XR650R Dual Sport Project & Travels

Shafer Canyon Trail - 2004

The Shafer trail is the backway into Canyonlands, leading from the Colorado River at Hwy 279, up through Shafer Canyon to a point on the White Rim sandstone below the Island in the Sky visitor center.  Its an easy putt.  To reach it go North from Moab on 191 and follow Hwy 279 to a parking area at Long Canyon.  A sign there says "Jug Handle" or something.  I combined this ride with the White Rim Trail and a side trip down Lathrop Canyon.  The total non-paved part was 112 miles.  Its a trip not to be forgotten.  Take plenty of water, food and other supplies.

Provisions included 5 liters of water, trail mix, energy bars, goretex parka, sun hat, winter riding gloves, spare engine coolant, plus the usual tools and emergency supplies.	Rok straps kept the load compressed.	In the Long Canyon parking area before departure.	The Shafer trial (red dots) and upper part of the White Rim Trail (green dots).
Nearing the end of the pavement on Hwy 279.	The scene from near the start.	Reflections of the landscape on potash evaporation ponds shortly into the trail.  A mine explosion killed 18 locals in 1964, forcing the potash operation to switch to "solution mining", meaning they pump water into the mine to disolve the mineral, then recover it by evaporation.  Guess what they're mining.......its the Paradox salts!
The history of the Shafer trail.	A few scenes along the way.		Looking down upon the Colorado River from a place called the Goose Neck.
Getting close to the White Rim.  Island in the Sky is the upper plateau of Canyonlands.	Final ascent onto the White Rim sandstone, visible to the left above the road.	First view of the White Rim Trail (arrow).	Looking West.  The White Rim Trail descends on switchbacks from Island in the Sky somewhere near the arrow.