I literally had anxiety flood my body just from you looking over the edge. I'm like you in that I lose my balance when it hits so it's safe to get out of that comfort zone.
Every time you walked near the edge, my heart started thumping because it scared me to death, even though I was watching it on video and not there in person.
We drove on that scary road 60 years ago. We were living in Farmington NM at the time and wandered around on weekends. I would not want to drive that road again but the scenery was awesome.
It's a little nerve-racking but we are so curious to see what lies beyond where we stopped. Something to do in the future so I suppose another trek down is in store for us. 😂
I went to that area in October of 1979 or 1980. At the time I was driving either a 1969 VW Karmann Ghia or a 1968 VW bug (memory has faded as to which of those two I owned at the time). I first went down the Mineral Bottom road to the Green River, and drove the White Rim road as far as Hardscrable hill, camping a couple of nights along the Green River just outside the park on BLM land, then I went up to Island In the Sky and went to most of the overlooks in the video, then drove the Shafer Trail road out to Potash and Moab. The old air-cooled VW's were actually decent off-road vehicles, with pretty good ground clearance, though not geared low enough to handle roads that were both steep and rough, which is why I turned around at Hardscrabble Hill. Back then, all the roads in Island In the Sky area were gravel, and Moab was a sleepy little Mormon town.
Yes, the downhill vehicle must yeild to the uphill vehicle. But, for me that rule is one of momentum. You may lose traction if you stop. But the actual reasoning for this rule is this language: The car traveling downhill is in a better position to pull over than the one traveling uphill. The driver going downhill can see farther, has a better vantage point to see where there is a safe spot to pull over, and will be able to pull back safely onto the roadway.
Been everywhere you show on this video and drove the Shafer trail all the way back to Moab past where you stopped. My wife is scared of heights and totally surprised me when she agreed to drive down this road when we saw it from above. She freaked out at the hairpin turn when the void was on her side all of a sudden, but she was a trooper, and we made it all the way down. This is some of the most amazing scenery you can find. I will never forget it.
I can identify with your wife - Glenn's not as bothered by drop offs as I am and I most certainly would have been freaking out. 😅 Glad you both had a good time though!
Shafer Canyon Road looks like a really fun drive. Those drop offs though are something. In some of your shots I even felt a tingling in my legs on them.
Hi Cactus. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your channel! I love history and all that entails. I love the fact you give the information and facts about the history of the towns you visit!!! I’m just recently retired so I like watching You Tube for channels like yours!!! Keep up the great work!!!
Utah is filled with great beauty. Thanks for the video. Been to the parks in Utah and all are spectacular. The geology is amazing. Pay attention to the weather, folks. Flash flooding can happen in these canyons and there is no way to climb these sheer walls through some of these canyons.
Thank you for this video. I concur: Everyone who has the time and the means should visit the National Parks of Utah. There is amazing beauty everywhere you look. My Daughter lived in Missoula, Montana for 16 years and travelled extensively throughout the State. She described Utah as "where Montanans go when they want better scenery." Wherever you are, keep track of the weather and beware of the possibility of a flash flood caused by a thunderstorm that happened miles away. Subscribed.
It is HARD to beat the scenery in Utah. It's also hard to fully see and appreciate all there is to see within the state. So many state parks are incredible as well. Not sure we'll ever feel we've fully explored it all. 😅 Thanks for subscribing and welcome to our channel!
In Sep 2019 I rode my bike down shafer trail from top to bottom had lunch at chicken corner over looking the colorado river. It was one of my best experience on a mountain bike. Those hair pin switchbacks will definitely tickle the jibbles. Great video Glen thanks for sharing. I need to visit that place again.
If you ever get the chance, drive the entire Schaeffer Trail and potash Road. Pronounced pot Ash Road.. it’s named that because of the pot Ash ponds at the other end. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble driving it in your SUV but see what the Rangers say. It is a spectacular drive with beautiful rock formations, and it takes you right down to an overlook of the Colorado river and past the point where they filmed Thelma and Louise at the end of the movie when they drove off into the canyon.. ( In the movie they made you think it was the Grand Canyon, but in actuality it was filmed in canyonlands. )The road ends at Highway 279 near Moab. Arches national park is just off of highway191. Allow at least two hours for the drive, not counting the Schaefer Trail switchbacks. it took me two hours to drive 9 miles because I took it kind of slow and stopped to take pictures. I was driving a Dodge 4x4 but didn’t need the four-wheel-drive at all. I highly recommend it it. If you can, spend the money rent a jeep and drive out onion creek trail. The trail crosses the creek about 10 times so it’s a fun and beautiful drive.. You would only need the Jeep for half the day. There is also a great Hummer tour to the famous Moab fins that are fossilized Sand dunes. They have a tour that is especially for photography and I think it’s late in the day so you can get some sunset shots.. that’s one of the things that I want to do when I go back. I definitely wouldn’t drive myself into the fins area. And if you haven’t done so already go through antelope Canyon near page, Arizona. Being from Arizona you’ve probably done that one but if not, you definitely need to do it. I’ve always loved Montana but Utah is even more spectacular and it’s my favorite place to go now. I RV A lot, sometimes six months at a time, and Utah is a great place to camp. I can’t wait to get back there and see more of its beauty Happy travels and safe travels, Rhonda 😊
We have an off-road truck now. We had to be pretty careful with that SUV as it was a company car. 😅 I imagine the next time we're up that way, a lot more fun will be had on trails we had to skip. 😄
I wish I did Shaffer road. I was in a rental and didn't know if the road was safe. We encountered hail but drove out of it into nice weather. Wonderful place islands in the sky
A friend of mine once said, "All of southern Utah looks like the national parks." Perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. Grand Staircase N. M., Bears Ears N. M., and the San Rafael Swell all have spectacular terrain, and much more besides. There is lots of public land (much of it BLM) and spectacular scenery all over the place.
I was speechless from the amazing views UNTIL you just had to hold the camera over the the edge. People going Uphill Need to keep up their Momentum which helps to get over possible obstacles.
Can't imagine what you go through when Glenn does cliffs like that @@CactusAtlas . Doing your editing then Glenn does the Edge thingy has to get to ya Amy being his other half. Don't get me wrong the views are amazing & Really do Appreciate a Scare from time to time. It's just Another thing that makes your channel so much better than others.
We’ve just driven down the Schafer Trail in a Dodge Ram, OMG, never ever will I do this trail again. Sheer nerve shredding fear going around those tight hairpins. Ps we adore America 🇺🇸❤️🏴
WOW that Green River Overlook was amazing!!! Not that the others weren’t but that was stunning 🤩 It would be tough not to continuously go back until you explored every inch of that place!
This was such an amazing video man! I love when you come to my home state, and I love how much you appreciate it! I’ve been to Canyonlands many times, and it never seizes to amaze me! And to your question about Bristlecones- They do not occur in this area due to the hot temperatures, but they can be found in the La Sals and other higher elevation areas fairly close by. You tend to find them on soil made of Limestone. You where totally right.
Honestly, we keep joking about moving to Utah just to be closer to all the parks and scenery we love. 😅 Good to know about the bristlecones! Wasn't sure. Figured it was too warm but wasn't aware if there were any in the nearby region. Appreciate the info!
I don't think we'd have any reservations about making the drive these days. We were just a tad hesitant to continue in a vehicle we didn't own at that time. Always leaves a good reason to go back. Kinda our thing. 😅
In many ways I agree with you - the views feel a lot of expansive and being able to drive down into it offroad (something we plan on doing more of now that we have an offroad truck) is incredibly enticing. We actually hit up Dead Horse Point State Park on this trip too. Camped in the park. A great park as well!
From what I have seen in books and other videos (I am planning a trip to Utah), there are some spectacular views of Canyonlands from nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. There is a hiking trail that goes to 8 different viewpoints from roughly 2000 feet above the Colorado River.
@@CactusAtlas That entire area is just amazing. This was a bucket list item for my wife and me. So glad we did the drive. The area before the switchbacks has a great view of the river.
The absolute classic photo op at Mesa Arch is to arrive pre-dawn, spring or fall, and catch the sunrising over the La Salle mountains and under the arch. Plan ahead and get there very early, like 3 a.m., because a hundred other people are planning to get the same classic shot. And I am not exaggerating! Stake out our ideal location with your tripod and camera and don't leave it because it will be snatched up instantly. Been there, done that. It is one awesome view.
Wow. That sounds somewhat intense! 😅 Not sure we're up to that task but I imagine it's worth it to get that shot. I've seen photos of that image and they're spectacular.👍
In the 1950’s my dad hauled tanker trucks of water for the uranium mines. Imagine a tanker truck on the Shafer Trail! He said that some of the switchbacks would require half a dozen back-and-forth maneuvers to negotiate.
We don't have any experience with motorcycles so can't really advise there, but I imagine most high-clearance vehicles can at least make the Shafer Trail at least as far as we went. 👍
Canyonlands is a super place. We still need to explore more of the park like the Needles district and such. Looks like we might be adding the White Rim Road to that list too! 😅
@@CactusAtlas It's slow going and a little rough at times but worth the views. Just make sure the whole road is open when you go (try to go in the fall) because when I went it was early June and the Green River was still overflowing it's banks which closed the trail about 3/4 of the way around (Clockwise) from the visitors center. My camp site was near where it was closed, so I had to go 3/4 of the way in, and then turn around and do the same trip out. It was a long 2 days.
I believe Canyonlands is the best kept secret in the US. There is supposed to be a way to get to the Maze via a chartered river boat out of Moab. I would love to visit the Dollhouse that way.
Oh that sounds AWESOME. We'll have to look into that. But yes, Canyonlands is absolutely stunning. Just wish there was more time to explore the other districts.
I don't think that is a meteor impact, looks more like a salt intrusion, which are prevalent in Utah. I'm not a geogolgist but meteor impact I would bet against. Really enjoy your channel Cactus, great material, sir!
Comparing it to Meteor Crater here in Arizona it doesn't appear anything similar. It's always interesting what the signs say in parks. We've come across a sign or two in our travels that didn't seem accurate.
There is some scientific controversy as to whether it's an impact feature or an eroded salt dome. Salt dome was the predominant hypothesis for a long time ,but there is some decent evidence that supports the impact hypothesis.
@@CactusAtlas It's way older than the Meteor Crater and has eroded significantly. In any case, there are still some geologists (last time I dug into it anyway) that favor the salt dome hypothesis.
There is a much scarier road you obviously missed in Utah. It’s called Moki Dugway. Way worse, way scarier, way harder! It makes Shafer Trail kids play! Ha! The remoteness alone makes you wonder if it’s safe? Do not take a RV or trailer! It’s got many switchbacks.
Is no one else going to explain to him that 0.8 mile is NOT an "eighth" of a mile , but eight tenths of a mile ? Big difference. I can let go 0.3 mile is about a third. @6:08
Only allowing AWD or 4x4 vehicles now. What a shame ... 99 out of a hundred passenger cars can do this drive . Ferrari and other really LOW cars can not . If you've got 4 to 6 inches of clearance then your vehicle can do this. Just be careful at sand washes ... they are deeper than you think.
I literally had anxiety flood my body just from you looking over the edge. I'm like you in that I lose my balance when it hits so it's safe to get out of that comfort zone.
It's not for the faint of heart for sure! 😅
Every time you walked near the edge, my heart started thumping because it scared me to death, even though I was watching it on video and not there in person.
I've driven Potash Trail from Moab to the Shafer Trail and up several times both in a Jeep and a 4Runner. It's fun, easy and the views are amazing.
Now that we have our own offroad vehicle, it's something we want to do eventually. 😄
We drove on that scary road 60 years ago. We were living in Farmington NM at the time and wandered around on weekends. I would not want to drive that road again but the scenery was awesome.
It's a little nerve-racking but we are so curious to see what lies beyond where we stopped. Something to do in the future so I suppose another trek down is in store for us. 😂
I would just pass out and fly off the edge of the road 😅. Great video. I often wondered about that road. Now i know.
Hahah! Thankfully no worry about flying off the road with RUclips. 😊
I went to that area in October of 1979 or 1980. At the time I was driving either a 1969 VW Karmann Ghia or a 1968 VW bug (memory has faded as to which of those two I owned at the time). I first went down the Mineral Bottom road to the Green River, and drove the White Rim road as far as Hardscrable hill, camping a couple of nights along the Green River just outside the park on BLM land, then I went up to Island In the Sky and went to most of the overlooks in the video, then drove the Shafer Trail road out to Potash and Moab. The old air-cooled VW's were actually decent off-road vehicles, with pretty good ground clearance, though not geared low enough to handle roads that were both steep and rough, which is why I turned around at Hardscrabble Hill. Back then, all the roads in Island In the Sky area were gravel, and Moab was a sleepy little Mormon town.
I can't imagine Moab as anything other than what it is now. 😅 Sounds like you had some good times there!
Yes, the downhill vehicle must yeild to the uphill vehicle. But, for me that rule is one of momentum. You may lose traction if you stop. But the actual reasoning for this rule is this language: The car traveling downhill is in a better position to pull over than the one traveling uphill. The driver going downhill can see farther, has a better vantage point to see where there is a safe spot to pull over, and will be able to pull back safely onto the roadway.
Been everywhere you show on this video and drove the Shafer trail all the way back to Moab past where you stopped. My wife is scared of heights and totally surprised me when she agreed to drive down this road when we saw it from above. She freaked out at the hairpin turn when the void was on her side all of a sudden, but she was a trooper, and we made it all the way down. This is some of the most amazing scenery you can find. I will never forget it.
I can identify with your wife - Glenn's not as bothered by drop offs as I am and I most certainly would have been freaking out. 😅 Glad you both had a good time though!
It's not even close to the scariest shelf road in UT. They drive heavy equipment down there.
I will be there next week ........
Awesome! We hope that you have a super enjoyable time! 😄
Wow 😮 that road is scary cool 😎 🤠
Totally is both scary and cool. 😂
Great videos. Heading to moab in a few months.
Awesome! Hope you have lots of fun! 😊
Shafer Canyon Road looks like a really fun drive. Those drop offs though are something. In some of your shots I even felt a tingling in my legs on them.
A very neck tingling road indeed. Some of those corners you just can't see over the hood of the car so we'll.
he barely went in. Even better jaw-dropping sites down the trail
We drove the entire White Rim Trail in 2021 on Island in the Sky. Spent 3 nights. Fantastic
Oh, how fun! I bet that was a memorable time. 😄👍
Canyonlands vastly exceeded my expectations when I went last fall. Dead Horse State Park also has one of the best views of the Colorado.
Agreed! I actually camped at Dead Horse for a couple nights on that same trip and we’ll have a video about that in the near future.
Absolutely beautiful views! You were brave driving that little road.❤️
I us.ed to live in Moab. Moved from there in 1982. All the roads and trails mentioned brought back many memories. Thank you
Hi Cactus. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your channel! I love history and all that entails. I love the fact you give the information and facts about the history of the towns you visit!!! I’m just recently retired so I like watching You Tube for channels like yours!!! Keep up the great work!!!
Wow, thank you! So happy to hear that you like our videos. 😄
😂Hey, I have the same hat, ha ha, but it's a beautiful place. I love this one, damn Canyonlands😍👍
Awesome! Nice choice in headwear! 😅
Wow a place we have never seen in person. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏻💕👍
Thank you too! 😊
Beautiful colors in the scenery! Happy travels!
Many thanks! 😄
Awesome video. I love Canyonlands!
thanks!
I can visit Utah over and over and over...
We're right there with you. We keep visiting Utah repeatedly as well. Can't get enough! 😅
Done this road numerous times, up and down. Great scenery!
It sure is! Thanks for watching! 😄
Ideas happening! Thank you for sharing and driving this route! You have added a new bucket list adventure for me! Thank you for sharing!
So glad! Always happy to help and add bucket list items. 😄
Utah is filled with great beauty. Thanks for the video. Been to the parks in Utah and all are spectacular. The geology is amazing. Pay attention to the weather, folks. Flash flooding can happen in these canyons and there is no way to climb these sheer walls through some of these canyons.
Couldn't agree more! And really great advice... some of the floods from storms can do some real damage quite quickly. 👍
Thanks Glenn - now Shafer Canyon drive is now on my list!
Fantastic! It's a great drive. Hope you enjoy it when you go. 👍
Canyonlands is one of my favorites!! That road is terrifying however! I enjoyed watching it from your lens!
I can’t wait to go back and explore more!
Wow wow wowser! Thank you! Saving people from Cabin Fever one video at a time you are awesome and so is your work great narration
Thank you so very much! 😊
Thank you for this video. I concur: Everyone who has the time and the means should visit the National Parks of Utah. There is amazing beauty everywhere you look.
My Daughter lived in Missoula, Montana for 16 years and travelled extensively throughout the State. She described Utah as "where Montanans go when they want better scenery."
Wherever you are, keep track of the weather and beware of the possibility of a flash flood caused by a thunderstorm that happened miles away.
Subscribed.
It is HARD to beat the scenery in Utah. It's also hard to fully see and appreciate all there is to see within the state. So many state parks are incredible as well. Not sure we'll ever feel we've fully explored it all. 😅 Thanks for subscribing and welcome to our channel!
That was amazing. I've got to go sometime. Thanks for taking us along.
Anytime! It's our pleasure. Canyonlands is a stunning park and we only scratched the surface. We feel we have to go back already. 😅
I have been there back in 2021. Canyonlands is just very unique and stunning of its own.
Isn't it though? We definitely need to go back an explore the other areas.
@@CactusAtlas I plan on going back there
In Sep 2019 I rode my bike down shafer trail from top to bottom had lunch at chicken corner over looking the colorado river. It was one of my best experience on a mountain bike. Those hair pin switchbacks will definitely tickle the jibbles. Great video Glen thanks for sharing. I need to visit that place again.
Thanks so much! Man, thought going down in the car was one thing but on a bike sounds incredible!
If you ever get the chance, drive the entire Schaeffer Trail and potash Road. Pronounced pot Ash Road.. it’s named that because of the pot Ash ponds at the other end. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble driving it in your SUV but see what the Rangers say. It is a spectacular drive with beautiful rock formations, and it takes you right down to an overlook of the Colorado river and past the point where they filmed Thelma and Louise at the end of the movie when they drove off into the canyon.. ( In the movie they made you think it was the Grand Canyon, but in actuality it was filmed in canyonlands. )The road ends at Highway 279 near Moab. Arches national park is just off of highway191. Allow at least two hours for the drive, not counting the Schaefer Trail switchbacks. it took me two hours to drive 9 miles because I took it kind of slow and stopped to take pictures. I was driving a Dodge 4x4 but didn’t need the four-wheel-drive at all. I highly recommend it it. If you can, spend the money rent a jeep and drive out onion creek trail. The trail crosses the creek about 10 times so it’s a fun and beautiful drive.. You would only need the Jeep for half the day. There is also a great Hummer tour to the famous Moab fins that are fossilized Sand dunes. They have a tour that is especially for photography and I think it’s late in the day so you can get some sunset shots.. that’s one of the things that I want to do when I go back. I definitely wouldn’t drive myself into the fins area.
And if you haven’t done so already go through antelope Canyon near page, Arizona. Being from Arizona you’ve probably done that one but if not, you definitely need to do it.
I’ve always loved Montana but Utah is even more spectacular and it’s my favorite place to go now. I RV A lot, sometimes six months at a time, and Utah is a great place to camp. I can’t wait to get back there and see more of its beauty
Happy travels and safe travels, Rhonda 😊
We have an off-road truck now. We had to be pretty careful with that SUV as it was a company car. 😅 I imagine the next time we're up that way, a lot more fun will be had on trails we had to skip. 😄
I wish I did Shaffer road. I was in a rental and didn't know if the road was safe. We encountered hail but drove out of it into nice weather. Wonderful place islands in the sky
I hear you. It's always dicey when in a rental and considering taking it off road even just a bit. Been there. 😅
Wow, I hope to see the canyons someday.
It's a fantastic place. We're on board in hoping that you get the opportunity as well. 👍
Welcome to Norway!
Canyonlands and Capital Reef are my two favorites in Utah
A friend of mine once said, "All of southern Utah looks like the national parks." Perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. Grand Staircase N. M., Bears Ears N. M., and the San Rafael Swell all have spectacular terrain, and much more besides. There is lots of public land (much of it BLM) and spectacular scenery all over the place.
your videos are amazing! we are headed to Utah next week. I have bookmarked all of your videos for reference.
Awesome! Thank you! Hope you have fun in Utah on your trip! 😊
Awesomeness
I love seeing the colors variations and your closer to the edge than I will be able to master😅thank you hoping to go in October
Haha! Glenn is definitely daring when it comes to heights. More so than I am myself. 😅 Hope that October trip happens! Canyonlands is a must visit. 👍
I was speechless from the amazing views UNTIL you just had to hold the camera over the the edge.
People going Uphill Need to keep up their Momentum which helps to get over possible obstacles.
Ah. You know, that makes sense. Sometimes hard to think about with views like that as well as the fear of the drop off. Haha!
Can't imagine what you go through when Glenn does cliffs like that @@CactusAtlas . Doing your editing then Glenn does the Edge thingy has to get to ya Amy being his other half. Don't get me wrong the views are amazing & Really do Appreciate a Scare from time to time. It's just Another thing that makes your channel so much better than others.
Looks great for mountain bike ride,,
It kinda does, doesn't it? 😄
@@CactusAtlas yea,,no traffic,,good downhills,and uphills,,great workout,,clean air,,beautiful mountains
favorite place!!
One of ours too! 😄
I enjoyed your video. The Shaffer Trail Is one of our favorite rides. We are heading back to Moab this fall to do more trails and make more videos
One of our favorite places. Have fun! 😄
Wooooow!!!
We’ve just driven down the Schafer Trail in a Dodge Ram, OMG, never ever will I do this trail again. Sheer nerve shredding fear going around those tight hairpins. Ps we adore America 🇺🇸❤️🏴
You'll likely be remembering that experience a while. 😅 It's seeing over the hood that makes things feel so sketchy, I think.
@@CactusAtlas we will never forget, the Ram is a little too long. Next time…
Thanks for video
☆♡☆
Our pleasure! 😊
That's one thing I like about Utah, not that many guardrails. Approach at your own risk.
WOW that Green River Overlook was amazing!!! Not that the others weren’t but that was stunning 🤩 It would be tough not to continuously go back until you explored every inch of that place!
One day we're hoping to accomplish that! So many other areas of the park to explore and it's just such a captivating park with those views. 😄
Maybe the light wasn't perfect but that view sure looked like a painterly landscape to me. 🏜️
It is almost surreal. The Grand Canyon sometimes has that effect too where you just can't quite believe your eyes. 😊
This was such an amazing video man! I love when you come to my home state, and I love how much you appreciate it! I’ve been to Canyonlands many times, and it never seizes to amaze me! And to your question about Bristlecones- They do not occur in this area due to the hot temperatures, but they can be found in the La Sals and other higher elevation areas fairly close by. You tend to find them on soil made of Limestone. You where totally right.
Honestly, we keep joking about moving to Utah just to be closer to all the parks and scenery we love. 😅 Good to know about the bristlecones! Wasn't sure. Figured it was too warm but wasn't aware if there were any in the nearby region. Appreciate the info!
the road to Moab is not really bad at all. A few rough places, but doable if you go slow.
I don't think we'd have any reservations about making the drive these days. We were just a tad hesitant to continue in a vehicle we didn't own at that time. Always leaves a good reason to go back. Kinda our thing. 😅
I find this place more visually impressive than the Grand Canyon by far... AND, you can drive down into it. Don't forget Dead Horse Point state park.
In many ways I agree with you - the views feel a lot of expansive and being able to drive down into it offroad (something we plan on doing more of now that we have an offroad truck) is incredibly enticing. We actually hit up Dead Horse Point State Park on this trip too. Camped in the park. A great park as well!
Beautiful Chemtrails in the sky,,☠
From what I have seen in books and other videos (I am planning a trip to Utah), there are some spectacular views of Canyonlands from nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. There is a hiking trail that goes to 8 different viewpoints from roughly 2000 feet above the Colorado River.
There are indeed fantastic views! (And Dead Horse Point State Park might be showcased next week here. 😉)
👍
I did the drive from the bottom up in a Honda Pilot. I don't even remember the drive because I was so focused.
Totally understandable. Hopefully once at the top you took a moment to catch your breath and take in the view. 😊
@@CactusAtlas That entire area is just amazing. This was a bucket list item for my wife and me. So glad we did the drive. The area before the switchbacks has a great view of the river.
Awesome video. Would you be allowed to drive this road in a side by side?
Hmm. Not entirely sure. The trail is inside Canyonlands park so calling might give the best information. I wouldn't want to say anything incorrect.
The absolute classic photo op at Mesa Arch is to arrive pre-dawn, spring or fall, and catch the sunrising over the La Salle mountains and under the arch. Plan ahead and get there very early, like 3 a.m., because a hundred other people are planning to get the same classic shot. And I am not exaggerating! Stake out our ideal location with your tripod and camera and don't leave it because it will be snatched up instantly. Been there, done that. It is one awesome view.
Wow. That sounds somewhat intense! 😅 Not sure we're up to that task but I imagine it's worth it to get that shot. I've seen photos of that image and they're spectacular.👍
In the 1950’s my dad hauled tanker trucks of water for the uranium mines. Imagine a tanker truck on the Shafer Trail! He said that some of the switchbacks would require half a dozen back-and-forth maneuvers to negotiate.
😮 I cannot even imagine the patience and grit it would take to haul a tanker truck through those switchbacks. Absolutely impressive!
Dad was a truck driver all his life and could put an 18 wheeler anywhere he wanted it to go. He had over 5 million accident free miles.
I want to go there, but not sure about riding my big harley there.
We don't have any experience with motorcycles so can't really advise there, but I imagine most high-clearance vehicles can at least make the Shafer Trail at least as far as we went. 👍
Shafer trail was a little scary in a full size pick up
It makes it all the more "fun", right? 😂
For me personally, I prefer Canyonlands over the Grand Canyon. And the best way to see it is on the White Rim trail. (High clearance 4WD required)
Canyonlands is a super place. We still need to explore more of the park like the Needles district and such. Looks like we might be adding the White Rim Road to that list too! 😅
@@CactusAtlas It's slow going and a little rough at times but worth the views. Just make sure the whole road is open when you go (try to go in the fall) because when I went it was early June and the Green River was still overflowing it's banks which closed the trail about 3/4 of the way around (Clockwise) from the visitors center. My camp site was near where it was closed, so I had to go 3/4 of the way in, and then turn around and do the same trip out. It was a long 2 days.
Excellent advice. We're appreciative of it! Will certainly look into this. Thanks so much! 👍
Comb Ridge. Now that's sketchy.
Looks like it from what I'm seeing! Also looks really awesome. To be fair though, anything can be sketchy when you're driving a car you don't own. 😅
@@CactusAtlas True. We used to drive that to get to Powell. 1960's
I believe Canyonlands is the best kept secret in the US. There is supposed to be a way to get to the Maze via a chartered river boat out of Moab. I would love to visit the Dollhouse that way.
Oh that sounds AWESOME. We'll have to look into that. But yes, Canyonlands is absolutely stunning. Just wish there was more time to explore the other districts.
Tex's in Moab can take you there or boat down yourself in a kayak/canoe. Dollhouse is one of many amazing sites
@@martinginsburg7222 You're going to need Tex's to haul you back upstream in any case, unless you want to run the class 5 stuff in Cataract Canyon.
I don't think that is a meteor impact, looks more like a salt intrusion, which are prevalent in Utah. I'm not a geogolgist but meteor impact I would bet against. Really enjoy your channel Cactus, great material, sir!
Comparing it to Meteor Crater here in Arizona it doesn't appear anything similar. It's always interesting what the signs say in parks. We've come across a sign or two in our travels that didn't seem accurate.
right on salty it is
There is some scientific controversy as to whether it's an impact feature or an eroded salt dome. Salt dome was the predominant hypothesis for a long time ,but there is some decent evidence that supports the impact hypothesis.
@@CactusAtlas It's way older than the Meteor Crater and has eroded significantly. In any case, there are still some geologists (last time I dug into it anyway) that favor the salt dome hypothesis.
Watch out for roadrunners and coyotes on those mountain roads.😊❤❤
Shaffer is not the scariest shelf road in UT. They drive heavy equipment down there.
Oh, no doubt. I'm sure there's plenty of worse roads. But you know... thumbnails. 😅
There is a much scarier road you obviously missed in Utah. It’s called Moki Dugway. Way worse, way scarier, way harder! It makes Shafer Trail kids play! Ha! The remoteness alone makes you wonder if it’s safe? Do not take a RV or trailer! It’s got many switchbacks.
We actually have driven it several times and have a video of it, too. 😄
Have done both…don’t think Dugway is scarier. Focus on road, not edge.
Is no one else going to explain to him that 0.8 mile is NOT an "eighth" of a mile , but eight tenths of a mile ? Big difference. I can let go 0.3 mile is about a third. @6:08
What's the deal with the heavyweight bandana?
It's lightweight and practical for sun and sand.
Only allowing AWD or 4x4 vehicles now. What a shame ... 99 out of a hundred passenger cars can do this drive . Ferrari and other really LOW cars can not . If you've got 4 to 6 inches of clearance then your vehicle can do this. Just be careful at sand washes ... they are deeper than you think.
It seems like it is a fairly well maintained road. 🤔 Then again, there's some people who might attempt that really shouldn't. 🤷♀️
Ha,ha ... not a ONE LANE road at al.