I was just at Canyonlands again in June 2011 and took some photos from an overlook of Shafer Trail and I still get weak-kneed when I think about riding down the canyon. Overtime, the use of Shafer transitioned from ranching to recreation. Then, spend the rest of the day visiting the overlooks and hiking the short trails in the park. Your choices are basically to run smack into the rock face or go over the edge with little room for error. Seems to me it is more condusive to mountainbiking than driving. At 13.3 miles down Potash Road to your right, you will see the Jug Handle Arch. You can take a RZR on part of the Shafer Trail, but you cannot take it on the entirety of the trail. For more information, please see, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Shafer Trail Closed The unpaved Shafer Trail road at Island in the Sky is closed due to winter conditions. Difficulty: Easy. Drove a stock Subaru Forester from Shafer down through Potash no problem on a sunny day. Was not as scary as I thought it would be. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Posion Spider, Golden Spike, and Gold Bar Rim OHV Trail, Cliffhanger Jeep Trail to Pothole Trail (Pothole Arch), Jackson to Amasa Back and Cliffhanger Trail, Long Canyon, Gold Bar Rim and Mag 7 MTB Loop. An incredible ride, not for the faint of heart - Review of Shafer Trail 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. Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. We also happened to be lucky enough to drive by a film crew from Paramount Pictures wrapping up for the day on the highway back to Moab (we speculated they were there to film Mission Impossible IV, but only time will tell I guess).All in all, a really great drive, great views, and a little bit of an adrenaline rush at times. We drove 2,5h by GMC Terain. there is plenty of room in those switchbacks to pass another fellow 4wheel. Saw a mule deer and her two babies. Below you will see a Google Map of the Shafer Trail. Took us 1h45 from Canyonlands back to Moab with a couple of stops for pictures. The first part of the drive, as you weave your way down the Shafer Canyon switchbacks, is the most hair-raising and thrilling part of the drive. Remember, unlike in the past, high-clearance, 4WD vehicles with low gear settings (4LO) are highly recommended to traverse this route. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Shafer Trail: 604 Reviews, 1,008 Photos, Map - Utah | AllTrails Amazing views! Moab Utah Off Road / 4x4 Trails: Shafer Trail - AllTrips 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. So much fun!! The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. We started at the top and had driven down to the bottom and I must say I have never been so scared in my life. The road turns away from the river once you pass what is called Thelma & Louise Point. The road down the side of the canyon was plenty wide enough and there are multiple areas to pull aside along the way down, even with the switchbacks. fun route! The view of Potash Road from Dead Horse Point State Park. Erkunde diese 31,5-Kilometer lange Strecke in der Nhe von Moab, Utah. Underpinning the description with photos at frequent intervals of the drive provides a clear insight into road conditions, which is always very helpful at least I am of the sort who want to see the road surface before venturing out. Death grip doesn't come close. With one day, you can drive Shafer Canyon Road, a portion of the White Rim Road, and then return to Moab via Potash Road. ATVs, OHVs, or UTVs are not permitted inside the park. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? You can obtain this permit online or at the visitor center. In 1916 the Shafer family used the trail as a cattle trail to move cows from the summer and winter pastures. The switchback is the easiest part of the road as it is in very good condition, the rest of the road is trickier but nothing impassable. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the persons disability. This is another nice overlook. If youre in the Moab area and you are okay with some puckering at the beginning, its so worth it. We used Canyonlands Jeep Rentals and had an awesome experience. 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 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. The Shafer Trail in Utah is the perfect way to experience Canyonland National Park, and we have written about all the highlights of this trip, including the Shafer Trail Switchbacks, overlooks, and how to get there. 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. Do not recommend! Total Distance: 39 miles Length of Time: 2 hours. 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. Every muscle in my body was sore afterwards from clenching my muscles and I literally cried. 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. Required fields are marked *. +8M*= g3vM(ljlu* Breathtaking views - well worth combining with Potash Rd. A bit before the White Rim Rd you take the left into the Potash Rd. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. The National Park Service recommends that you drive a high-clearance 4WD vehicle on Shafer Canyon Road. Click here to learn more. Shafer Canyon Viewpoint Trail Canyonlands National Park We descended the trail in our Yukon XL. *8]YKE$e?6[c`dq;dDUt+). 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. At one point the right rear wheel was airborne! However, the views are amazing. 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. Started at Canyonlands and went down into canyon. Yes, it is a bit steep at the top on the switchbacks. I think the 8 hr time is based on hiking, not driving. The overlook is pretty cool. We hope you find this guide helpful on your road trip. Nothing too challenging (in a 2021 Jeep Rubicon with 35 tires), however, I would not consider doing this in a stock or low clearance vehicle. ZDxOTT(/njO"F@QN/>E- avk;/s>v_85=hS/nG&! This road runs along the Colorado River. Hi, I am returning to Canyonlands in September 2018. 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. Insane views!!!! Dont forget if you are going on White Rim Road, you need to purchase a permit at recreation.gov or at the Visitor Center. This is a Jeep/4x4 trail t. At Mile 17, the road becomes Shafer Basin road. Not for two-wheel-drive sedans, but rather 4WD or AWD, this narrow thread of road leads to the fabled land of moving rocks in the heart of Death Valley. Its a very cool drive!! The photos of the trail (and looking at it on Google Earth) made it look quite scary, however after watching the drive real time on YouTube it seemed very doable. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Youre welcome! From here, you look out over the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and Dead Horse Point State Park. Cattle trail which can be used by sport vehicles. 2 0 obj Canyonlands can especially get busy once Arches closes. There is a vault toilet at the intersection of the White Rim Road and the Shafer Trail. 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. First view of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim . The Shafer Trail is an incredible trail that leads down to the bottom of Canyonlands National Park. Red Wing is home of Red Wing Shoes, the Riedell Ice and Roller Skates and Red Wing Stoneware. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Trail was amazing!! 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. Its not really my thing to be jostled around but the views made it worth it. 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. From here the Shafer Canyon Road, also known as the Shafer Trail, begins to climb gradually, offering exceptional views over the entire valley. Travel 38.3K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.7K 234K views 4 years ago CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK In this segment of. Visit our park website for more information on road conditions and safe driving. How Can I Add on the White Rim Road to this Drive? I've stood over Niagara Falls, right on the edge, done the Gondolla up and down Jasper Mountain, heights hadn't been a problem before this "ride". Going left will continue on the Shafer Trail, and going straight will put you onto the White Rim Road. Take your time here and scan the road for oncoming cars. 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. 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. In fact I told my wife there doesn't look like there is a road out of here. In the same parking lot, there are the Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs Trail. Overall, it was a must do!! Check theweather report before starting your trip andcurrent road conditions before heading out. 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. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. As the Shafer Trail starts to distance itself from the Colorado River, you will pass by the Potash Ponds. 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. 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. Myself, growing up 4wheeling and driving the back woods, and wherever else I could go, I consider myself a good 4wheeling driver. .=PAdK+1k.F0DKRk&*q,^5`uAquAu5Ahc"MJ.H^i_BdO>x($+GKAuLXXr3R*"!BO>vepCPC[H-eXLw_ s`ooq2gq ;p|2 rQnnQd#VbY,+aWpJ!z4@sm~KHPC%#lsWb,ee'9g?*Bt10`ChXf^*ZFI]e-zaX}'Kb^0` For more details on how to plan your time in Canyonlands, read our post One Perfect Day in Canyonlands National Park. ]J [,;9CoOUJRJbTiI4wYv*s8D4@K ]Sz%X7R7N-FHjkZ)}qX&iJqt"\"r:,_/XNgn^aQ\3xUTA4X6}e:9'~+R?&yMz)cGjh4-^&8JWy) ;pZTa`=Jpx*]e3/de@5'*\2BQa-ak'fI%XX tUP$lYL1/+Z^[JLUXg`*_$lT JUST DO IT! I've never been so glad to get to the bottom of something in my life. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/fees.htm, Bureau of Land Management: Moab Field Office. Thats the best view, from the drivers side. Have a great trip to Canyonlands! Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Then all of a sudden, my husband (who is very very afraid of heights), clenched the steering wheel and gritted his teeth. Once at the bottom, the tough part starts. The scariest thing Ive ever done! Past Thelma and Louise Point, the road heads away from the Colorado River and then goes past the Potash evaporation ponds. A short distance past Corona Arch (0.5 miles), you will find a small parking area for a trail that will take you to another arch called Jeep Arch. 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. Great views!!! My husband loves it. Worked in perfectly for us after a quick trip to Mesa Arch. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, the entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is included. Ive got a full stock Nissan Titan XD with BFG KO2s and it was a pretty easy trail. Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts, An incredible ride, not for the faint of heart. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Rivian only used 10 miles of range the entire way down! Geologically, this is the layer of rock that sits right below . Just past the Petroglyphs around mile 5.8, you will run into the parking lot for the Poison Spider Mesa off-road trail. 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. Then it started raining which made things even scarier. Learn more about Utah in our Utah Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. It is also a good idea to check the weather before starting. Do you need to book in advance to visit Shafer Trail? The trickiest part for us was near the upper end of the Potash evaporation pools. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. However, the mines produced very little uranium and were soon abandoned. You will also encounter a few smaller rock ledges. Once we made it to the bottom of the canyon alive we totally enjoyed the trail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If I had to do Shafer Trail again i would save myself from the drenching sweat from the pure adrenaline rush and just follow Thelma and Louise's lead and go over the cliff early. Can any length of this trail be safely driven out and back on a regular clearance 2WD? You can travel the Shafer Road from Potash Road and drive until you get to the White Rim Road and Shafer Trail intersection. The first highlighted stop is the roadside petroglyphs. There is a vault toilet at this point if someone needs to use the restroom. We drove the backway from Potash Road. We drove it terrifying but breathtaking if you like heights! At this point, you will start to be directly beneath the Dead Horse Point State Park. Tammy Daybell's death was a homicide . The most thrilling part of the drive. 4/28/2023. You will travel this road for about 2.5 miles until you start into the Shafer Switchbacks. Do your research well!! %f:qQ;ri>{FBV5B2NWr)dfh=7`bF1[c"\n?_sW|k.\"?8?9rxEpOSaF\ yO-}q+Rk&:soR$D*pVk:{7PQk2__5NCxb@yGJp|Um3ia/f.1{?~q{lok{Ac+l7jl4g ArC+/t/; ?BprFtW![b1ia!T?&&-8[5r$F[BzvlD+1I`;y|fX @Lw-xV4aSt Combining the White Rim Trail and this trail is a great option. Pass the Xanax and close your eyes. Beautiful drive in a stock Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4. 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. Our website uses cookies. We have everything you need to know below. Utah-279 ends at Highway 191. Then you get to the fork in the road and see the sign for the visitor center and you make the mistake of assuming the road would be somewhat good. Not really technical but if you want to continue via Potash Road, you'll need high clearance. We are familiar with driving on remote, dirt roads, but want to know: We will be driving a 4-WD long bed pickup with a length of 21 ft. Will this be o.k. We cringed to see a number of passenger type vehicles traveling on it and observed lots of paint scrapes on Rocky sections. We went top to bottom. 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. So we took off headed for the visitor center noticing the beautiful river and at the same time trying to figure how we were going to get out of the canyon since there didn't seem to be anyway out and we were looking at sheer cliff walls.
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