convenient pull-overs. Starting in 1916, John "Sog" Shafer, used this trail to move cattle from summer pastures on the mesa top to winter ground on the White Rim sandstone, several rock layers down into the canyon. Potash road is fairly rough, limiting speed to 10 mph max. There is one low overhang that could be a problem as well as one tight turn. Left image In order to drive the Potash Road and Shafer Trail, you need to have a high clearance 44 vehicle, and it is recommended that it has 4 low. For one, because the view was always in front of you and two, you didn't have to press the gas going up the switchbacks! View of the Shafer Canyon Switchbacks from Shafer Trail Viewpoint. This is where you can see the Colorado River making a 180-degree turn in the canyon. Beautiful views. There are some great overlooks of the Colorado River on the way and very few people. You will drive the White Rim Road out-and-back, since you do not have a permit and a campsite reservation to spend the night. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Connecting Canyonlands National Park with Moab, the Shafer Trail Road/Shafer Canyon Road is an 18-mile dirt track into eastern Utah, featuring American Indian petroglyphs and natural stone arches. In talking with my husband he said he wouldn't do it and we were driving a full size Yukon Denali. Canyonlands can especially get busy once Arches closes. At Mile 17, the road becomes Shafer Basin road. Can any length of this trail be safely driven out and back on a regular clearance 2WD? The Moab Giants is right on the corner of the intersection of US-191 and UT-313. Worked in perfectly for us after a quick trip to Mesa Arch. You will run into the Potash Road and the White Rim Road intersection at mile 5.2 if you set your odometer once you leave the pavement if starting in Canyonlands National Park. <>>> It is the county seat of Goodhue County. Take the first left after passing the Island in the Sky entrance station. Top ways to experience Shafer Trail and nearby attractions LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab 463 Recommended Adventure Tours from $189.39 per adult Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Adventure from Moab 286 Recommended Adventure Tours from $180.52 per adult Arches and Canyonlands 4X4 Adventure from Moab 59 things to do in Canyonlands National Park. I asked my wife why she was looking over the edge if she was so scared why not just close your eyes but she said she wanted to face her fear. You also must have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. I think interstate driving in some cities is much scarier than this.After you get through the switchbacks, the road levels out, relatively and turns into Potash. Youre welcome! We drove the White Rim Road in the counter-clockwise direction, starting on Mineral Bottom Road. Below are a few tips that can save you some money and make for a great trip. Each year, hundreds of visitors experience the thrill of driving down the winding sandstone cliff to the basin below. Shafer trail was cool. We went out of service so sorry in advance for the trip length! It is a great overlook that lets you see the Shafer Switchbacks that you will drive down when you do decide to go on the Shafer Trail. How Can I Add this on to My Visit to Canyonlands? This is a very scenic area and a great section to stop and take pictures. Expanding upon the work of Sog Shafer, the Atomic Energy Commission widened Shafer Trail and extended it to the White Rim Road to accommodate trucks moving loads of uranium-bearing rock from the backcountry and down to Moab for processing. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. At one point she did jump out of the truck and was convinced it would be easier to walk out..once she was on solid ground she did much better, but I did mention to her I thought the road would be better traveled on a donkey or llama. We kept hoping no one was coming up from the bottom because there was absolutely no way to pull over or back up. It was filmed right here, next to the Colorado River, just outside of Dead Horse Point State Park. Amazing views! I preferred going down rather than up. Definitely recommend it, as long as you are not afraid of heights and your vehicle has a high clearance. I came across this trail when doing research on the national parks for our trip to Moab. The Shafer Trail is named after the Shafer family, who were Mormon pioneer settlers. Murphy Trailhead scheduled to close March 21-23 You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The trickiest part for us was near the upper end of the Potash evaporation pools. View out towards Dead Horse Point State Park after the switchbacks. However, the views are amazing. Saw some bighorn sheep as we crossed through private property. Winding "road of death" in Canyonlands National Parkthe Shafer Trail. If theres only 2 of you and the passenger wants to video, my suggestion would be to sit behind the driver for the first 1/2. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. Looks like some of the rock overhangs are lowwill we have enough clearance? Stayed at a B & B in Moab and the owner said we just had to take the shafer trail road to canyonlands park and that it was the only way to go and I might add there was no mention of sheer cliff walls and adrenaline rushes. We recommend booking Shafer Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Once on the White Rim Road, you can go as far as Gooseberry campground or Monument Basin. Heres how to do it. To do this, you must have a permit. Erkunde diese 31,5-Kilometer lange Strecke in der Nhe von Moab, Utah. Youre welcome. When you do this, you will get to start at the Shafer Switchbacks, which are our favorite, but this can be risky because we have had to wait at the entrance station for a bit to get into the park. Thanks for your reply, thanks for your great site !!! The trail was later widened when prospectors began mining the area for uranium. Our Jeep. It was a little scary, I'm not going to lie. Shafer Trail (Canyonlands National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Its a very cool drive!! The Shafer Trail Viewpoint, located a little farther down the road, is spectacular, too. Once you get below the rim, you will take Potash Road to Moab.
Allison Cowley Omundson, Articles S