White Rim Trail

Part 1 

                                          Day One 

                                Impressions

  White Rim Trail lies within the boundaries of Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky region in the State of Utah. Canyonlands was designate as a National Park as of September 12, 1964.

  

 The pandemic had cause a lot of delays in planning this epic journey. Nonetheless plans were made months ago (August, 2021) for this TC challenge.

Our group came from all over the country; Bryan and Susan Lavender from Arizona, Kevin and Linda MacAfee from Minnesota, John and Vickie Jackson from Rhode Island, Alex and Julie Blasingame from California. Everyone met up at Horsethief Campground by November 27, 2021 for the next day the long awaited journey begins.

Horsethief Campground

                         November 28, 2021

Bryan & Susan Lavender:

“The first time we saw the White Rim Trail was years ago, from the rim of Island in the Sky as we were taking the usual photograph through Mesa Arch. Our first thought was, “That looks interesting!” But at that time we had a much larger truck camper and after minimal investigation decided we didn’t have the right combination of equipment to take it on. A few years later, with a much smaller camper and some contact with the truck camper community online, an invitation to join a group on this trail was a chance we weren’t going to pass up!”

Photo by Kevin & Linda MacAfee, Shafer Trail Staging Area

Shafer Trail, MacAfee behind the Blasingame

Jackson and Lavender on Shafer Trail

We couldn’t ask for a more glorious day of bright blue sky to start of this multi truck camper journey. From our perch on the Shafer Road/Trail we could see the far away La Sal Mountains, not much snow on them.

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La Sal Mountains in the distance

The journey down the famous switchbacks went by quickly even if the road down did go to the rough side

 

Shafer Switchbacks, Blasingame and Jackson's

           

Shafer Switchbacks would in highsight be the easy part of the overall journey. Our first stop was where the vaulted toilet was at where the White Rim Trail begins.

Kevin and Linda MacAfee:

"Just after Thanksgiving, my wife Linda and I joined three other couples driving the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands. One of the groups had driven the route before and served as our unofficial leader.  I, Kevin, had ridden a portion of it on a bicycle so was anxious to see the rest by vehicle."

The beginning of the White Rim Trail

Looking back, somehow the Shafer Trail manage to disappear into the cliffs behind us from which we came (Lavender photo). 

After awhile it was time to get our wagon train going for there would be several points of interest to ponder before the days end.

B & S Lavender:

"Not long after, we began to encounter more and more rock surface instead of the graded dirt that we had enjoyed coming down the Shafer switchbacks. The pace slowed! This became a defining feature of the Trail. While not a technically difficult road, it is a road you must pay attention to or your travels will become more exciting than you bargained for! Deep ruts, steep drop-offs, overhanging rocks with white paint from previous (inattentive) victims, hard-to-see little (and not so little) drops in the road that could mess up your day… the White Rim Trail had plenty to offer. "

Reaching the Gooseneck Overlook presented a magnificent view of the Colorado River. A easy to walk trail led to the cliff's edge and even induced some hand holding.

Bryan and Susan hand "n" hand

Reaching the Gooseneck Overlook presented a magnificent view of the Colorado River. A easy to walk trail led to the cliff's edge and even induced some hand holding.

Bryan,Susan,John,Vickie,Kevin and Linda

Our overlanding adventurers left to right: Bryan,Susan,John,Vickie,Kevin and Linda

 

Gooseneck Overlook

I've (Alex) been to this overlook six times and the tilting rock is still hanging in there. Across the vast canyon upon the plateau is Dead Horse Point State Park where several movies have been produced there and one that's come to mind is "Thelma and Louise" where the characters drove their car over the cliff  to their doom!

Off to the Colorado Overlook just a short distance away that our crew travel to.Another eye opening sight of the very far below Colorado River can be viewed from, only you can drive your rig right to the edge of the abyss.

On across the rocky road to the edge of the abyss of the Colorado Overlook.

Several vehicle had made their way across the rough road to the edge.

John wandering off along the shelf's edge while Kevin snaps a few photos of the magnificent view below. 

 

Musselman Arch was stone's throw away and our group was ready to get there!

Parking area/trailhead to Musselman Arch

                                          John making the walk

Kenvin posing for his wife, Linda

The gang had some fun at Musselman Arch, making a walk across it. We had to get moving again, still a many of miles to go and they would be some rough miles making our journey a slow one!

The week before we venture into the bowels of the White Rim Trail it had rained.

 Washing a lot of the red soil from the slickrock thus turning our trail into one rock and roll drive.

With the trail so torn up our speed was between 3-5 mph for most of the time.

Bryant and Susan Lavender:

"On our previous visit to Canyonlands, we had only done our sightseeing from up on Island in the Sky. To be sure, the views from up there are spectacular. On the Trail, you are down in the Canyonlands and you’re seeing everything from the middle level. The views are up and the views are down! And they are simply awesome. And they are unending! It is a unique experience to drive through"

Despite the trail be in a bad way we managed to stay in sight of each other.

After a easy climb, around a blind turn Airport Tower laid before us just a short distance away.

WRT would come very close to edge, there was a small washout that no doubt had 

funneled rain water into the Lathrop Canyon to our left. This canyon would take you to the Colorado River about 5 miles away and from some report I received was nearly impassable at this time.

Airport Tower could be easily seen by now as we were very close to our end of the day campsite. Last week rain storms had left their marks upon the landscape. Leaving behind uncovered slick rock, gouges across the trail and still damp wash out river beds.

It was a long day and I for one was glad to be at our campsite as the others in our group. Setting camp up would be a easy task with our rigs.

After setting up camp a few of us wandered about, John taking his long walk, the Lavenders setting their cameras up and the MacAfee's wanting to have a evening meal. Our ever present overhead light would soon be making a quick retreat 

behind the ever present Airport Tower bringing darkness to us and the night sky entertainment.

This is the end of Day One and the journey to Murphy's campsite, next day, would be a long one.

Some thoughts about the trip by John and Vickie Jackson

 "Traveling on the White Rim Trail in our truck campers was decidedly unique and so breathtaking it's hard to put into words.  Ever so slowly making our way over the rough and bumpy road gave me plenty of time to appreciate the awe inducing scenery and to think about my place in the grand scheme of things.  I return with a renewed sense of humility and gratitude at the miracle of being here now.  How pleasant it was to share this experience with a group of people who love to wander as we do. " 

My personal thanks to Bryan & Susan Lavender and Kevin & Linda MacAfee, John & Vickie for the permission to use some of their photos and their thoughts during our time on the WRT.

Next Part......Airport to Gooseberry