Shafer trail was cool. Some subscription websites listed below can be . Most AWD SUVs will do just fine on this road, as long as it is not wet or snow-covered. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". We descended the trail in our Yukon XL. In 1917, Sog Shafer widened the trail and used it to move cattle through the Island in the Sky area. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. I do have to admit the trail going down was steep, and the switchbacks were tight, getting down over the mountain into the bottom. Most definitely. I would NOT do this in a car. Many other trails at Island in the Sky also bear names for the families who worked them. This route starts in Canyonlands and ends in Moab. For the full list, check out our Canyonlands Travel Guide. 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. Shafer Trail (Canyonlands National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Check theweather reportbefore starting your trip andcurrent road conditionsbefore heading out. It only took us 41/2 hours, and I never got out of two wheel drive. It was a little scary, I'm not going to lie. Take your time here and scan the road for oncoming cars. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. This photo was taken at the top of Shafer Canyon Road, about one mile before starting down the Shafer Trail switchbacks. Geologically, this is the layer of rock that sits right below . Learn more about Utah in our Utah Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. After watching the videos she said no way. What changed her mind was when we saw the trail from the Shafer Canyon overlook in Canyonlands. The views are amazing, and we enjoyed exploring this less-visited trail in Moab. You have scenery, the interesting photo op presented at Tea Kettle Junction, and . Once you pass the Potash Ponds, you will shortly meet back up with the UT-279 that will take you back towards Moab. The White Rim Road was constructed in the 1950's by the Atomic Energy Commission to gain access to the uranium deposits in this area. Hardly anyone on the road until the end when reaching Moab. Two way traffic on about a 20-foot wide track? We cringed to see a number of passenger type vehicles traveling on it and observed lots of paint scrapes on Rocky sections. Check theweather report before starting your trip andcurrent road conditions before heading out. Not at all technical but use Low 4 Wheel at least thru the switchbacks. You know that stomach dropping, regret-filled feeling you get when youre strapped into a roller coaster, wondering why you decided to do this and theres no turning back, but you know its going to be fine and over before you know it? I think the 8 hr time is based on hiking, not driving. Originally built to transport ore, you should not attempt to travel this road in severe conditions. It is also a good idea to check the weather before starting. Turn right onto the gravel road. Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts, An incredible ride, not for the faint of heart. Once we made it to the bottom of the canyon alive we totally enjoyed the trail. 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. Little did I imagine we'd end up on this trail in a Dodge Ram!!! 4 0 obj The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim . Dont forget if you are going on White Rim Road, you need to purchase a permit at recreation.gov or at the Visitor Center. The one he had been experiencing for the past however many miles on our way down the canyon on Shafer Trail. [Steve Swanke, RISKY] It takes roughly 2 hours to do this drive. The most thrilling part of the drive. You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. The Shafer Trail Road is a great trail for all skill levels and families. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. 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. 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. 2018-2023 CS Ginger. Dont think the dogs cared to much for it. Take it slow and enjoy the views! Pets may be transported inside vehicles only. some areas require 4x4 but we saw cars on the road. This is a must drive if you have a high clearance, 4 wheel drive vehicle. Total Distance: 39 miles Length of Time: 2 hours. I started at the bottom to too and highly suggest that way over top to bottom. A gem of day is ahead !!! We drove the backway from Potash Road. Thanks for this AMAZING account that basically leaves nothing unclear! Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. Epic trail!! Or Dead Horse State Park? There are no vehicle length restrictions for the Shafer Canyon Raod and I just re-checked the NPS website. 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. Amazing views! However, if you plan to include the White Rim Road, you must have a permit to drive the White Rim Road. Here are photos taken from Thelma and Louise Point. We recommend if you do it to start at the top and go down but it would be best to check at the Canyonland Visitor center with one of the rangers and get their input. We hope you find this guide helpful on your road trip. We got into the bottom and the road was like a hi-way, wide, gravel road. The White Rim Trail and the Shafer Trail follow the same trail down the Shafer Switchbacks. Too down in an AWD Chevy Equinox and had no issues. Thank you! Took us 1h45 from Canyonlands back to Moab with a couple of stops for pictures. All the same, I did see some all wheel drive cars on the trail doing just fine. For more information on driving the Shafer Trail, check out the Scenic Drives section under Things to Do. Breathtaking views - well worth combining with Potash Rd. You can either start by entering through Canyonlands National Park, or you can start by taking the Potash Road in Moab, Utah. While we never bottomed out, one of us had to get out on several occasions to scout the road ahead for the best path. She was already getting a death grip on what ever she could grab. Pretty moderate drive, nothing technical. A few larger steps that required a slower crawl but really nothing that a decent ground clearance cant handle. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. You will know when you are no longer underneath the Dead Horse Point State Park when the Shafer Trail begins to go away from the Colorado River. Combining the White Rim Trail and this trail is a great option. The Shafer Trail in Canyonlands was named for the Shafer family. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. Learn more about the White Rim Road in these three posts: Before you go, check road conditions on the National Park Service website. You have to have a permit to travel on White Rim Road. If you chose to make the short add on to Goosenecks overlook off the White Rim Road, you WILL need a permit which is easy to get at the visitors center. Make sure your vehicle falls within these guidelines before you go. If you do the whole trail, which means you travel the Potash Road to Shafer Trail into the Canyonlands National Park or vis versa, you will see great Indian petroglyphs, Jug Arch, and the Poison Mesa Spider area. The Shafer Canyon Road is what you will turn on after you pass the entrance station in Canyonlands National Park. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Shafer Trail or Shafer Canyon Road? The Shafer Trail is safe but can become unsafe if driven during times of inclement weather. Tip 4: Even though Canyonlands National Park is not as popular as Arches National Park, it will still get busy. How Can I Add on the White Rim Road to this Drive? Photos (1,008) Directions. Da sich der Weg bestens zum Mountainbiken und Fahren mit Aussicht eignet, bist du selten allein unterwegs und wirst whrend deines Ausflugs auch auf andere Abenteurer treffen. It's narrow but nothing too crazy. Seatbelts are required on all roads. We never would have made it out without the help of a plant worker!! Myself, growing up 4wheeling and driving the back woods, and wherever else I could go, I consider myself a good 4wheeling driver. Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Arches and Canyonlands 4X4 Adventure from Moab. Unbelievable and amazing views if the Colorado! Truth be told, I"d do both again knowing now what I didnt' know then when we started out. The Shafer Trail, WOW!!! As you follow that trail, it will enter into the Canyonlands National Park, and you will end in the Island of the Sky District in Canyonlands, just a short distance inside the park from the entrance station. Part of the trail had flooded and washed away!! However, it does intersect with the White Rim Road, and the White Rim Road does require a permit. I looked over and saw that the driver's side of the road had given way to a very steep drop-off, and also noticed that the road was narrowing. We have a jeep and 3 dogs. I've read other reviews that say starting from the bottom and working your way up is the way to go. This is a Jeep/4x4 trail t. ! Overall, it was a must do!! 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. After reading the reviews, I couldn't decide if this road was doable or not!

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