Originally built to transport ore, you should not attempt to travel this road in severe conditions. Saw a mule deer and her two babies. Most AWD SUVs will do just fine on this road, as long as it is not wet or snow-covered. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Once you get below the rim, you will take Potash Road to Moab. This route starts in Canyonlands and ends in Moab. Will be there next sep. with a classic SUV (Ford escape or similar). Good to know. High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are strongly recommended. Driving the long White Rim Road in the Canyonlands NP - dangerousroads.org The times that my eyes weren't closed tight, I would just stare at the mountain wall next to the truck. It is best to touch base with the Visitor Center to ensure there is nothing you should be aware of before starting your trip. JUST DO IT! Canyonlands can especially get busy once Arches closes. The sheer cliffs are exciting but not unsafe. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thank you for the recommendation to go up hill (from Potash Rd to Canyon Land NP visitor center). Once you get past the ponds, it is a paved road to Moab. 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. Shafer Canyon Road starts one mile north of the Canyonlands Visitor Center on Island in the Sky Road. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. I preferred going down rather than up. Death grip doesn't come close. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Overtime, the use of Shafer transitioned from ranching to recreation. Potash Road weaves down through a canyon and then runs right along the Colorado River. Very good trail. In the corner of the 279 is a parking spot, you can hike to the Corona Arch Trailhead!! Can I drive from Canyonlands all the way back to Moab? The overlook is pretty cool. Winding "road of death" in Canyonlands National Parkthe Shafer Trail. We had to wait about an hour to get into Canyonlands one day. Highly recommend 4x4 off road car. ]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 Combining the White Rim Trail and this trail is a great option. We drove the backway from Potash Road. Then take the Potash Road and Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park later in the day. 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. Good eyewe did this in early November, around November 9 or 10 I believe. Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road are two dirt roads that connect Canyonlands National Park with Moab. 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. Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. Your choices are basically to run smack into the rock face or go over the edge with little room for error. The majority of people who drive on the Shafer Trail would not rate the Shafer Trial as scary. Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road: Driving Route, For more details on how to plan your time in Canyonlands, read our post. From here, it is a smooth, easy drive back to Moab. stream How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the driving route). 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_ Buckle up! 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. Hair-Raising Drives In The National Park System Go from the bottom up. 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. This is one of the most spectacular, scenic. Try this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. 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. You can either start by entering through Canyonlands National Park, or you can start by taking the Potash Road in Moab, Utah. <> this was at 2:30pm. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This is one of the fun Moab off road trails. Do you like the idea of venturing away from the crowds and driving through some truly dramatic landscapes? Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park: Address, Phone Number, Shafer Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. To get back to Moab, drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road described above. We never felt unsafe or scared when driving the Shafer Trail. 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. This is the stretch of road starting at the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and ending just past the Potash evaporation ponds. 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. You do not nearly scrape the wall or totter on the edge of oblivion. 7:L :}flFSn?ZCW:z9i&U+ l| Have you seen photos of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and said to yourself, wow, Id really love to drive on that road? 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? Stayed at a B & B in Moab and the owner said we just had to take the shafer trail road to canyonlands park and that it was the only way to go and I might add there was no mention of sheer cliff walls and adrenaline rushes. They are steep, and it is recommended to travel them in 4 low. 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. 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. Red Wing is home of Red Wing Shoes, the Riedell Ice and Roller Skates and Red Wing Stoneware. The view makes the whole ride worth it, both from the bottom and the top. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This is because RZRs are not allowed to enter national parks. UTAH ITINERARY: In our Utah National Parks Road Trip Guide, we cover multiple ways to road trip through the national parks in Utah. Uphill traffic has the right-of-way. Use berms and pull-outs to allow uphill traffic to pass safely. It was the thrill of a lifetime. .=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` Shafer Canyon Overlook is not actually on the Shafer Trail. 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 Shafer Trail Canyon overlook is also known as the Shafer Trail Viewpoint. Service animalsthat have been individually trained to perform specific task(s) for the benefit of an individual with a disability are allowed in the park. Our Jeep. It takes roughly 2 hours to do this drive. 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. 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 Cannon Valley Trail has its eastern terminus in Red Wing. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, the entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is included. The road is actually much wider than I expected. *8]YKE$e?6[c`dq;dDUt+). 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. Erkunde diese 31,5-Kilometer lange Strecke in der Nhe von Moab, Utah. Driving the Shafer Trail is something that youll never forget, however, it is important to do it safely. The UT-313 will take you to Canyonlands National Park. My husband loves it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Then, spend the rest of the day visiting the overlooks and hiking the short trails in the park. Today, the Shafer Trail is a challenging, unpavedbackcountry road for recreational users seeking the experience of a lifetime. You dont need a highly modified rock crawler of any sort to drive it. Incredible views of Shafer Canyon from up top. The view from the flat area was awesome and a great stop after doing 1/2 of the trail. To do this, you must have a permit. The most thrilling part of the drive. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Death Road is a lethal journey in the Bolivian Yungas region . For sections of this road, the surface is a rough, worn slickrock and when you drive over it, your entire vehicle will vibrate and rattle like crazy. I suggest come clearance on your vehicle for some parts. Boaks was injured in a minor road traffic crash while getting off a bus. This small roadside pullout is paved with enough space to accommodate a handful of cars. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. 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. Most Dangerous National Parks in the U.S. | Fatal Accident Statistics 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 83.0 Potash Road & Shafer Trail Road Junction Turning right onto Potash Road will take you back to Moab. You will run into the Potash Road and the White Rim Road intersection at mile 5.2 if you set your odometer once you leave the pavement if starting in Canyonlands National Park. We checked in at the visitors center, and the gentlemen told us it was a 9hour drive one way. 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. This is a Jeep/4x4 trail t. From here, you look out over the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and Dead Horse Point State Park. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. By the time we realized it there was no turning back (literally). For the full list, check out our Canyonlands Travel Guide. The Shafer Trail is an incredible trail that leads down to the bottom of Canyonlands National Park. We drove the Shafer Trail in a jeep we rented from Moab Adventure Center and had an amazing time. Difficulty: Easy. Am I Crazy?? SHAFER TRAIL in a CAR?| Canyonlands National Park | Shafer You can drive all the way to Moab!! USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? %PDF-1.5 The Shafer Canyon Switchbacks are an amazing experience. more, Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab. Theres one question I have: Which date did you take the pictures? Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts, An incredible ride, not for the faint of heart. The entire drive, from Canyonlands National Park to Moab, is just under 40 miles. Credit: NPS Photo, Right image What a great summary of the route. go slow but why would you want to go fast anyway!? The Potash Road will eventually turn into a dirt road that is the Shafer Trail. Very few "shoulder" areas if 2 cars are trying to pass each other. Does it get me close? For the first 2.5 miles, you drive just below the rim. I am dying to take the Shafer Canyon drive. Even though you just did it, it is still somehow unbelievable that you just drove down that seemingly unsurmountable canyon wall. Then it started raining which made things even scarier. 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. I refuse to do it again and I got nervous just watching the other vehicles that were on the trail. 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. Ranger Paul Downey was the Incident Commander. Thank you! The view back up Shafer Canyon and the rim of the Island in the Sky mesa. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Shafer Trail: 205 Reviews, 1,039 Photos, Map - Utah | AllTrails Backcountry driving conditions can change rapidly after rain or snow. On day 2, we finished the loop, ending with the drive up the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. Judging from the subtle fall foliage along the banks of the Colorado, I would estimate this at late October or early November. Be prepared.it does jostle the neck around a bit! I personally do not think a 4WD is necessary, but high clearance is definitely a must to avoid damaging your vehicle. If you want to visit both on the same day, visit Arches early. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. 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. In the same parking lot, there are the Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs Trail. Here the road had several deeps ruts which required some tight maneuvering in our vehicle. Here it is. We plan to visit Canyonlands as part of our Utah adventure in mid to late May. Once at the bottom, the tough part starts. A gem of day is ahead !!! The petroglyphs are close to a popular rock climbing area. Murphy Trailhead scheduled to close March 21-23 Red Wing, MN Map & Directions - MapQuest Said we needed 4wheel drive and high clearance. 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. Youre welcome! Shafer Road Utah - most dangerous road in USA - YouTube For more information on driving the Shafer Trail, check out the Scenic Drives section under Things to Do. We went top to bottom. Going left will continue on the Shafer Trail, and going straight will put you onto the White Rim Road. 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. There are some great overlooks of the Colorado River on the way and very few people. Truth be told, I"d do both again knowing now what I didnt' know then when we started out. endobj Details. Breathtaking views - well worth combining with Potash Rd. bar) and I had pretty much felt that my life was going to end that day. Photos (1,008) Directions. Shafer Trail, 1.007 Fotos - Utah | AllTrails Hi, I am returning to Canyonlands in September 2018. Tip 4: Even though Canyonlands National Park is not as popular as Arches National Park, it will still get busy. Average Time of Drive: 2 hours. We are here to show you that traveling as a family is not as hard as you might think. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. Below is a link for the full details on how to drive the White Rim Road in one day. If you do the drive in this direction, it is a great way to end your visit to the Island in the Sky District. The Shafer Trail in Moab, Utah is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in America. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Length 19.6 miElevation gain 3,106 ftRoute type Point to point. If youre looking for other fun 44 trails in Moab, be sure to check out Fins and Things and Hells Revenge. You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. A few larger steps that required a slower crawl but really nothing that a decent ground clearance cant handle. Now, you are below the rim but the views are still pretty awesome. You will travel this road for about 2.5 miles until you start into the Shafer Switchbacks. Heres how to do it. I have had a job that involved dangerous situations but this experience scared me to death more than my job ever did. I could've sworn to you that the drop-off was about a trillion feet down, so I said, "Okaaaaaaayyyyy, you might want to maybe hurry this up a little." I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. Shafer trail was cool. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". 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. more, #7 of 46 things to do in Canyonlands National Park. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. It was far more intense, rough and free form with lots of gully crossings and rock. Print/PDF map. After observing multiple vehicles going up and down the steep part (and no one plummeting to their death), she said ok, lets do it. We drove a 2021 Nissan Rogue AWD. How to Drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road | Moab, Utah My truck is a 2001 Dodge 2500 4whell drive. Make sure to check Twitter if you want to check if any of the parks have closed because of too many people. You can start at either end of the trail. Definitely recommend it, as long as you are not afraid of heights and your vehicle has a high clearance. ATVs, OHVs, or UTVs are not permitted inside the park. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Here are photos taken from Thelma and Louise Point. Just make sure you give yourself at least an hour and a half of daylight, to get back onto paved road before sunset. List of people who died in traffic collisions - Wikipedia Again, if it were my vehicle, true 4WD with 4 low to save your brakes. Quite a few side by sides & dirtbikes but pretty low volume of other vehicles. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It looks like you'd need a 4 wheel drive vehicle but it's. It may take longer depending on how frequently you stop for photos. I am a 50+ female from the flatlands!We drove down from the top in a 4WD Toyota Forerunner. But this adventure wouldn't be complete without ascending Shafer Trail to the top of the Island in the Sky. So much fun!! So much fun!! Copyright All Rights Reserved. In this photo, you can see Potash Road as it runs along the Colorado River. This road circles under Dead Horse Point, along the Colorado River, and past the potash evaporation ponds. . When we were on White Rim Road, we were asked by a ranger if we had our permit. Cheers, Julie, Hello, Laurent from France here. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. The Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands is a great 44 trail. 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. I would not attempt it as it is quite a dangerous road and quite challenging especially with a caravan I would only attempt it with a good 4 wheel drive, and it would be a challenge even for a 4WD especially in bad weather at night etc. How Can I Add on the White Rim Road to this Drive? The Corona Arch is a great hike and is highly recommended. This is where you can see the Colorado River making a 180-degree turn in the canyon. The Shafer family were pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? Utah-279 ends at Highway 191. If youre in the Moab area and you are okay with some puckering at the beginning, its so worth it. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. These petroglyphs are about 5 miles down the Potash Road. You can also join a guided tour. 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. Shafer Trail - Canyonlands - Utah - Full - YouTube Pretty moderate drive, nothing technical. Please stay on the trail so as not to disturb biological soil crust. The ranger recommended to not do it in AWD if there was recently any rain. This is a far less busy arch than Corona Arch, but it is a fun and underrated hike. A bit before the White Rim Rd you take the left into the Potash Rd. Take the first left after passing the Island in the Sky entrance station. The only people who will find the trail scary are those who are afraid of heights. Respect For Canyonlands National Park - Wing-It Worldwide Awesome! All stock. Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park (& Potash Road) Once the mining came to an end and tourism picked up, the road was further widened and maintained, and then became known as Shafer Canyon Road. It is also quite wide, at least compared to the White Rim Road. more Needles District Road Closures All Needles district 4x4 roads and Elephant Hill Access Road are closed and impassable due to severe weather. Here is the Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road driving route in detail. If you drive into the park from the Shafer Trail, you can avoid the entrance station altogether. It was a little scary, I'm not going to lie. The views are amazing, and we enjoyed exploring this less-visited trail in Moab. Guard rails? Not at all technical but use Low 4 Wheel at least thru the switchbacks. things to do in Canyonlands National Park. In 1916 the Shafer family used the trail as a cattle trail to move cows from the summer and winter pastures. My question is how far does it go? You can do this in different ways, and there is no exact right way to do it. Planning on driving Shafer Road summer 2019. 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. It's a little on the scary side at times, but highly worth it for both the 4 wheeler (hubby) and shutterbug (me) alike. This is a rough road that eventually gives way to pavement. some areas require 4x4 but we saw cars on the road. Perfect control. White Rim Road: Detailed Planning Guide and Checklist If you are a photographer, consider visiting Mesa Arch at sunrise, to capture the glimmer of the first rays of sun under the arch. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. Learn more about Utah in our Utah Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Drove in reverse from Canyonlands to Potash Rd, nothing technical. Just past the evaporation ponds your tires will hit paved road. It is one thing to watch cars travel the switchbacks from the Shafer Canyon Overlook. Shafer Trail Viewpoint - National Park Service Personal vehicle: $30 Motorcycle: $25 Cyclist/Pedestrian: $15 The Shafer Canyon Road is what you will turn on after you pass the entrance station in Canyonlands National Park. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are an every day family prioritizing experiences and memories. I think that the Shafer Canyon switchbacks look a lot more dangerous from the viewpoints than when you are actually driving on them. Island in the Sky: White Rim Road The 100-mile four-wheel drive White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area.
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