Moab Area
 

We are planning a trip to the Moab area this summer and will be visiting Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. We are interested in doing some minor 4x4 trails since we will be driving in a Durango SUV.

I've done some research and found the Long Canyon Rd from north of Dead Horse Point over to the Potash Rd. What sort of road is this and is it ok for a standard SUV? How many miles?

Also, It looks like the Shafer Trail goes from just north of the Canyonlands visitor center east to the Potash Rd. Any info on this road?

I've heard so much about the White Rim road. We don't have the time to do the whole road, but are willing to get the vehicle dusty! I've heard conflicting info that these roads are for "high clearance" vehicles only. Others say a standard SUV will have no problem. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Hi Over,

The Shafer Road is fine in a regular 4 x 4, as long as the weather is dry. You can go up from Potash Rd, or down from Canyonlands. You need to be a little brave on the switchbacks right below the upper end in Canyonlands, very narrow and it's a LONG way down.

You do need a permit from the park (Canyonlands) for the White Rim Trail. It's very popular, so check now.

Not recommended to go anywhere too far out alone (one vehicle).

Have fun!

Check out Jughandle Arch off road trail at the link below. It's for beginners. It a round trip that includes the Potash, Shafer and Long Canyon. You won't have any problems in your suv.

http://www.moab-utah.net/moab-utah-jeep-atv-offroad.htm

It list Gemini Bridges as a beginners trail too, just make sure you have a good map because we got lost and where we ended up wasn't for beginners!


Here's another good link for other trails in the area:

http://www.offroadguides.com/utah-offroad-trails.shtml

And incase you didn't see it. I answered your similar question:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

Utahtea

Hummmm....that link didn't work. Here's my reply to your other post on this subject:


Message: Did you realize that the White Rim trail is a two or three day trip and you need a permit to camp? I've never done it but would love to some day.

Here is more information:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/island/wrim.htm

I have done the Shafer trail twice and the Long Canyon once and your Durango will be fine. My only concern on the Long Canyon would be the height of the Durango because you have to drive though a small opening where a boulder has fallen. We were in a Jeep Wrangler.

Virtual trip on the Shafer trail:

http://www.untraveledroad.com/USA/Ut...SkyTour?w=198W

If you take the Potash Road it meets up with the White Rim trail and the Shafer trail. Take the left and go a little ways on the White Rim trail to Musselman Arch and then double back and go up the Shafer Trail. BTW, there is an outhouse at this intersection! We did this route and had plenty of time to visit Green River Overlook, the Grand View, do the short hike to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and drive back to Moab on the Long Canyon trail. There would have been plenty of time to stop at Dead Horse State Park if we had wanted to. We've been many other times so we decided to do another 4 x 4 trail instead.

Here are our pictures:

http://pages.ivillage.com/utahtea2/id10.html

Another road you might be interested in driving would be the Salt Valley road to Klondike Bluffs area. I DO NOT recommend taking the 4 x 4 wheel road to Tower Arch. That's a hairy drive!!!! We saw to suburbans that couldn't get up the first big rut in the road. You can hike to Tower Arch.

Another easy road would be to follow Kane Creek road until you get to Hurrah Pass. This is more of a 4 x 4 road but an easy one. We only went as far as Hurrah Pass because we ran out of time and had to return our rental jeep. Kane Creek road is on the opposite side of the Colorado River from the Potash Road. There are a lot of petroglyphs on the paved part and more on the unpaved part.

Utahtea

I knew utahtea and others would have great info and ideas on the Moab area off road stuff. Thanks to all. Sorry about the double question...

Just another question for the experts on the area. We have been to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and highway 12 a few years ago, and this time are heading to Monument Valley after the Moab area. After this we will venture on to the Canyon again. But I thought of going to the north rim instead orf the south. We would like to do some minor canyon hiking we didn't get to do the first time, and the "minor" trail seems to be the Bright Angel Trail at the south rim. Are there any such trails or portion of trails that we could hike at the north rim, that would be just partial day medium difficulty? Thanks again.

There are some rim trails at the North Rim which offer some great views and are pretty quiet. We did 3 of them and each was a bout a half day hike. Check the NPS web site as it will have details