Moab 4/24-4/27 Shafer Trail, Long Canyon, & Willow Springs Rd.

[Paul R]

Well with KC's trip and UPCruiser's trip reports, I figure I'll add my pictures to the pot I'm amazed we hit almost the same areas...

My wife and I were down in Moab from 4/24-4/27 for a business meeting that I was at up at the Red Cliffs Lodge on the Colorado River. Most of the time until Saturday afternoon was used up there besides some time we spent hiking up Negro Bill Canyon on Friday night. Temperature had been perfect for being outdoors except for a little wind. I have wanted to get out of the standard Moab Trails so we decided to pick a few trails that I haven't done before and to explore a little more on foot.
On Saturday we decided to go into arches and hike into delicate arch for sunset. It had been a long time since I had hiked in there and as we made the last bend of the trail I had forgotten how majestically it sits atop its own little ampatheater the beauty of the area is simply amazing!

Delicate Arch

Riko and I at Delicate Arch

Petroglyps on the Delicate Arch Trail

We had actually arrived earlier than we expected (about an hour before sunset) we contemplated waiting around for the sunset but, as it became more crowded we decided to head back to the truck and find a campsite. We planned on exploring the 4x4 roads in arches earlier but the road to tower arch was closed (Now I am wondering if that is because they prefer you to run it North to South and the North side of it may be open?... ), but it looked like the willow flats road was open so we took that out of the park. It is not too much more than a dirt road for the most part with one little sandy section and a minor ledge but it was fun and very scenic as the sun was setting.

Willow Springs Road

As we got on the outside of the park we started looking for a spot to pull over and foldout the tent. We ended up following an ATV spur trail a couple hundred yards where we set up for the night. I sure love the versatility of the Roof Top Tent we were able to set up and be in bed in about 10 minutes.

 

[Paul R]

As morning came we waited around a bit and took in the beauty of the area before packing up. We decided to go up route 313 headed into Canyonlands NP, and we hit some of the main Island in the sky destinations (i.e. Mesa Arch and Green River Overlook) from the tarmac before heading down the Shafer Trail. It seems absolutely crazy that anyone would build a road where the Shafer Trail is, it descends from the top of the mesa to the bottom via tight switchbacks. We wondered the history of the trail and from what I can gather it started out as a cattle trail and was later developed for mining trucks hauling ore from the White Rim area during the Uranium boom (Although I would like to see that!). Another little tidbit we heard was from a Moab local who was our jet boat tour guide from the day before, he said that when he was little you couldn’t make the turn on the switchback so you would have to go in reverse up the next section then forward on the next… you get the idea… (This came from a tour guide though and they usually exaggerate things so I’m not sure how true it really is). Anyways we dropped down through the switchbacks and headed down the Potash Road and saw some of the great scenery there: river overlooks, balanced rocks, and the Intrepid Potash evap. pools.

Camp off of Willow Springs Rd.

Mesa Arch

Washer Woman Arch

Cool Tree

Green River Overlook

Shafer Switchbacks

Intrepid Potash Evap Pools (They put blue dye in the water to help out their process which is why it is so blue)

Balance Rock on Potash Rd.

Just after the road turned back into asphalt we turned into the parking lot for Jug Handle Arch and headed up Long Canyon. At first the road was just bumpy and not fun at all I contemplated turning around but pressed forward, we cut up the canyon to a beautiful overlook of Behind the Rocks, and then up the road until we slipped under the giant slab of sandstone that fell across the road. It really makes you wonder how much it really weighs and then gets you hoping you are nowhere near the next big piece that decides to let go! From there we bombed out the dirt road past Dead Horse Point and back onto 313 where we headed home.

Behind the Rocks

Sandstone Slab in Long Canyon

All in all it was a great trip and it reminds me of how gorgeous the whole area is!

 

[JeepN95YJ]

Last June I went to Moab for the first time. We had lunch overlooking Negro Bill Canyon on the Fins & Things trail. Took pictures of the sunset at Delicate Arch. Ran the White Rim Canyon and drove Willow Springs Rd. We also did Long Canyon and I know exactly what you mean. We drove from the top down and after seeing that big rock over the road and discussing with a friend that during the 90s on their honeymoon, the rock hadn't fallen yet, I couldn't get off that road fast enough. LOL.

Here in OH we don't have those big rocks.....made me a little nervous..

Nice photos. Thanks for posting and reminding me of the great time I had.

 

[kcowyo]

Awesome photos Paul! :clapsmile

Love your shot of the Delicate Arch, good timing. And thanks for the 411 on the Potash pools. I didn't know anything about them.

Looks like we could have had a small ExPo meeting in Moab that weekend with you, Kristian and I all in town. You and I did almost the same route. I'm sure if I had seen your Tacoma, I would have thrown a wave or said hello.

Didja see a nekkid Jeep guy out there?
.

 

[Willman]

Didja see a nekkid Jeep guy out there?
.

:smilies27


Nice trip Paul!

Your pretty handy with that camera of yours!...Nice shots!