White Rim Trail

[Jon&Sue_DeArman]

I have a permit to drive the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands on 15-16-17 April. I'm planning on taking my 1995 V6-Automatic Toyota T100 with a 2007 Ranger clockwise around the route. I haven't read any post about this in the past. Has anyone done this and can you pass on any advice.

 

[TGK]

I drove a portion of the White Rim trail in Canyonlands back in July 1976 in a 2wd Datsun Pickup. We took a steep, nerve racking road from the rim up to the top of the Island in the Sky and, half way up, ran into some guy coming down in a Chrysler sedan. That was impressive. I wondered how the rest of his trip worked out. It was over July 4th (the bicentennial of the USA) and temps hit 100+. Great Trip. I think that it may have been in National Monument status at the time, prior to it becoming a National Park. Things were a bit looser then, no permits needed. Of course, that was then and this is now. I suspect things have changed a bit since. So, I actually don't have any good tips that would be helpful for your trim in April, other than enjoy yourself, as it is a truly beautiful place. Take some photos for posting and have a safe trip.

 

[chnlisle]

I think clock wise is the easier of the two ways to go. It certainly is the more scenic in the early part of the trip. Once you get to Murphy's you are in some pretty rugged very steep single track. We did it the other way in 2 Ram 2500's and a Taco all with 4WD. Its absolutely the most visually phenomenal place I've been to in Utah. Sun Man also did the trip last year I'm sure he'll have something to say.

 

[SunMan]

Agree with Chnlisle on going clockwise, seems most people go this route, there are a number of places where it would be hellish to meet up head on with another rig... I'd take the path of least resistance. Here's a trip report with some WRT info. Others (Chnlisle, KCOWYO) have posted trip reports too, you'll just need to do a search on it.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2464/

 

[dorocks]

Spent two and half days there. Take plenty of camera memory cards. It's a scenic feast. Walk out to the edges. You never know what is below each canyon edge. It came in the counterclockwise direction. As a photographer that made for good light.

The rangers assign the way you go in according to how many are out there. The solitude is great. Make sure you have water and a good spare. The only thing out there is bathrooms.

I found the road quite easy. I put on my 4wd once or twice. Probably did not need to. To soften your ride you can air down a bit, but only if you have your own way to air up again. Make sure you totally fill up your gas tank in Moab before the trip.

http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/White-Rim-Trail-Day-Two/10029977_C7Ldd#694498039_DghLK
http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Moab-Utah-2009/9938944_bxKCH#688981134_89ECY
http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/White-Rim-Trail-Day-One/10009194_GDoQc#684877824_vFTqq
http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/White-Rim-Trail-Day-Three/10120900_cJ8nV#695510433_DdS5o

Keith Barnes
La Mesa CA

 

[Jon&Sue_DeArman]

Thanks a lot everybody for the information. Sue & I are also both photographers and your images are spectacular. We had permits for both CW & CCW and we chose CW only because it seemed the normal direction to travel. I did not even think about the light. I guess we will just have to turn 180 at each stop. We have 3 full days to travel. Keith, if you are ever up here in the Northwest shooting, please give us a call.

Jon & Sue DeArman