Canyonlands, the Schafer Trail
Written: Jan 14 '00 (Updated Jan 04 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unique canyon & river scenery from a different viewpoint
Cons: Scary! Definitely not for those afraid of heights.
The Bottom Line: Fine scenery, great alternative to Grand Canyon crowds.
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| SonoraDick's Full Review: Canyonlands National Park |
Anybody who has visited the Island in the Sky district in Canyonlands National Park (that's the section nearest to Dead Horse Point State Park) has probably stopped at the first overlook & seen the dirt road that descends from the rim to the canyon floor on the White Rim below, clinging precariously to the edge with many switchbacks carved right from the canyon wall.
I don't know why, but ever since my first look at that road nearly 30 years ago, I have wanted to drive it. Last year, I finally had the right vehicle as well as enough nerve.
The road is called the Schafer Trail. I learned it was started as a cattle trail long ago (cattle apparently aren't afraid of heights) & was also used as recently as the 1950s during a uranium boom.
A little study convinced me this road would be better to drive up than down, so we approached it by driving the very scenic (and paved!) Potash Road out of Moab, that parallels the Colorado River for about 15 miles before turning to... dirt. From here on, you had better have 4 wheel drive.
After a few bumpy miles, the road enters Canyonlands National Park. There are many terrific views of the river which by now must be nearly 1000' feet below. At one point you are directly below the state park, with Dead Horse Point itself opposite you, providing an entirely different view than that normally seen from above.
After a few more miles, you'll come to an intersection. Turn left & you can drive along the White Rim Trail. I would love to do this one day but it's about a 3 day journey & we didn't have the time on this particular trip. This road is about 1000' below the rim & another 1000' above the Colorado. It's plainly visible from the overlooks above as it stretches for about 125 miles.
We turned right, toward Schafer Canyon. You immediately start to wonder how you'll ever get up to the top, as it doesn't look like a road is possible here. Fasten your seat belt...
It's bumpy & narrow but still pretty level as you drive to the wall of the canyon. There starts the ascent. I didn't count the switchbacks but there must be at least a couple of dozen. My wife says a million but since she had her eyes closed the whole way I don't think she knows. The road is wide enough here so you can move away from the edge, & the switchbacks themselves offer enough room to move over if you meet another driver foolish enough to be driving downhill. I found the very last part to be the scariest as I thought we were all the way to the top, but then the road continues along the rim for a couple of miles before it intersects with the main road.
Quite frankly, the view is better from the overlook as you can take in the entire scene in complete safety. I don't think I dared stop even once for a photo while we were climbing. Even so, it was a great experience... once.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
SonoraDick
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Location: Tucson, AZ
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 4 members
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