Anyone ever drive White Rim Rd in Canyonlands?

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02/13/2011 05:53:16 PM · #1

Has anyone here ever driven the full length of White Rim Road in Canyonlands? Its about 50 miles long, I think.

If so, could you tell me if it is as difficult as it looks on Google Earth.

It reminds me of the road that goes over the Kaiparowits Plateau in the Grand-Staircase and that one scares the heck out of me in places.

Any first hand knowledge would be much appreciated.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

02/13/2011 09:58:02 PM · #2

No first hand knowledge, but this site might be of assistance.
Linky

Looks like it is more like 100 miles, and you probably want a 4x4, and 2-3 days...

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/13/2011 10:11:23 PM · #3

You definitely want to call ahead. The article linked, certainly says that there's alot of difficulty to this trail, however, jumping around the parks website, there was also a pretty severe washout on part of it, and they've closed the loop indefinitely. Looks like fun when they re-open it though. Good Luck.

02/13/2011 11:07:53 PM · #4

I drove that road back in the mid-70s, and it was a heart-stopper. I suppose it's probably better now, but holy moly, look at the washout!.

R.

02/14/2011 04:04:14 PM · #5

Thanks ambaker for the distance update... I knew it was a long ways. I got the vehicle and survival gear thingy licked. I don't go nowhere no time unprepared anymore.

Ya know, Bear, this is the 2nd out-of-the-way place wilderness area you've been to before me. You are starting to give me an inferiority complex!

However...

People... people... people...

Do you think I'd let a "little" washout on the last 11 miles of a near impossible 100 mile "road" loop stop me?

That is such 2 dimensional thinking. LOL!!!

Heck, except for the switchbacks Mineral Road is the easy part! Bear_Music can tell you that.

Don't you folks remember that I'm the guy that survived over a week in one of the hottest deserts in the world - the Sonoran - without food, water or shelter during the heat of summer and walked out under my own power? Nobody, and I mean nobody, does that and lives to tell the tale! There are a whole lotta dead bodies there that can attest to that fact.

I'm special. ;) ;)

That sissy "Survivor Man" dude was there in February for crying out loud. My 84-year old mother could survive that. LOL!!!!

This news definitely puts White Rim on my "must do" list this very next trip I'm starting within a week!

02/14/2011 04:47:04 PM · #6

Originally posted by Artifacts:

Ya know, Bear, this is the 2nd out-of-the-way place wilderness area you've been to before me. You are starting to give me an inferiority complex!

I'm OLDER than you, dude. I was doing this when you were in diapers. American West and Southwest, Baja California, those were my stomping grounds. Go further afield than that, and you'll leave me behind, as far as wilderness goes. Now I'm an armchair traveler.

R.

02/14/2011 05:03:57 PM · #7

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Artifacts:
Ya know, Bear, this is the 2nd out-of-the-way place wilderness area you've been to before me. You are starting to give me an inferiority complex!

I'm OLDER than you, dude. I was doing this when you were in diapers. American West and Southwest, Baja California, those were my stomping grounds. Go further afield than that, and you'll leave me behind, as far as wilderness goes. Now I'm an armchair traveler.

I shouldn't tell this cause it will ward off the young fillies from me on Valentine's Day... but you are not that much older than me and would have hardly been barely old enough for kindergarten when I was in diapers.

I'm just exceptionally well preserved for my age. No Grecian formula needed for this boy and I act even more immature than I look! :)

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

02/14/2011 05:16:05 PM · #8

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Weren't you worried about Indians back then?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

02/14/2011 05:39:24 PM · #9

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Weren't you worried about Indians back then?

Nah... Dire Wolves were a problem though! ;-)

02/14/2011 11:11:26 PM · #10

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Weren't you worried about Indians back then?

Nah... Dire Wolves were a problem though! ;-)

Actually, woolly mammoths were the big problem then... and, of course, saber tooth tigers.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

02/16/2011 06:33:40 PM · #11

For those curious to know what White Rim Road is like, Gordon Smith from FredMiranda shared this great photo journal on a trip he took on White Rim two years ago with 8 other people. It is a very nice slide show with excellent photography:

White Rim Trail Gallery

JulietNN

Canon EOS-7D

02/16/2011 08:08:56 PM · #12

I can attest as to how freakishly young Artifacts looks.

I would have sworn on my kids he was in his mid 40's.

02/16/2011 08:15:07 PM · #13

Originally posted by JulietNN:

I can attest as to how freakishly young Artifacts looks.

I would have sworn on my kids he was in his mid 40's.

Here he is 4 1/2 years ago :-)

02/17/2011 09:15:51 AM · #14

That's not me... I'm MUCH better looking than that.

02/17/2011 10:58:15 AM · #15

Originally posted by Artifacts:

That's not me... I'm MUCH better looking than that.

Right, it's the LENS. Lousy ultrawides are just TERRIBLE for a guy's self-image, aren't they?

R.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/19/2011 04:57:50 AM · #16

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Artifacts:
That's not me... I'm MUCH better looking than that.

Right, it's the LENS. Lousy ultrawides are just TERRIBLE for a guy's self-image, aren't they?

Yeah... that and the fact you caught me offing treats to a little girl waiting at bus stop.

Now I have to wear a police ankle bracelet everywhere I go.

jrtodd

Nikon D850

02/19/2011 07:34:54 AM · #17

I have never driven the entire length but have several friends who have as supply vehicles for the bike race. You will want 4X4 for sure, full tank of gas with a couple of extra full cans and a good spare tire. There are several spots (that I have driven) where you want to get out and scout ahead. It's like most things driving down in Moab, know where reverse is and use if needed. I think you may need to get a permit as well.