Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. Pretty moderate drive, nothing technical. This is a rough road that eventually gives way to pavement. It was filmed right here, next to the Colorado River, just outside of Dead Horse Point State Park. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The entire drive, from Canyonlands National Park to Moab, is just under 40 miles. Looks like some of the rock overhangs are lowwill we have enough clearance? View of the Shafer Canyon Switchbacks from Shafer Trail Viewpoint. Sweden Online Genealogy Records FamilySearch 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. The only people who will find the trail scary are those who are afraid of heights. Shafer trail was cool. It was a little scary, I'm not going to lie. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. Even though you just did it, it is still somehow unbelievable that you just drove down that seemingly unsurmountable canyon wall. Credit: NPS Photo, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It is also quite wide, at least compared to the White Rim Road. Driving the long White Rim Road in the Canyonlands NP - dangerousroads.org 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. Insane!!!!! In talking with my husband he said he wouldn't do it and we were driving a full size Yukon Denali. JUST DO IT! It begins in Canyonlands and can be driven all the way through to Potash Road leading you back in the town of Moab. Trail was amazing!! Try this 31.5-km point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. 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. During inclement weather, the road can become impassable. 2 0 obj There are several viewpoints along this part of the road for jaw-dropping views. I personally do not think a 4WD is necessary, but high clearance is definitely a must to avoid damaging your vehicle. I've never been so glad to get to the bottom of something in my life. Please stay on the trail so as not to disturb biological soil crust. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. Try this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. Or Dead Horse State Park? for the Shafer Switchbacks? You can start at either end of the trail. Cheers, Julie. The road turns away from the river once you pass what is called Thelma & Louise Point. Do make sure you check on the road conditions. Thank you for the recommendation to go up hill (from Potash Rd to Canyon Land NP visitor center). Killer drive!!!! . On our first day, we covered 70 miles of the road, camping at the Airport Campground. 7:L :}flFSn?ZCW:z9i&U+ l| The road from potash looks like a typical 4 wheel adventure and there are lots of great scenes and things to see wonderful rock formations etc. The trail was later widened when prospectors began mining the area for uranium. Once you get past the ponds, it is a paved road to Moab. Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. Just make sure you give yourself at least an hour and a half of daylight, to get back onto paved road before sunset. We never felt unsafe or scared when driving the Shafer Trail. Once past the Shafer Canyon switchbacks, the road levels out. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. For the rest of the ride down. 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. *8]YKE$e?6[c`dq;dDUt+). 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. However, we were really interested in driving Potash Road back to Moab. I would NOT do this in a car. To do this, you must have a permit. 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. 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. The Shafer Trail road can be accessed by anyone in a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with a low range gear (4LO) (recommended). Thank you! Turn left onto Potash Road. 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. At 22 feet long it would be difficult to find a place to turn around if needed. Many backcountry roads in the Moab area used for recreation today were improved by the Atomic Energy Commission. Trailhead: Find the trailhead off Potash Road\Highway 279, about 16.5 miles from its junction with Highway 191. No, You do not need a Shafer Trail permit to drive on the road. ZDxOTT(/njO"F@QN/>E- avk;/s>v_85=hS/nG&! I think that the Shafer Canyon switchbacks look a lot more dangerous from the viewpoints than when you are actually driving on them. Maple Weekend 2022: 140 Upstate NY sugar shacks to - newyorkupstate fun route! Any road in Moab that is not a paved road can be difficult to traverse in the rain. Photos (1,008) Directions. Nearby you can also hike through Little Wild Horse slot canyon. The views from Canyonlands are wonderful but if you take the Shafer, you are so much closer to the canyons and can really get the perspective. 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. At one point the right rear wheel was airborne! If you want to visit both on the same day, visit Arches early. My husband insisted on the trail. We recommend booking Shafer Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Once you reach Utah-279, the road is paved and feels delightfully smooth. After that is was a fairly easy, though rough, drive back to the paved portion on Potash road. I don't like heights to begin with but never dreamed it would be this terrifying. The Shafer Trail difficulty rating is moderate because there are some steep switchbacks. The UT-313 will take you to Canyonlands National Park. I am dying to take the Shafer Canyon drive. White Rim Road: Detailed Planning Guide and Checklist Sheep herders run sheep along the canyon, c. 1966. Can I drive from Canyonlands all the way back to Moab?
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