brooklandsbuttercup

We will be coming in to Moab via US 191 and would like to stop en route at Dead Horse Point and end up at Red Cliffs Lodge or thereabouts. Does it make sense to take the Potash Rd? What do people recommend as a scenic route? We will be in a 4 wheel drive, though not up for major risk taking...
Thanks so much for any thoughts!

utahtea

Hi brooklandsbuttercup,

There are two dirt roads that you can take from Dead Horse State Park down to the Potash Road. The Potash Road does not run up to Dead Horse State Park.

You will either have to take Long Canyon or the Shafer Trail. I would not do either if it is raining, looks like a thunderstorm is approaching or is raining. These roads are difficult when wet.

The Shafer trail has a lot of switchbacks with some hair pins turns.

See Photo:

http://hos2.maad.com/~kleiden/Climbi...s/slide23c.htm

See Discriptions:

http://4x4trailhunters.com/trail.php?id=33

Long Canyon was easier IMHO.

Utahtea

brooklandsbuttercup

Utahtea,
You are such a fountain of knowledge it is amazing! I looked at those links and they are helpful (and intimidating). If it is NOT rainy, is this a reasonable route to proceed? Is it the most direct/sensible/or scenic way to get from 191 to Moab via Dead Horse? Thanks so much!

utahtea

brooklandsbuttercup,

The Shafer Trail or Long Canyon roads are scenic. They are also a little adventure. I don't know if I would call them a reasonable route. Distance wise it's shorter, but time wise it will probably be longer.

I think a lot will depend on what time you get to Dead Horse State Park, how long you spend there, will you be visiting Canyonlands while you are there or are you coming back. There's a lot to see in Canyonlands. Don't miss the Green River Overlook and Grandview Point.

I don't think I would take the dirt roads if it was going to be dark before I got to Moab.

Utahtea

utahtea

I also wanted to mention, that you can see the switchbacks of the Shafer Trail near the Neck section in Canyonlands. You can then decide if this is something you want to do or not.

The website where I had my Shafer Trail & Long Canyon pictures is down. I'll see if I can transfer those pictures to my current website for you.

Utahtea

utahtea

I got the pictures up on my website. We did the Potash road from Moab, took a side trip to Musselman Arch on the White Rim trail before going up the Shafter trail into Canyonlands. Then we went back to Moab on the Long Canyon Trail.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...shafer2001.htm

These pictures were taken with a 35mm camera so the quality isn't as good as the digital camera pictures.

Utahtea

brooklandsbuttercup

Utahtea,
Thanks so much. I think we'll play that part by ear, then, depending on time, weather, condition of the 4X4 that we rent, etc. Your tips are invaluable! "Butter"