shafer trail road deaths

Went back to Moab via Potash Rd. <>>> Tip 5: Park closures can be found on their Twitter accounts. I can't describe the relief I felt once we made it to the bottom. It's a trail, not a road and has no guardrails. Even though you just did it, it is still somehow unbelievable that you just drove down that seemingly unsurmountable canyon wall. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? I'd recommend it for at least the semi-experienced 4 wheeler and probably between the months of April-October if you don't want to deal with winter weather/slick conditions. It was filmed right here, next to the Colorado River, just outside of Dead Horse Point State Park. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. My friend and I had actually gone down this trail in June of 2008 (we were at Canyonlands again in June 2011). https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/fees.htm, Bureau of Land Management: Moab Field Office. bar) and I had pretty much felt that my life was going to end that day. You can see the first part of Shafer Canyon Road on top of the rim, just before the switchbacks. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. 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. It is a must!! 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. It was the thrill of a lifetime. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Water in places. 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. We were definitely unprepared and did not know what we were getting into. Shafer Trail Closed The unpaved Shafer Trail road at Island in the Sky is closed due to winter conditions. There is one low overhang that could be a problem as well as one tight turn. Get the full list in our Best Things to Do in Arches guide. Remember, unlike in the past, high-clearance, 4WD vehicles with low gear settings (4LO) are highly recommended to traverse this route. At this point, you will start to be directly beneath the Dead Horse Point State Park. 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. Once you pass the Potash Ponds, you will shortly meet back up with the UT-279 that will take you back towards Moab. Connecting Canyonlands National Park with Moab, the Shafer Trail Road/Shafer Canyon Road is an 18-mile dirt track into eastern Utah, featuring American Indian petroglyphs and natural stone arches. Once you get past the ponds, it is a paved road to Moab. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Planning on driving Shafer Road summer 2019. After Canyonlands was established in 1964, ranchers were granted a ten-year extension of ranching in the park. Credit: NPS Photo, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. It's narrow but nothing too crazy. Thank you! I also read your list of the 10 best things to see/do in Islands in the Sky District. Visit our park website for more information on road conditions and safe driving. Can I drive my Dodge Caravan at Shafer Road. High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are strongly recommended. So much fun!! Thank you. This is one of the fun Moab off road trails. Seatbelts are required on all roads. Potash Road is extremely rough. But be careful not to go after any rain!! Then all of a sudden, my husband (who is very very afraid of heights), clenched the steering wheel and gritted his teeth. % If people cannot get into Arches, they will go into Canyonlands, making for a long wait at the entrance station. 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. Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park is an off-roading experience and an incredible drive. The 2022 edition of Maple Weekend runs March 19 and 20 and March 26 and 27. We continued down the trail to the Potash road and on to highway 239. This is where you can see the Colorado River making a 180-degree turn in the canyon. Sheep herders run sheep along the canyon, c. 1966. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. At one point the right rear wheel was airborne! His death in hospital two years later was the result of complications from the head injuries sustained. Cattle trail which can be used by sport vehicles. The Shafer Trail in Moab, Utah is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in America. Most people start in Canyonlands and end in Moab. Xre&mEEaE&AH_cEv Vdq0" stream John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Shafer Canyon Road starts one mile north of the Canyonlands Visitor Center on Island in the Sky Road. We have 4X4 truck camper, 12'6" tall,22ft long, 15,000lbs. So, we drove back down the switchbacks and took Potash Road to Moab. 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. Online Genealogy Records. The Shafer Trail Canyon overlook is also known as the Shafer Trail Viewpoint. <> . 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. One Day Canyonlands and Arches Itinerary. Went in 2020 and this has become a near death story telling experience we share with friends lol. 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). At Mile 8, you will arrive at the Gooseneck Overlook on the Shafer Trail. The Shafer Trail is named after the Shafer family, who were Mormon pioneer settlers. 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. The switchbacks are a total of only about 1 mile long. The Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands is a great 44 trail. If you chose to make the short add on to Goosenecks overlook off the White Rim Road, you WILL need a permit which is easy to get at the visitors center. High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) arehighly recommended. What you should be aware of is that this trail and many other trails in the Moab area can become impassable during periods of rain. Then, spend the rest of the day visiting the overlooks and hiking the short trails in the park. This is because RZRs are not allowed to enter national parks. Too down in an AWD Chevy Equinox and had no issues. I knew something was up when we ran into a couple that had just come through the canyon part of the drive in a smaller 4 wheel drive. For this drive, we had a Jeep Rubicon that we rented from Jeep Canyonlands Rentals in Moab. This is one of the most spectacular, scenic. This is a very scenic area and a great section to stop and take pictures. However, we were really interested in driving Potash Road back to Moab. 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. What a great road to explore on. It is best to touch base with the Visitor Center to ensure there is nothing you should be aware of before starting your trip. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, the entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is included. Today, hundred of visitors every year experience the thrill of a lifetime driving down the sandstone cliff to the basin below. The Corona Arch is a great hike and is highly recommended. We are planning to visit in late June and drive Shafer to Potash. Once you get below the rim, you will take Potash Road to Moab. Then take the Potash Road and Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park later in the day. There are no vehicle length restrictions for the Shafer Canyon Raod and I just re-checked the NPS website. Potash Road weaves down through a canyon and then runs right along the Colorado River. Then it is another great experience to drive down them in a 44 vehicle. Check out this 18.3-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. I think the 8 hr time is based on hiking, not driving. The park ranger warned of mud and ledges on Potash. Thanks for your reply, thanks for your great site !!! Absolutely not enough adjectives to describe this trail!! The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim . 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. The trail had recently opened and still had snow in some locations which made for some scary hair pin turns. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. You can either start by entering through Canyonlands National Park, or you can start by taking the Potash Road in Moab, Utah. 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. 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. Save a lunch break for Thelma & Louise Point. I was looking at a map and it called that road ORV trail, which made me nervous thinking it was only for side by sides. Here the road had several deeps ruts which required some tight maneuvering in our vehicle. Winding "road of death" in Canyonlands National Parkthe Shafer Trail. Can any length of this trail be safely driven out and back on a regular clearance 2WD? Do make sure you check on the road conditions. For more information, please see, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Cheers, Julie, Hello, Laurent from France here. Cheers, Julie. We descended the trail in our Yukon XL. In Moab, there are numerous companies that will rent 4WD vehicles. Plenty of potholes and ruts and cobbles and small boulders on the dirt 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 653 Book in advance from $189.39 per adult Check availability View full product details xodar Pace, Florida 58 87 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. At Mile 17, the road becomes Shafer Basin road. View from Shafer Canyon Overlook. Do not recommend! 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. 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. Youre welcome. Took the trail down into the canyon and on to White Rim Rd to Musselman Arch where we returned to Potash Rd for the 32 mile return trip to Moab. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The road was pretty rough near the ponds. The view from the flat area was awesome and a great stop after doing 1/2 of the trail. The Shafer Trail, WOW!!! Specifically, we would like to drive the Shafer Canyon/Potash Roads from Canyonlands to Moab. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. This is a rough road that eventually gives way to pavement. We used Canyonlands Jeep Rentals and had an awesome experience. All stock. The Shafer in Moab is a great way to spend your time in the Canyonland National Park, and we hope you find our guide informative and helpful. We are here to show you that traveling as a family is not as hard as you might think. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS: If you have limited time, learn how to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day and do this drive!. Tip 4: Even though Canyonlands National Park is not as popular as Arches National Park, it will still get busy. 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. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It may take longer depending on how frequently you stop for photos. Originally built to transport ore, you should not attempt to travel this road in severe conditions. Tip 1: If you start the Shafer Trail from Potash Road, you do not have to wait for traffic to get into the Canyonlands National Park. On the way, you will pass rock climbing sites and Corona Arch. Standing on Dead Horse Point and looking down into the valley next to the Colorado River, we asked ourselves "I wonder how you get on that road down there?" I would not want to drive my own vehicle on this road and put this kind of wear and tear on it. I've read other reviews that say starting from the bottom and working your way up is the way to go. Driving the Shafer Trail is something that youll never forget, however, it is important to do it safely. 2018-2023 CS Ginger. A bit before the White Rim Rd you take the left into the Potash Rd. Very good trail. The Moab Giants is right on the corner of the intersection of US-191 and UT-313. 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. I think just as beautiful though. 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. 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. I don't like heights to begin with but never dreamed it would be this terrifying. Here are photos taken from Thelma and Louise Point. And with 140 farms in Upstate participating, there are plenty of sugar shacks to choose from in every region. The view makes the whole ride worth it, both from the bottom and the top. The "trail" is not wide, actually you shouldn't take a big truck on there. This was a super fun trail with amazing views. Cheers, Julie, Thank you for the informative article about Canyonlands. It is a popular photo spot for many because the Shafer Switchbacks are unique and make for a fun picture. 83.0 Potash Road & Shafer Trail Road Junction Turning right onto Potash Road will take you back to Moab. Get an early start, arriving in Canyonlands at or just after sunrise. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. 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. The Road was so Steep, My Wife Jumped out of the Truck! The most difficult is the Shafer Trail and Mineral Bottom Road switchbacks, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Lathrop Canyon Road - an optional spur road. The view of Potash Road from Dead Horse Point State Park. Thank you for the recommendation to go up hill (from Potash Rd to Canyon Land NP visitor center).

How Fast Do Seborrheic Keratosis Grow, Steve Kanaly Brent Power, Articles S