The Shafer Trail in Moab was later improved along with the White Rim Road by the Atomic Energy Commission, which used the trails to move uranium-rich bedrock into Moab to be processed. We are planning to visit in late June and drive Shafer to Potash. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. You can take a RZR on part of the Shafer Trail, but you cannot take it on the entirety of the trail. After that is was a fairly easy, though rough, drive back to the paved portion on Potash road. Learn more about the White Rim Road in these three posts: Before you go, check road conditions on the National Park Service website. For the full list, check out our Canyonlands Travel Guide. Awesome and not as scary as I thought it would be! Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. I personally would not, but it all depends on you of course. {-][BX^b1ae ].kmlmz +#pkuv Enjoy!!e. A short, but unpaved and uneven trail leads to a fenced viewing area. 83.0 Potash Road & Shafer Trail Road Junction Turning right onto Potash Road will take you back to Moab. I had a death-grip on the interior bar/handle in the truck (also known as an "OH MY GAWD!!!" From here the Shafer Canyon Road, also known as the Shafer Trail, begins to climb gradually, offering exceptional views over the entire valley. Or is it a road that goes to Potash and then back to Canyonlands? Do you like the idea of venturing away from the crowds and driving through some truly dramatic landscapes? Highly recommend this trip, lots of fun, but BE AWARE Potash Rd is NO JOKE! Welcome to CS Ginger! We drove 2,5h by GMC Terain. If you want the best expansive views of the surrounding canyon lands, many people say the Dead Horse State Park has better views because it is higher above the river. On this route, you will drive the legendary Shafer Canyon switchbacks, pass below Dead Horse Point, get a close-up view of the Colorado River, and see a famous movie filming location, Thelma and Louise point. The Shafer Trail may take several months to repair and will remain closed until repairs are done. there is plenty of room in those switchbacks to pass another fellow 4wheel. The Shafer Trail is safe but can become unsafe if driven during times of inclement weather. Depending on the source, you will see this road referred to by two different names. At 13.3 miles down Potash Road to your right, you will see the Jug Handle Arch. This was a nice way to end the day after doing 3 hikes at Canyonlands. This is known as a Gooseneck. Thanks for your reply, thanks for your great site !!! This is a must drive if you have a high clearance, 4 wheel drive vehicle. It is the county seat of Goodhue County. Will be there next sep. with a classic SUV (Ford escape or similar). Once we made it to the bottom of the canyon alive we totally enjoyed the trail. Canyonlands can especially get busy once Arches closes. This is an absolutely incredible trail to run! It's narrow but nothing too crazy. In this photo, you can see Potash Road as it runs along the Colorado River. Originally built to transport ore, you should not attempt to travel this road in severe conditions. I've read other reviews that say starting from the bottom and working your way up is the way to go. 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. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. I do have to admit the trail going down was steep, and the switchbacks were tight, getting down over the mountain into the bottom. Cheers, Julie, Hello, Laurent from France here. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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). Take the first left after passing the Island in the Sky entrance station. Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park: Address, Phone Number, Shafer Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. Here is a photo taken from Dead Horse Point. beautiful accessible 4x4 Rd, just need 6+" of clearance. 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. You have scenery, the interesting photo op presented at Tea Kettle Junction, and . We took this adventure on Thanksgiving week of 2009, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. My friend and I had actually gone down this trail in June of 2008 (we were at Canyonlands again in June 2011). endobj All the same, I did see some all wheel drive cars on the trail doing just fine. Cars driving uphill have the right of way. Make sure your vehicle falls within these guidelines before you go. Total Distance: 39 miles Length of Time: 2 hours. The view back up Shafer Canyon and the rim of the Island in the Sky mesa. Just put it in 4WD and low and let it go! 97% of travelers recommend this experience. In 1917, Sog Shafer widened the trail and used it to move cattle through the Island in the Sky area. We attempted it a few hours after it had rained and ended up driving through over a foot of water and some deep mud!! The views of the Colorado River are spectacular and the paved roads through the Canyon are very nice with canyon walls rising on one side and the river on the other.The views and thrill of adventure are definitely worth it. 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. This drive can be done in either direction. In fact I told my wife there doesn't look like there is a road out of here. The road gets its name because it traverses the top of White Rim Sandstone. How rough is the road? You will pass below Dead Horse Point. Very cool off drive instead of doing the scenic drive. 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 You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Literally cried, hands sweating buckets, and a death grip on the seat in front of me. Here is the Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road driving route in detail. Yes, the Shafer Trail is open year-round. <> The only people who will find the trail scary are those who are afraid of heights. 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. There are a few areas driving up narrow cliffs and hillsides. g[M.w.V6{*q|3'W35f rwrQfdrtk>e"M3EhsQ~6\2kP=w\ 2ADnH9 qkE?yNp0g=6 t&di) '*X(bsGY20E3O 7&pc6+81;ui{K{_5h}8}\s $M`(V{K3\VNKvzsb21dZ\sKUm_ This was a super fun trail with amazing views. Can any length of this trail be safely driven out and back on a regular clearance 2WD? The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. If people cannot get into Arches, they will go into Canyonlands, making for a long wait at the entrance station. 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. During the busy months, you can easily wait for an hour or more just to get into Canyonlands National Park or Arches National Park. Check out this 18.3-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. If you only have one day in Moab, visit Canyonlands in the morning, drive Shafer Canyon and Potash Road midday, and spend the afternoon in Arches National Park. Now, you are below the rim but the views are still pretty awesome. For the rest of the ride down. We drove the Shafer Trail in a jeep we rented from Moab Adventure Center and had an amazing time. Any road in Moab that is not a paved road can be difficult to traverse in the rain. 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. Visit our park website for more information on road conditions and safe driving. Make sure you have enough gas, probably a good idea to have some food and water (just in case) and prepare for no cell service. Shafer Trail is an awesome drive. I think just as beautiful though. You do need to pay attention when driving the trail because there is two-way traffic, and at times, you may need to pull over at a pull-out to let other vehicles pass. A road that humbles the wildest of egos. I suggest come clearance on your vehicle for some parts. From here, you can see Shafer Canyon Road, the White Rim Road, Potash Road, and Dead Horse Point State Park. 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. Beautiful drive! All stock. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". 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. We were definitely unprepared and did not know what we were getting into. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Amazing views. Difficulty: Easy. Past Thelma and Louise Point, the road heads away from the Colorado River and then goes past the Potash evaporation ponds. 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. 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. Travel 38.3K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.7K 234K views 4 years ago CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK In this segment of. Few obstacles. Here are photos taken from Thelma and Louise Point. Seatbelts are required on all roads. 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. The Shafer Canyon Switchbacks are an amazing experience. My husband insisted on the trail. It looks like you'd need a 4 wheel drive vehicle but it's. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? Shafer Trail 237 Reviews #7 of 46 things to do in Canyonlands National Park Outdoor Activities, Nature & Parks, Hiking Trails Canyonlands National Park, UT Save Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab 651 Book in advance from $189.39 per adult Check availability View full product details retired111 Gratis, Ohio 38 104 Never again! Two way traffic on about a 20-foot wide track? They are steep, and it is recommended to travel them in 4 low. Seatbelts are required on all roads. After reading the reviews, I couldn't decide if this road was doable or not! Dont forget to check out the White Rim area while you are there. What an awesome ride. By the time we realized it there was no turning back (literally). 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. Since I was oblivious to the true nature of the drop-off, I thought it was cool, and made him stop so I could take some pictures. We have 4X4 truck camper, 12'6" tall,22ft long, 15,000lbs. I personally do not think a 4WD is necessary, but high clearance is definitely a must to avoid damaging your vehicle. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/fees.htm, Bureau of Land Management: Moab Field Office. Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road are much wider and in much better condition than the White Rim Road. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. I think the 8 hr time is based on hiking, not driving. Combining the White Rim Trail and this trail is a great option. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. I suppose this would be a great trail for those who have nerves of steel and love adventure but this is just a bit too much, in my opinion. Moderate 4.7 (604) Canyonlands National Park. ! This is not an overly challenging trail, but it is a fun trail. Uphill traffic has the right-of-way. Use berms and pull-outs to allow uphill traffic to pass safely. A little bumpy, but nothing to freak out over. 3 0 obj You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. Worked in perfectly for us after a quick trip to Mesa Arch. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. We cringed to see a number of passenger type vehicles traveling on it and observed lots of paint scrapes on Rocky sections. Here you can see dinosaur tracks and more petroglyphs. For a cool view, turn around and look up at the rim. Insane views!!!! 17 miles of this road is unpaved. A high-clearance vehicle with 4WD is also recommended for Potash Road. The Shafer Canyon Road is what you will turn on after you pass the entrance station in Canyonlands National Park. What a great summary of the route. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road are two dirt roads that connect Canyonlands National Park with Moab. Winding "road of death" in Canyonlands National Parkthe Shafer Trail. I hope you have a great trip to Moab and Utah. Many other trails at Island in the Sky also bear names for the families who worked them. Do I Need a Permit to Drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road? Tip 5: Park closures can be found on their Twitter accounts. Geologically, this is the layer of rock that sits right below . We are an every day family prioritizing experiences and memories. Then it started raining which made things even scarier. Awesome! High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are strongly recommended. The Road was so Steep, My Wife Jumped out of the Truck! 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. 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. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? You do not nearly scrape the wall or totter on the edge of oblivion. The National Park Service recommends that you drive a high-clearance 4WD vehicle on Shafer Canyon Road. Drive the Shafer Trail -Canyonlands Island in the Sky to Moab- The West is Big! Some subscription websites listed below can be . Do make sure you check on the road conditions. Good to know. If you are afraid of heights, you may have some anxiety because of the switchbacks and when driving by the Colorado River because there are some steep drop-offs. I recommend a trip to Dead Horse State Park and you will be able to see Potash road from the Colorado River to the evaporation pools from 2000 ft up. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. We also did it a few days before Memorial Day, so we didn't have any contentious weather, and we also came across many other people on the trail as well.It started off as a very nice ride. 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. Tammy Daybell's death was a homicide . Went in 2020 and this has become a near death story telling experience we share with friends lol. 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. The hike to Corona Arch is 2.5 miles round trip and gets great reviews. Were good . 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. It is also quite wide, at least compared to the White Rim Road. Hello Markus. On the way, you will pass rock climbing sites and Corona Arch. We checked in at the visitors center, and the gentlemen told us it was a 9hour drive one way. You will travel this road for about 2.5 miles until you start into the Shafer Switchbacks. If you are a photographer, consider visiting Mesa Arch at sunrise, to capture the glimmer of the first rays of sun under the arch. You have to have a permit to travel on White Rim Road. 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.
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