The trip has been good so far, with some adversities to overcome. If you haven't explored Utah... Consider putting it on your list. I drove down last week, spent a day in Nine Mile Canyon, and then went into the Canyonlands National Park and drove the White Rim Trail. I did it in the opposite direction of normal, because of campsite availability. It's a very special place.
Re vehicle - much of the White Rim Road could be done in 2wd, but there are a few steep, sketchy places such as Murphy Hogback and Walker's Cut, that demand 4-low.
The descent into the canyon was via Mineral Road, and these switchbacks.
The Jeep looks so rugged & worthy. Then the front driveshaft CV joint failed later in the trip.
This rock formation is known as "Zeus and Moses."
Campsites are nice, placed well-apart, and must be reserved.
Just to give an idea of the size of these rocks! Conspicuous lack of trees too.
Island in the Sky is bordered by the Green River and the Colorado. This is the Green.
Pretty doggone sharp dropoff!
More to follow, but it's been a real good trip so far.
As usual, photographs fail to capture just how steep it is. Murphy Hogback was one of the spots I was really hoping not to run into an oncoming vehicle.
A few narrow points along the route:
Shafer switchbacks:
Along the Green River:
And Murphy Hogback, one place I used low range:
I couldn't take photos of the more difficult portions, as I was too busy driving and hanging on for dear life!
:)
Thanks! Great trip. Still out and about though we've shifted areas. More to follow! :)
Glad to see your having a great time Guy! Vicki and I have talked about doing the canyon lands there too. One thing we would love to do would be to rake out 14 ft white water cateraft along and spend a couple days or more floating the green and the colorado rivers with maybe an overnighter on the river. That is got to be one of those places when God built the earth, on sat afternoon he had a few minutes left over and spent them there. It's sooo beautiful in places like that. Be safe and have a good time my friend.
New driveshaft should be ready this afternoon. :)
White Rim was incredible! Very glad we did it when we were there
I told my wife on our last trip down to Moab, as I was staring down the Shaefer switchbacks, We will have to come back and do this trail.
Some desert bighorn sheep: