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12-20-2015, 07:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 463
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White Rim Road in Winter
We are considering the White Rim Road in Canyonlands NP between Christmas and New Years. Right now the weather shows some snowy conditions on Dec 22-23, 2015. I imagine that the ground will be frozen as the Highs predicted are in the 30's and Lows in the teens.
Has anyone done the White Rim Road in the wintertime?
What is the road like?
Is the road passable in those conditions or would it be too slick?
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George ><>
2005 5.4L E250 RB50 4x4 SMB
2000 4Runner Limited 4WD
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
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12-20-2015, 08:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,252
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I wouldn't think the rangers would let you anywhere near it if it was bad, but........
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12-20-2015, 11:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,018
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To access to White Rim itself, you'll drive the Shafer Trail which could be quite dangerous if ground is really frozen. It's steep, so you really don't want to slip down there!
They are also some steep places on the White Rim itself that could be difficult to pass with really frozen ground... I would recommend to carry a pair of tire chains at least.
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Travelling in VivaLaVida (custom 2010 6.0 Ford E-350 Extended with U-Joint 4WD conversion)
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12-20-2015, 11:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Durango, Colduhrado
Posts: 687
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Could be hit or miss depending on what weather precedes your time there. Traveling on frozen ground with some loose snow on top is the best. Once it thaws out, it gets real slick and sticky. TT other users during the day/s and see what they have to tell you about coming from the other way so you'll be in the know. If Shafer is ice, then yes, you might want to make that an uphill in 4x4 locked.
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All things being equal - fat people use more soap.
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12-21-2015, 09:29 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Park City Utah
Posts: 70
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You don't have to do Shafer as you can come in via the river road. Registering at the trailhead is optional these days - so if it's bad go in via Moab and the river road.
You Cannot avoid the Mineral Bottom hill... Call the rangers, they are probably bored out of their minds and looking forward for these types of questions in December.
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12-21-2015, 10:12 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dick
You don't have to do Shafer as you can come in via the river road. Registering at the trailhead is optional these days - so if it's bad go in via Moab and the river road.
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Past March, the river road (Potash road, then river road) was closed due to a large landslide. A ranger told me that it could take several years before opening that road again. So you should ask at Moab visitor center before to choose that road.
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Travelling in VivaLaVida (custom 2010 6.0 Ford E-350 Extended with U-Joint 4WD conversion)
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12-21-2015, 10:33 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Park City Utah
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pschitt
Past March, the river road (Potash road, then river road) was closed due to a large landslide. A ranger told me that it could take several years before opening that road again. So you should ask at Moab visitor center before to choose that road.
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It's open according to this post from 3 weeks ago ( http://rompingandnguyening.com/2015/...hite-rim-road/). NPS site says Shafer is closed ( http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisi...conditions.htm)...
Either way give them a call & go prepared will be a killer time to be there. Take chains as it get Very Slick when the clay on Murphy's/Potato Bottom/etc are wet...
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12-21-2015, 11:03 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,018
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Good news, thanks for sharing Dick.
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Travelling in VivaLaVida (custom 2010 6.0 Ford E-350 Extended with U-Joint 4WD conversion)
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12-21-2015, 04:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 463
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I just got off the horn with the ranger. He said Shafer was closed but Potash is open and fine. They got 8" of snow a few days ago and it is sticking around. He said the toughest would be if it thawed out and became mud then froze and it would be a giant ice block. Nothing besides Shafer Trail is closed from a camping or trail standpoint. I think we might just hang on a bit and go in the spring...
While I have you here, Which Campgrounds do you all prefer, and how many nights for a leisurely passage on White Rim Road?
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__________________
George ><>
2005 5.4L E250 RB50 4x4 SMB
2000 4Runner Limited 4WD
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
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12-21-2015, 05:45 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyrat
While I have you here, Which Campgrounds do you all prefer, and how many nights for a leisurely passage on White Rim Road?
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I prefer any campground in Utah. I've heard about 2 nights to do the loop.
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