Trip Report: White Rim Road, First Run of the New Season

We got lucky this time. Watching the weather reports, it was clear that the four day weekend we had ahead of us was going to nice and warm. President’s Day, it seems, would be spent in Utah.

After mulling over our options, I came to startling realization that there was no one scheduled to be out at the White Rim Road. Typically getting permits here is a pain the arse and next to impossible during the spring or fall. I guess one of the benefits of a drought is things are more accessible earlier…

The ranger did their usual best to keep us out–“there’s probably snow and ice on the north facing slopes…probably won’t get very far” and “there’s a rock slide blocking access…”. As it turns out, like it usually does, these were woefully wrong. Instead, the road was in perfect condition and no sign of mud, ice, or snow anywhere. Oh and that rock fall? That boulder fell just right to still allow a vehicle to squeeze by. No worries then.

We entered via the Potash Road since the Shafer Trail was still closed. Although passing through some mild industrial venues isn’t typically the most exciting way to enter, we were quite overcome with out first overlook, staring back down the Colorado River.Unfortunately, we weren’t to see any more sun after that point for the next two days. A strange inversion, typical more on the other side of the Wasatch Front, sat on the La Sals and surrounding area. Sigh.

Although clouds shrouded our views during the majority of the trip, the stay at the White Crack campground was stunning and quiet: nobody but ourselves. We geared up and hopped on the bikes and rode our way to the base of Murphy’s Hogback on our 29ers, getting some fresh air and enjoying the scenery from a peaceful method of travel. Here’s a quick video of our fun:

When life gives you lemonade, you find a beer to put it in. In this case, I went out at night (we had a full moon) and did some night photography since the daylight was so bland. Here is a quick gallery of moonlight shots.

Catching the Moonrise over the La Sals. Stars can still be seen.

Six-shooter peak barely breaks the skyline looking towards the Needles.

Looking towards the La Sal Mountains, the drop into the canyons seems quite ominous.

Although no water on the road, you could find water in Tinajas in the sandstone. They also capture the moonlight quite well.

Our last day and night, though, would be a bit rougher. Looking west towards Land’s End, we could see tongues of dust being whipped up as a windstorm was set to pounce on us. Sure enough, a series of windstorms pounding our camp for the next 16 hours, keeping us awake and night and using the truck and camping gear as makeshift protection.

But who were we to complain? We had the whole place to ourselves and skirted our way around the Green River and out the backside in full sunlight and gorgeous views.

Without a doubt this is one of the best drives we both have ever experienced. Great 4×4’ing, amazing views, and the feeling of being completely lost in the Back of Beyond. Nothing could be greater.