MUST Watch Before Driving Shafer Trail Near Moab Utah

Have you ever heard of Shafer Trail? It is one of my favorite offroad drives in America. Check out this video to see why.

[@desertdog185]

Wow. I mean WOW!,

[@rollinmckim4719]

Absolutely LOVE your overheads and the perspectives they illustrate.......been up and down Schafer 5-6 times over the years, but never have seen it like that. Brings it even more to life. Thanks for the fine visit back there with you!

[@dennisprince6454]

We drove the Shafer Trail in 2019 in Model T Fords (1925-27) it was a great drive and spectacular scenery.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Wait what??? Model T? That’s absolutely fabulous! I would loved to have passed your group on the trail.

[@steinbergerphoto]

As much as I love the drone perspective it's too bad you can't respect the rules of National Parks. Hope they won't come after you... The penalties for violating the ban against drone flight in National Parks are up to six months of jail time and a fine of up to $5000.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you for watching : )

[@christophertran8896]

Much appreciated the introduction…very inspirational and breathtaking. I will be there in October, priming up my Jeep to Utah standards. Utah is deadly but breathtakingly beautiful…so many sites to experience…refining my trip…doing a R2R at the beginning and later half of the trip. Look forward to your other videos…keep up the great work. 👍 Loved the drone shots.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank for watching! Wishing you all the best on your adventure to the area 🗺️

[@bobvincent4841]

Hate to be smart a$$ but, 'it doesn't do any damage to the offroad area because' the vegetation 4:02 is all hard packed. I would stay on the designated roads and trails so that we all can continue to enjoy it. Good video though. Nice drone shots. When we ran it, we started at long canyon, did schaefer, and went back to Moab on Potash. Very breathtaking going down because we could better see where our road was going to go way down in the bottom. I agree it's a must do. Mini van could do all 3 but a must see.

[@danielgriffith3633]

It's an AMAZING trail, was just there a month ago in my '19 Cherokee Trailhawk (stock) , had no problem. The Potash Rd is paved for awhile, then turns to dirt. After 10 miles or so you are officially in the canyonlands park, this then becomes the Shafer Trail. Fairly easy trail, bit bumpy (like cobblestone) so 10-15 mph generally- you def should have more ground clearance than a car. The climb out is lil freaky (sometimes) at the hairpin turns on the switchbacks...the trail is actually at it's smoothest on the climb out, thankfully...otherwise it's gravy. Good video dude !

[@DavidWaldrip]

Good description of the trail. I always liked the cherokee trailhawks. I appreciate you watching and commenting! Keep on rockin!

[@robertreynolds1044]

I did this as a downhill with my Fisher Excalibur 30 years ago. No suspension, rigid steel fork, a helluva bone-core shaking ride, then out past the evaporation ponds and the nuke site. There used to be a very cool spot on the paved part back to Moab, Jughandle arch,which also had petroglyphs, pictographs, and best of all, two huge boulders with dinosaur footprints, both negative and positive impressions. I was driving out there a few years ago and the arch had collapsed and destroyed everything! My name is Bicycle Bob and I approved this message.

[@fijagorockabilly4527]

Just came across this.. we went down it in a rental Kia Sportage accidentally on purpose! We were on vacation from the UK and I just wanted a better photo of Dead Horse Bend. Asked for directions down into the canyon, got them and proceeded..... the most terrifying thing ever but I'd do it again!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Now your adventure sounds like it was super exciting! I am impress that you when on the entire trail in a Sportage. Thank you for watching the video. I am glad you had fun on Shafer Trail : )

[@MOAB-UT]

You're lucky you didn't get $1,000 ticket. Most of the rental companies now have GPS on nearly all of their vehicles. I know this is very true of the places that rent in MOAB- just ask, they will tell you proudly. It's so dialed in now, they even get text alerts when you venture off-road...so no, your car wash isn't going to fool anyone- or maybe "this time" it did! Also, it's only slightly terrifying the first time- after 2x's driving it, it's really nothing at all. Now head out on the White Rim trail just before - that ledge is much more terrifying...as can be Hell's Revenge and some of the more challenging trails- like Moab Rim. No shortage of adventgures in that area. What you did is actually quite mild compared to what you can do out there.

[@fijagorockabilly4527]

@@MOAB-UT The car was rented in Denver so I doubt they were checking! Nice to know for the future though.

[@philipmarr7325]

Nice vid. Ill be there later this year. Riding a bike w/ passenger on back. These vids are great for pre-scouting the easier stuff.

[@DavidWaldrip]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Have a great ride! 🏍️

[@mikethompson7406]

Nice, we just camped at that campground on the right @ 1:25 four weeks ago. So many people climbing there, it was fun to watch.

[@DavidWaldrip]

That’s awesome! I’ve never camped along the route but it would be fun. Especially seeing all the climbers.

[@nephimcknight5832]

Cannot wait to take my 4runner here later this year! Absolutely beautiful

[@DavidWaldrip]

You will have a blast! Enjoy the drive 🏜️ Thx for watching

[@rickgonzales1219]

That was a great video what time of year was your video taken. If I may ask. I have a gladiator on 33s yours looks great.

[@DavidWaldrip]

September- 33’s are a good 🛞 size. Thank you for watching! Stay tuned for more 🎥

[@anthonyrenaud5783]

Yeah, the Shafer Trail is always awesome. I've done it many times. Nice video.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Yoi got that right. Wonderful off-road drive. I appreciate you watching!

[@steeleman910]

Sir, this is such a good video! The drone shots are breathtaking!! We are so lucky to live in a country will such amazing places to go!! Excellent job and entertaining to boot!!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you Steele Man! Your are right the USA is such a breathtaking place!!

[@johncarter9489]

Just competed Potash-Shaffer. Potash was a blast. The switchbacks were a totally different thing. I hate heights and I unlocked acrophobia for my wife, lol. I flew up those switchbacks to get them over with. Won’t be doing those ever again.

[@DavidWaldrip]

You did it! That’s a big accomplishment for someone who doesn’t like heights. Good call going up versus down. Down is worse. Hope your wife has forgiven you 🤣 Thank you for watching!

[@larryfisher5796]

I lived in Utah for 21years we used to spend a lot of time in that area .I MISS IT TRULY GODS COUNTRY BEAUTIFUL DOWN THERE we had a Jeep C-5

[@DavidWaldrip]

Larry I could not agree with you more. Such a people part of the country. Maybe you could return for a visit sometime... 🗺

[@kathyg.5742]

New subscriber. Love your video, looking forward to more. Hubby and I have a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Had lots of fun Jeeping in Arizona, someday we hope to go Jeeping in Moab. Awesome!

[@Aviator168]

I drove up the trail less than a month ago and we had a blast. BTW. How did you get those over head shots as drones are forbidden there?

[@DavidWaldrip]

Nice! For some it can be a bit scary but glad you did it. We must OBEY the rules 😎

[@jross13450]

I went down and it took me 2.5 hours. Your drone shots were nice. Gave a great view. Headed down sure had some pucker moments for me since I hate heights. My damn GoPro overheated just before the bottom of Shafer Trail so i couldnt record the full drive

[@DavidWaldrip]

Hey Jeoffry I believe going down ( Canyonlands to Moab ) is scarier than going up. Especially if you don’t love heights. Glad you made it. Thanks for watching!

[@leemurrah278]

Tell me about your Gladiator. Looking to buy one. You mentioned 35" tires in the video. Were you able to fit them without a lift kit? I am told you can. I am changing from a Wrangler Unlimted Rubicon with 3.5 lift and 35" tires because I am gettng older and climbing into the Jeep is getting harder. But I do want some extra clearance.

[@DavidWaldrip]

35’s fit easily without a lift. Now I have the 2 inch Mopar lift with 37’s. 35 better as far as mpg goes. 35 is probably the sweet spot for Gladiator tires depending on your plans. I would recommend Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with 35’s for you 😎 I love mine. Would probably enjoy it as a diesel as well.

[@kellyparsons9892]

This Trail , Do you have to have a four wheel drive to do it ? We did Bear Tooth Pass in Montana leading into Yellowstone , with a rental - Would love too this one too , coming in Sept ?

[@debrabalawajder2617]

Our first jeep trail! Love that area and love your video and music!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you soooo much for watching! Great choice for your FIRST Jeep trail.

[@lothar1080]

Lucky you didn't get caught with that drone. Great footage though!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Lucky me! Thank you for watching

[@TxJK18]

Its a fairly easy trail. I did it with a stock Cherokee KL and Stock JK 2 door Rubicon. We also did thr white rim road. That one was a little more challenging and better views 250 miles of dirt

[@DavidWaldrip]

Rock and roll. Glad you had fun on the trail!

[@njsongwriter]

I thought drones were not permitted in national parks...? Can I do this in an AWD Kia Sedona?

[@DavidWaldrip]

I’m not familiar with a Kia Sedona but if you have a bit more ground clearance than a 4 door sedan you can most likely make it. Might scrub in some places.

[@chicnwing4519]

Most of that trail is not in the park just the last few miles

[@marsenstudio2208]

Just did this descent this afternoon… half way down we decided to go back to see the actual park lol

[@DavidWaldrip]

The park is nice too : )

[@Murfdigidy]

Awesome editing and cool video David, did this back to Moad and descended from canyonlands and let me tell I was white knuckling the steering wheel in spots. Anyone doing Potash back to Moab absolutely needs a 4 wheel drive and highly suggest high clearance. Road was super rough and washed out in spots. Did this in Aug-21, took us just under 2.5hrs Trip of a lifetime! So happy I did it, so beautiful so desolate. Great job capturing just how beautiful and cool this trail is.

[@DavidWaldrip]

You have seen first hand what a great road this is to travel. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride. Descending in from Canyonlands is quite the experience. I did it twice on a motorcycle and once in the Jeep. Both ways were a bit scary!

[@patandjessicasjeepadventur3227]

Did you not air down or is that something you don’t do It will definitely make your drive more comfy

[@DavidWaldrip]

I was pretty comfortable. I did not air down for this road.

[@ahbenjamin2889]

Great video ... thank you very much. The music was appropriate and it was not distracting like other videos.

[@hazelatina]

Absolutely FANTASTIC video!!!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you SO MUCH for watching Ana! I am happy you enjoyed it : )

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

Just came across your channel and I had to subscribe. Your videos are great and this place is so beautiful. I would be too scared to drive my car up there but it was nice to see you drive it up there.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Kaltrina! I love your unique name! Thank you for watching and subscribing : ) It is a bit scary in some parts but I believe you could handle driving it.

[@alexgelot5728]

just did this drive coming from canyonlands to the potash mine. nerve racking especially in a rental rav 4

[@DavidWaldrip]

Rock and roll! It’s tougher “going down”. Glad you gave it a go!

[@alexgelot5728]

@@DavidWaldrip hardest thing for me was getting my parents to quit saying I made a bad decision to go down it. Def have to do it again.

[@lakayken8]

Thanks for sharing. We will go there next week. Looks like u flying ur drone too. Is it allowed to fly drone?

[@michaelhopwood1179]

From the NPS website - “Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) The use of unmanned aircraft is prohibited to protect public safety, minimize visitor-use conflicts, and prevent unacceptable impacts to scenic values, natural soundscapes, and wildlife. “

[@bobberube679]

Is the Shaeffer Trail part of the White Rim Trail?

[@DavidWaldrip]

I don’t believe so.

[@SurfaceWeb]

Great video! Did you experience anyone coming down as you were headed up? How difficult would it be for 2 vehicles to pass each other?

[@DavidWaldrip]

You can see people coming so you just pull over and give space to pass. The rule is the person going up has the right of way on the trail. It is a really fun drive!

[@garrettaho]

Awesome video man!! Can’t wait to do this in the near future!!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Go for it Garrett! You’ll have a blast 🏜

[@lakayken8]

So flying drone is allowed in that area?

[@justlivelovelaughfrugally]

My heart was raving watching this. You are brave! hmmmm, I think I will stay in the city lol

[@DavidWaldrip]

You could do it! Sometimes it is fun to watch videos like this from the comfort of our cities : )

[@justlivelovelaughfrugally]

@@DavidWaldrip Nope! lol. I will leave that to the brave young souls like you! The city is great 😪😂

[@brandonmartin506]

You stand a better chance of getting killed in a city than on trails lol

[@DavidWaldrip]

@@brandonmartin506 You are absolutely correct.

[@reddragon9708]

Don't do it! Stay home. This guy don't know what's going on. Nothing to see here city people. Just rock and dirt

[@rangerbatt275]

Be careful if you have a Drone, they are prohibited in National Parks

[@DavidWaldrip]

I risk it all for you and my other viewers.

[@derweibhai]

Schafer is not off-road, lots of things in Moab are, but Schafer is just a gravel road. Pretty good one at that.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Not paved = Off-road thx for watching

[@golden777empire]

Do you need a permit to fly your drone there?

[@DavidWaldrip]

What’s a permit? 😉

[@popu2112]

Do they allow drones in Shafers trail ?

[@DavidWaldrip]

I didn’t ask… thanks for watching!

[@itsmyleggz]

Would you know if a tundra pro or a full size truck can do this trial? Only asking because it's wider and longer thanks, and great video

[@DavidWaldrip]

Absolutely it could do this trail.

[@itsmyleggz]

@@DavidWaldrip you made my day lol.... now all I have to do is drive down there from Minnesota hahahah

[@chicnwing4519]

We did it in Oct. 2020 in a Chevy 2500 crew cab no problems

[@mmarpfm1]

Hello great video, how are you able to use a drone in the national Park?

[@DavidWaldrip]

Hello. Just crank up and go fly. Easy peazy. Thanks for watching : )

[@mmarpfm1]

I'm sorry I asked a question wrong. What I'm asking is how do you legally fly it did they change the law.? You cannot operate a drone from a national park, you can only operate it from outside. NPS's website reiterates that pilots must fly Line of Sight according to the FAA, but without a formal and technical definition of Line of Sight, it is open to interpretation.Oct 5, 2021

[@DavidWaldrip]

@@mmarpfm1 No clue my friend. Just sharing my adventures. Thank you for watching.

[@maxmodo936]

Did you drive the entire white rim trail or just out and back of shafer trail?

[@DavidWaldrip]

Hey Max I drove from Moab via Shafer Trail to Canyonlands National Park. I did not do white rim trail.

[@attidack]

mix your gopro mic in mono, or make sure its playing through both channels

[@DavidWaldrip]

I will look into that. Thank you for the feedback.

[@bobfisher3331]

Awesome Views! thanks

[@DavidWaldrip]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nict5828]

What are the tires pressure?

[@DavidWaldrip]

No clue. I just hit the ground running full speed.

[@nict5828]

@@DavidWaldrip Looks good. You're the man. Awesome video.

[@davidhammer154]

We did it going downhill and it is insane

[@DavidWaldrip]

Downhill is quite the experience! Glad you made it 🤠

[@douglasfitzthum9421]

Love the drone footage......... good stuff ! 😁

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you my friend!

[@jakepawlak2071]

I’m not gonna narc to the NPS, but the shafer trail is within the canyonlands park boundary and drones are not allowed in the park.

[@mr.unknownone]

Yep. Heavy fines for flying a drone in National Parks.

[@johnnypoveda6557]

David, very nice video ... thanks for share.

[@jshepard152]

5:14 Gotta love Moab.

[@DavidWaldrip]

For sure! 🗺️ 🪨

[@MikeNelson1953]

You drive an off-road vehicle in flip-flops? BWAAAAHAHAHAHAH!

[@mikerobbins5049]

We have always gone Down the Schaffer Switchbacks.

[@DavidWaldrip]

It’s a great drive! I find coming down is a bit scarier than going up.

[@_Upgrayedd]

I drove this and potash road in a honda hrv.

[@adventurelifewithbob2960]

Great video! Please check out my off-roading videos on Moab and other Southern Utah areas. I think you will enjoy them.

[@swiftybal3965]

Going there next month 👀

[@DavidWaldrip]

Nice! Wear sunscreen 🧴 and have a blast!

[@MrSKOHC]

David, I'm new! Talk to me about your antenna please.

[@DavidWaldrip]

Welcome! I’m glad you are here. The antenna is a cell booster. It gives me about two extra bars of services whenever I am in remote locations. The brand is weBoost. weBoost Drive 4G-X OTR (470210) Truck Cell Phone Signal Booster www.amazon.com/dp/B01GDZLUJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_vcpeGbDY6JRDH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@MrSKOHC]

@@DavidWaldrip ordering right now! Thank you!

[@nothinbuthits9324]

Just what I was looking for and needed. Headed over there in a few days and with the 2020 Explorer ST and new drone. Can't wait to capture some aerial footage. Thanks for info!

[@DavidWaldrip]

Glad I could help! Have fun and enjoy your adventure!

[@ExpeditionConnexion]

Awesome vids man! If you get a chance check out our IG @ExpeditionConnexion, would love to feature some of your epic adventures.

[@TheDadofThem]

Nice video!! But a “man bun”?

[@brianbentley3197]

dope

[@DavidWaldrip]

Thank you!

[@reddragon9708]

All lies! Nobody go here. Just rock and dirt. Stay in the city where there are things to do. Please Stay away

[@DavidWaldrip]

LOL! Good advice : )

[@JayDee25895]

goofy looking girl bun.