It's a trail, not a road and has no guardrails. 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. Do you like the idea of venturing away from the crowds and driving through some truly dramatic landscapes? Every now and then I would try to look out down into the canyon just to try to overcome my fears and experience the views. The 2022 edition of Maple Weekend runs March 19 and 20 and March 26 and 27. It was a little scary, I'm not going to lie. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The first highlighted stop is the roadside petroglyphs. On our first day, we covered 70 miles of the road, camping at the Airport Campground. It is best to touch base with the Visitor Center to ensure there is nothing you should be aware of before starting your trip. Thank you! I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. The road gets its name because it traverses the top of White Rim Sandstone. Have you seen photos of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and said to yourself, wow, Id really love to drive on that road? We got into the bottom and the road was like a hi-way, wide, gravel road. If you see an approaching car, pull over and allow them to pass. Potash road is fairly rough, limiting speed to 10 mph max. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will love driving Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road. Below are a few tips that can save you some money and make for a great trip. I am a 50+ female from the flatlands!We drove down from the top in a 4WD Toyota Forerunner. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. 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 were in a Nissan Frontier truck (4dr cab, 4-wheel drive) and at times my friend could not tell which way the trail went and we hoped we would not end up going over the sheer drop-offs. While we never bottomed out, one of us had to get out on several occasions to scout the road ahead for the best path. 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. At 22 feet long it would be difficult to find a place to turn around if needed. You can start or end at two different locations depending on where you want to end on the Shafer Trail. During the busy months, you can easily wait for an hour or more just to get into Canyonlands National Park or Arches National Park. 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. The view from the bottom is deffiently different than from the top. Incident Tally by Month - Grand County, Utah The Shafer Trail is named after the Shafer family, who were Mormon pioneer settlers. I recommend renting a vehicle for this drive. Highly recommend 4x4 off road car. This is a far less busy arch than Corona Arch, but it is a fun and underrated hike. Good to know. It was far more intense, rough and free form with lots of gully crossings and rock. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands is a great 44 trail. Buckle up! Pretty sure we suffered with acute stress for a few days when trying to go to bed having flashbacks. 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. The most thrilling part of the drive. 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. Be prepared.it does jostle the neck around a bit! It was the thrill of a lifetime. White Rim Road: Detailed Planning Guide and Checklist 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. Do I Need a Permit to Drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road? View from Shafer Canyon Overlook. 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. I preferred going down rather than up. Some subscription websites listed below can be . You can also join a guided tour. Total Distance: 39 miles Length of Time: 2 hours. Many backcountry roads in the Moab area used for recreation today were improved by the Atomic Energy Commission. JUST DO IT! ]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 To get back to Moab, drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road described above. We recommend booking Shafer Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Enjoy!!e. Originally built to transport ore, you should not attempt to travel this road in severe conditions. Check out this 18.3-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park is an off-roading experience and an incredible drive. With one day, you can drive Shafer Canyon Road, a portion of the White Rim Road, and then return to Moab via Potash Road. We drove the backway from Potash Road. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dont think the dogs cared to much for it. Went in 2020 and this has become a near death story telling experience we share with friends lol. Insane!!!!! The petroglyphs are close to a popular rock climbing area. Travel 38.3K subscribers Join Subscribe 2.7K 234K views 4 years ago CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK In this segment of. Seatbelts are required on all roads. 1 0 obj You have scenery, the interesting photo op presented at Tea Kettle Junction, and . Photos (1,008) Directions. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. If you still have time and energy left, this is another cool spot to add onto this drive. Try this 31.5-km point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. *8]YKE$e?6[c`dq;dDUt+). Did it going down the canyon along Potash Rd all the way to Moab (as we thought going up would be more difficult with tires spinning) and did not bottom out once. Shafer Trail is an awesome drive. Have fun driving Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road. Remember, unlike in the past, high-clearance, 4WD vehicles with low gear settings (4LO) are highly recommended to traverse this route. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Do make sure you check on the road conditions. If youre looking for other fun 44 trails in Moab, be sure to check out Fins and Things and Hells Revenge. This is a popular trail for mountain biking, off-road driving, and scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. 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. We drove 2,5h by GMC Terain. Not really technical but if you want to continue via Potash Road, you'll need high clearance. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. A short, but unpaved and uneven trail leads to a fenced viewing area. more, Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab. Cheers, Julie. You can see the first part of Shafer Canyon Road on top of the rim, just before the switchbacks. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. stream Its a very cool drive!! Thanks for this AMAZING account that basically leaves nothing unclear! If you take your RZR down Potash Road, you can go on the trail until you arrive at a very clearly marked sign that says you are entering the Canyonlands National Park and OHVs are not allowed. 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. Then all of a sudden, my husband (who is very very afraid of heights), clenched the steering wheel and gritted his teeth. From here the Shafer Canyon Road, also known as the Shafer Trail, begins to climb gradually, offering exceptional views over the entire valley. Little did I imagine we'd end up on this trail in a Dodge Ram!!! After you turn left onto the Shafer Trail (AKA Potash Road), you will descend and shortly cross a small river bed. Once past the Shafer Canyon switchbacks, the road levels out. Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road are two dirt roads that connect Canyonlands National Park with Moab. 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. Shafer Trail was originally used by Native Americans. 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. 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. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. From here, you can see Shafer Canyon Road, the White Rim Road, Potash Road, and Dead Horse Point State Park. 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. 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. I think just as beautiful though. The views are stunning the whole drive, and it's a nice way to break up some of the sight seeing and hiking as well. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 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. Amazing views. 3 0 obj Shafer Road Utah - most dangerous road in USA - YouTube Learn more about the White Rim Road in these three posts: Before you go, check road conditions on the National Park Service website. This section is a little more challenging as there are some small rock ledges you will drop down. Youre welcome. Your email address will not be published. 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. Definitely recommend it, as long as you are not afraid of heights and your vehicle has a high clearance. My husband insisted on the trail. Note: If you do not turn left, you will begin the drive the White Rim Road. Awesome! In Moab, there are numerous companies that will rent 4WD vehicles. Beautiful drive! Learn more about Utah in our Utah Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Started off at Canyonlands and went down into the valley and out Potash Road to Moab. Its a beautiful time to be in Utahwe even had a dusting of snow at Canyonlands on this visit just a few days before these photos were taken. We cringed to see a number of passenger type vehicles traveling on it and observed lots of paint scrapes on Rocky sections. For the full list, check out our Canyonlands Travel Guide. There is a vault toilet at the intersection of the White Rim Road and the Shafer Trail. Very few "shoulder" areas if 2 cars are trying to pass each other. I've never been so glad to get to the bottom of something in my life. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the persons disability. Damaged soils are prone to erosion and invasive species. All the same, I did see some all wheel drive cars on the trail doing just fine. They split shortly after getting to the bottom of the Shafer Switchbacks. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It was filmed right here, next to the Colorado River, just outside of Dead Horse Point State Park. Shafer Trail (Canyonlands National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. First view of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. However, we were really interested in driving Potash Road back to Moab. There are many places to pull over and allow oncoming traffic to pass. %PDF-1.5 Here is the Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road driving route in detail. 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. As we went thru the gate and headed doen the dirt road I told my girlfriend that this was'nt bad at all. You will also encounter a few smaller rock ledges. Distance: Approximately 18.2 miles. ATVs, OHVs, or UTVs are not permitted inside the park. This is not an overly challenging trail, but it is a fun trail. It is also a good idea to check the weather before starting. Below is a link for the full details on how to drive the White Rim Road in one day. Took us 1h45 from Canyonlands back to Moab with a couple of stops for pictures. Once you get to the intersection, you can go down White Rim Road until you want to return. go slow but why would you want to go fast anyway!? A little bumpy, but nothing to freak out over. This small roadside pullout is paved with enough space to accommodate a handful of cars. Respect For Canyonlands National Park - Wing-It Worldwide 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. I heartily disagree, because at least when you're going down the canyon, you can see what lies on the road ahead. Maple Weekend 2022: 140 Upstate NY sugar shacks to - newyorkupstate Drove a stock Subaru Forester from Shafer down through Potash no problem on a sunny day. Trailhead: Find the trailhead off Potash Road\Highway 279, about 16.5 miles from its junction with Highway 191. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Next was to convince my wife. We are here to show you that traveling as a family is not as hard as you might think. We kept hoping no one was coming up from the bottom because there was absolutely no way to pull over or back up. 4 0 obj This is because RZRs are not allowed to enter national parks. Then take the Potash Road and Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park later in the day. She was already getting a death grip on what ever she could grab. Here are photos taken from Thelma and Louise Point. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. There are some great overlooks of the Colorado River on the way and very few people. 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 was a super fun trail with amazing views. From here, you look out over the Shafer Canyon switchbacks 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. Looks like some of the rock overhangs are lowwill we have enough clearance? Once you reach Utah-279, the road is paved and feels delightfully smooth. For the first 2.5 miles, you drive just below the rim. Try this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near 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. 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 majority of people who drive on the Shafer Trail would not rate the Shafer Trial as scary. Average Time of Drive: 2 hours. Tip 3: Keep in mind that Canyonlands National Park is not as popular as Arches National Park. 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. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? The Corona Arch is a great hike and is highly recommended. Truth be told, I"d do both again knowing now what I didnt' know then when we started out. Canyonlands National Park Day Use Backcountry Permits - Recreation.gov As you follow the Shafer Basin Road past the Potash Ponds, the road will join up with Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. If you are a photographer, consider visiting Mesa Arch at sunrise, to capture the glimmer of the first rays of sun under the arch. This is a Jeep/4x4 trail t. Difficulty: Easy. Here you can see dinosaur tracks and more petroglyphs. <>>> With one day, you can drive Shafer Canyon Road, How to Drive the White Rim Road: Map, Photos & Driving Tips, White Rim Road: Detailed Guide & Planning Checklist, How to Drive the White Rim Road in One Day, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day, Hiking the Gooseberry Trail in Canyonlands National Park, Best Things to do in Island in the Sky: Canyonlands National Park. 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. 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. I personally do not think a 4WD is necessary, but high clearance is definitely a must to avoid damaging your vehicle. 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. You should be driving an all wheel or 4 wheel drive vehicle with decent ground clearance. Pets may be transported inside vehicles only. Just past the evaporation ponds your tires will hit paved road. However, like Shafer Canyon Road, a high-clearance AWD SUV should be sufficient. I've read other reviews that say starting from the bottom and working your way up is the way to go. Buckle up! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Trail was amazing!! 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 is open even in the winter months, making it a fun year-round trail. . qKHWHql2AH5iADn:jK ^T%Q]OhS'QoOIT]N f1HK{:AN You have to have a permit to travel on White Rim Road. If you are starting the Shafer Trail from Canyonlands National Park, you will travel N on US-191 N (N Main St) and then turn left onto UT-313. What a great road to explore on. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, the entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is included. We went out of service so sorry in advance for the trip length! [Steve Swanke, RISKY] 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! Not at all technical but use Low 4 Wheel at least thru the switchbacks. This is a very scenic area and a great section to stop and take pictures. Visit our park website for more information on road conditions and safe driving. Yes, the Shafer Trail is open year-round. Moderate 4.7 (604) Canyonlands National Park. Follow this road all the way till you drive on the 279. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Check theweather report before starting your trip andcurrent road conditions before heading out. There are portions of the route where one wrong may be disastrous, and tricky sections requiring three-point turns. Myself, growing up 4wheeling and driving the back woods, and wherever else I could go, I consider myself a good 4wheeling driver. It looks like you'd need a 4 wheel drive vehicle but it's. For more information on driving the Shafer Trail, check out the Scenic Drives section under Things to Do. Answered all of my questions. UTAH ITINERARY: In our Utah National Parks Road Trip Guide, we cover multiple ways to road trip through the national parks in Utah. The "trail" is not wide, actually you shouldn't take a big truck on there. No timelapse - No CutsShafer Trail Road-Shafer Canyon Road is a 18 miles dangerous dirt track located near Moab, in eastern Utah, in the western United State. We can laugh about it now but I dont think I would ever do that again. Shafer Canyon Road starts near the visitor center of Canyonlands National Park. 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. ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS: If you have limited time, learn how to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day and do this drive!. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. Very cool off drive instead of doing the scenic drive. Once you get below the rim, you will take Potash Road to Moab. Most people start in Canyonlands and end in Moab. 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. I would NOT do this in a car. more, #7 of 46 things to do in Canyonlands National Park. So much fun to drive! Shafer Trail. A few larger steps that required a slower crawl but really nothing that a decent ground clearance cant handle. Combining the White Rim Trail and this trail is a great option. Shafer Trail or Shafer Canyon Road? 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise, when they drove off of the cliff, was not filmed in the Grand Canyon. We attempted it a few hours after it had rained and ended up driving through over a foot of water and some deep mud!! I wouldnt do it again, nor recommend, but if youre a thrill seeker who likes living on the edge (literally) then youll love it! My friend and I had actually gone down this trail in June of 2008 (we were at Canyonlands again in June 2011). 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. 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. I would not want to drive my own vehicle on this road and put this kind of wear and tear on it. At Mile 8, you will arrive at the Gooseneck Overlook on the Shafer Trail. Rivian only used 10 miles of range the entire way down! Length 19.6 miElevation gain 3,106 ftRoute type Point to point. Once we made it to the bottom of the canyon alive we totally enjoyed the trail. How to Drive the White Rim Road: Map, Photos & Driving Tips We checked in at the visitors center, and the gentlemen told us it was a 9hour drive one way. The Shafer Trail Road is a great trail for all skill levels and families. Were good . The Shafer family were pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. 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). This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. As you follow the Shafer Basin Road past the Potash Ponds, the road will join up with Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. I think the 8 hr time is based on hiking, not driving. 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. 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. %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 But this adventure wouldn't be complete without ascending Shafer Trail to the top of the Island in the Sky. It may take longer depending on how frequently you stop for photos. Epic trail!! 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. more Needles District Road Closures All Needles district 4x4 roads and Elephant Hill Access Road are closed and impassable due to severe weather. Highly recommend the ride but would only use 4WD vehicles for the clearance and sometimes rocky road. It took us about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to do the whole thing with my husband's stock 2002 Ford Ranger, "Bessie II" (or "Elizabeth the Second" as I call her), who did a very good job when put into low 4X4. 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. Cars driving uphill have the right of way. It is a must!! 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. In 1916 the Shafer family used the trail as a cattle trail to move cows from the summer and winter pastures. Awesome and not as scary as I thought it would be! During the winter months, Shafer Canyon Road can close due to snowfall. It begins in Canyonlands and can be driven all the way through to Potash Road leading you back in the town of Moab. While driving this unpaved road remains difficult to this day, with the right gear and technology, it's possible to safely traverse the Shafer Trail. On the way, you will pass rock climbing sites and Corona Arch. Then, spend the rest of the day visiting the overlooks and hiking the short trails in the park. 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. You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. There were no muddy areasit was all a dry, dirt road with some rocky spots here and there. The Shafer Trail is named after the Shafer family, who were Mormon pioneer settlers. Make sure your vehicle falls within these guidelines before you go. At one point the right rear wheel was airborne! 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. Credit: NPS Photo, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. We used Canyonlands Jeep Rentals and had an awesome experience. Experience the Shafer Trail - National Park Service After that is was a fairly easy, though rough, drive back to the paved portion on Potash road. endobj The Shafer Trail is an incredible trail that leads down to the bottom of Canyonlands National Park. Insane views!!!! Shafer Canyon Road is a thrilling (scary) off road experience in UT