Shafer Trail

A casual ride on the Shafer trail switchbacks in Canyonlands NP,

[@MrA1582000]

Did the Shafer Trail, then to Moab for supplies and back in order to continue to do the white Rim….38 years ago in an Izusu Trooper. Didn’t see a soul for 21/2 days. Camped in the middle of the road on the White Rim. The ride out was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. Was by myself so no spotter to help. One on the most beautiful nights of my almost 80 years with the full moon rising and the stars so close you felt you could touch them. A magical spiritual night. Gather memories around you, they make for the most pleasant elder years.

[@teresaforsyth6185]

Thanks for letting me come along. I was very grateful to sit here with old dog in my lap and enjoy the nice quiet instrumental music. The camera video was so very STABLE!!!!! I can only guess at how rough that trail must have been! This is an activity I'll never get to do, but I achieved it thru you! What beautiful views! I'm grateful.

[@francoutah]

Thank you for sharing. Back in the 80's, during Spring break, my dad would drop my brothers and I off at the top of the long steep pitch and we'd coast down on our BMX bikes. Our hands would be numb by the time we got to the bottom. We wouldn't see another human the whole time. It could be hot and dry one minute and then cold and wet the next - always windy. I'm so grateful my dad took us out on those adventures in his red Jeep. We had no idea how lucky we were.

[@2day2ride]

Thanks for sharing!

[@craigclarke3845]

My wife and I did this trail in April. Your video is great! We were in a hurry and raced down. We missed so much! All the beauty and the rest of our lives!

[@jamesmagers8306]

From Ohio. I've been vacationing in the west since mid 70s. I did a road similar to this in 76 in my Camaro but it was further south down by the Mexican Hat. Came around a curve and met someone coming the other way. We stopped, he looked down at my license plate and just started backing up until he thought I could get by. Was on the cliff side and I swear my tires hung over the edge an inch while creeping by. I was scared shirtless. Did it several years later and it wasn't as frightening. The road was much wider. Can't believe I haven't done this one. Utah is our fav vacation destination and now I have an excuse, as if I need one to go back out there. Thanks!!!

[@drmichaelshea]

I started life in La Sal in 1949 and when I see this place I know it is my home. But I don’t think I’ll ever be there again. As the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes, There is time to every purpose under the heaven…” For me, the time has come and gone. Thanks for the trip and for the musical reminder of the importance of place.

[@timburns8918]

Drove down this trail in a 150 Ford PU in 1972, it was close to an o-shit, then driving out the water had gone over road had closed the road . Got around by driving up into the sage brush. The sign they had put up about 4 wheel dive short wheelbase was at the start of the downhill, I would have to backed up about a mile or so no turn a rounds! no way !!!

[@rickevans831]

I drove this in a 4-Runner without really knowing what I was getting into and it was one of the top 5 memories of my life - I was so happy when I found you made a video of it

[@austinado16]

Amazing job shooting this and putting it together. Thank you! Quit an engineering marvel to cut a road into that, and maintain it, especially in that last view, looking back a where you'd come from. Crazy! Literally; driving down into the Grand Canyon. Great job and thanks for taking us along!

[@jimderksen1653]

This is in the Moab area of Utah. It is not the Grand Canyon.

[@utej.k.bemsel4777]

I was there over 30 years back! It was my first visit in the US, a bus tour round trip around the grand canyon, to Las Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco and back to LA. I will never forget it!

[@mikerichardson4015]

Drove this in 1995 in a hire 4x4, didn't notice until later that the insurance did not cover off road! Being a UK Landy driver, the automatic transmission added an extra level of, shall we say, entertainment. Anyway, great video, thanks.

[@joemanpjg]

Reminds me of the Moki Dugway Scenic Backway part of (Rt261) in Utah which leads down to RT163 which is about 42 miles from Monument Valley if going South.. Shafer trail drive looks like the real White Knuckle drive. Admired looking down at it when visiting Canyonlands NP. Moki Dugway only way to view it is drive it or see it on KZbin.. Great video...

[@hughwolfe1176]

A destination saved for when I get an off road capable vehicle… Thank you for sharing, subscribed.

[@2day2ride]

Welcome aboard!

[@hgj2019]

Thanks so much! A very beautiful drive. I do love Utah. I must say that the road looked fairly well maintained, with no indication of 4WD really needed. It did look as though there were a few spots where a low clearance car could have minor issues, but it looked very driveable in a 2WD pickup.

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

Depends on the recent weather. Shafer can get seriously torn up by flash flooding, so you should always check with the Park before heading out, especially in a 2WD. It could be very very challenging to turn around.

[@hgj2019]

@@FFelix-yf1ir certainly true of ANY road. Many years ago Ivisited Death Valley just after a THOUSAND YEAR flood that had damaged several paved roads, not unlike flooding there last year

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

True, but it makes me itch when people suggest this is a 2WD road when it definitely isn’t at least a few times a year…not just every 1000 years ;)

[@hgj2019]

@@FFelix-yf1ir much of it has to do with driver skill and judgement, as is evident by the popularity of off-road recovery YT channels. We have all seen very capable off road rigs get very stuck and/or damaged by operator error. What we don’t see is all the 2wd rigs that have successfully managed rough roads. Folks need to know their limitations, and many do not.

[@scratchsescape1978]

Did it in 2019. I was terrified all the way down. Been to all 50 States and Southern Utah is my favorite. Best video of the Shafer Trail I've viewed. Hope to hit the northern part of the San Rafael Swell in the fall.

[@MrA1582000]

Hope you make it, you will love it.

[@markcarey8426]

Brilliant! Love those iron/sandstone colours. Amazing bit of engineering, someone's moved a lot of rock. Looks very well maintained. From the lazyboy here I reckon I could do it my Toyota Corolla. 😊 (I live up a gravel road.) Thanks from NZ.

[@davarph]

Man, that’s an easy Mountain road to go down. Wish I lived closer. A beautiful drive.

[@2day2ride]

You can do it!

[@7113cole]

Thank you for posting this video. We did this in April of this year and I’ll never forget it. Kudos to the people who did this on bicycles, that was crazy. We ran into someone driving up the trail which snarled traffic. That was scary, four cars having to back up to allow him by.

[@BB-gp5ip]

Good memories .Did the Shafer trail last July in a Honda CRV. 2 1/2 hours to do it. Thought we got lost. Get really rough. Had to stop a few times to check if I would bottom out in areas. Looking back I would do it again in cooler weather

[@bradvansteinburg2962]

A good ride up on the mountain bike in mid 90s.

[@smt6556]

1n the 70's I took some scouts on a canoe trip from Green River to Mineral Bottom. My wife stayed in Moab with our kids and drove the van with the canoe trailer down this road to meet us 5 days later. As I looked up the road that she came down, my admiration for her driving skills increased a lot. It looked like the planners chose the sheerest cliff and said " let's build the road up that way."

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

This isn’t the Mineral Bottom road, which is on the other side of the mesa and drops to the Green River. Shafer is on the Colorado River side of the mesa. Mineral is even steeper than Shafer!

[@2day2ride]

Interesting ! ill add it to my bucket list then !

[@johnstilbert3772]

I didn't see any part of the road that looked like a high clearance vehicle would be required. I could easily see doing it in a Subaru.

[@nicksGLI]

I have to imagine that it would be rutted bad after a storm, so the forest service has to put that recommended/required on the sign incase some yahoo goes up and gets stuck before a grader hits the road. This is table top smooth in the dry/in the video

[@johnterry8890]

Thanks so much for sharing! I love this area of the States but don’t get there often enough so this is appreciated! Very relaxing and such beautiful country. Thanks again and stay safe

[@buech8311]

thanks a lot, it remind when I when in USA in 2015 and drive this trail, SO wonderfull

[@driveman6490]

Was just there today......6" of snow and very low visibility. I made it to the location at 4:35 of the video.....which coincidentally is the first place you see the sheer drop to the bottom of the canyon off to your left. Turning a F350 crew cab long bed around in the space the size of compact car becomes easy when the fear of making a big splat sound several hundred feet straight down is the alternative. I'll come back in the spring and make the drive in better conditions.

[@JamesAllmond]

My Ural would like that very much...May have to try it out. Thanks for the video!

[@shadowslayer505]

Awesome drive 👍

[@carolmurray-vq6mz]

Thanks for bringing me along on your fantastic drive!

[@2day2ride]

Glad you enjoyed it, Check out my Zion NP Scenic 360 Drive too, which is my best edit to date !

[@pedrovitsch]

What a ride! How beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing trip!

[@geraldsouthard7092]

Thanks for the video. We rode the Shafer a few years ago from the bottom up, after a lengthy ride in from Moab. Not sure that I would call it a “casual” ride. But certainly was memorable.

[@robertallen6710]

'Casual' it wasn't for me...sections of it had me wondering, if I had met up with an oncoming vehicle there was just about no way I could turn around or get around him...😵

[@a.m.graham6120]

Likewise, cycling up this trail was a highlight of my life! Not easy, but so memorable!

[@davidminter538]

WOW Thanks for the ride.

[@2day2ride]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@morrisyarnell6083]

Great soothing music. Although your video does indeed capture the essence of the trail I found it a bit more difficult. I am a bit fearful of heights and the drop off view overwhelms my vision of adventure. Thanks for sharing your experience with me as I did not take the opportunity to drive it.

[@siriosstar4789]

excellent quality video . 👍

[@2day2ride]

Thank you 👍

[@devoy1701]

Thanks for putting this together. The switchbacks don't look nearly as bad as the Tripadvisor reviews make them out to be.

[@2day2ride]

Glad you like them!

[@billmcroberts6566]

Reminds me of the Moki dug way, which isn’t too far from Canyon lands NP. Amazing job in making the video and the trail!

[@2day2ride]

on my list to do list !

[@clairea-t7045]

Oh the joys of mountain driving. So many roads like this in the mountains. Colorado seems to be full of them.

[@overwatchxrescue]

Such gorgeous views! Looks like an amazing drive.

[@pedalpetter5865]

Thank you Sir. Greetings from 🇩🇪

[@thomasrice4078]

Very enjoyable!

[@2day2ride]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@samstone446]

Beautiful place, stunning drive, thank you! What would have made it absolutely perfect for me is to hear the crunch of tyres on gravel instead of the music. ❤

[@2day2ride]

Next time!

[@rshutterbug47]

That's BEAUTIFUL !!!!!

[@siriosstar4789]

This is a super fun and exhilarating road . do not attempt unless you are sure of the condition of your brakes and or emergency brake . 😂 my wife freaked out as i giggled in an evil manner .

[@veronicaroach3667]

I find myself leaning over in my chair to the right as we go down this track - very nerve wracking - and I would need to turn around somewhere & get out of here asap !!!

[@2nd_of_3]

Really appreciate this pov. Not sure if I would be brave enough to try this. But I think we can do this with no problem. BIG Thanks ❤

[@kilokslr]

Stunning video. I couldn't help but wonder for awhile about the Jeep you came up upon and how it disappeared from view.

[@2day2ride]

The answer to let the jeep go is @18:51 :)

[@brianwallace6566]

Curious as to how many miles this ride was and how many feet of elevation lost. Be an awesome bike ride...up and. then back down or, for the truly demented, down and then back up!

[@cypriano8763]

rode it on the mtb, its a solid climb. the white rim is awesome

[@Nielsi2]

Stunning😊

[@sluggotinfantryman]

You can drive to Potash then turn around go back up. I actually prefer doing that.

[@liliannison6262]

Thank you for this magnificent hike and such a peaceful moment! How beautiful and impressive the Earth is... Thanks be to you for these delicious minutes, while I will never be able to go to such a natural setting. Best Regards from the Old World 🌍

[@user-oy1ui5nq9o]

❤

[@PEDALSnPROJECTS]

Pretty cool 😎

[@witosarlawadventureride]

mantap bang

[@richarddevaottien7724]

Nice music 😊

[@scampeezo]

Did you drive this in a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud... or has the image stabilization in a GoPro improved that much?

[@2day2ride]

Gopro 10 Hypersmooth

[@user-sn8yl5jd8f]

Greetings out of Africa! Highly enjoyable - thanks for sharing. Surely a 2x4 sedan will be able to do this trip?

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

Depends on the road condition-it’s not always this good!

[@user-jd9kg3pd9z]

The guardrails block the view.😂

[@2day2ride]

:)

[@sluggotinfantryman]

The road is way better maintained than 10 years ago.

[@MrA1582000]

That is an understatement.

[@user-ej2xc8tj5i]

This is beautiful - when did you actually do this ride? Doesn't seem like you encountered much traffic?

[@2day2ride]

after school started :)

[@joestremel6796]

Nice video! You documented this trail really well! Were you in a Jeep and could a full size truck navigate this trail? Thanks for sharing!

[@2day2ride]

time to test it out :)

[@morrismyers4509]

I did it in my full size f150. My wife was scared to death! It was amazing.

[@joestremel6796]

@@morrismyers4509 I appreciate your response. I’m running a 2019 RAM Power Wagon with an Alu Cab on it. Always better to get a little first hand insight. The camera angles can be deceiving at times.

[@bristleconepinus2378]

Is this the trail you can see from Island in The Sky?

[@proximacentorus8436]

Superbe promenade.Dommage qu'en France le bitume a tout envahi..

[@davidwilson1746]

What happened to the white car just before you on one of the hairpin curves?

[@2day2ride]

They were in a hurry to go down ! :)

[@dddoda]

With Potash Rd intersection seemingly so close, would have enjoyed you letting us see it up till then. But thanks for a remarkable trip. Just checked Google maps. Looks like Shafer Trail turns into Potash Rd, gets paved and even has a large mining operation at the bottom.

[@2day2ride]

Next time!

[@frankanddanasnyder3272]

Don't see any need for high clearance..very wide smooth road for 4 wheel

[@keithkuhn6404]

I keep looking to see the remains of vehicles that went over the edge.

[@2day2ride]

!

[@diggerbobvancamp3224]

Are quads or UTVs allowed on this road?

[@FFelix-yf1ir]

No!

[@JamesTaylor-pr4zf]

Thank you. btw, its trail not trial.

[@2day2ride]

hmm ...

[@gordonquickstad]

I’d sure like know what camera you used!

[@2day2ride]

GoPro 10 , Check out my Zion 360 Scenic drive video if you are looking to reframe in post !

[@gordonquickstad]

@@2day2rideThanks so much. Your video was outstanding!

[@tonyrowland9216]

this had to be done wit drone. I have been there. No way you could be that smooth in a vehicle.

[@SweetFruitionFarmandEcoHousing]

Some of the newest GoPro / action cameras have internal stabilization so you can be hiking or driving and it looks really stable.

[@ruthanneperry1623]

Better have extra gas

[@johnmalenchek6597]

I think my Honda CRV could do this road. Flat, no ruts and gravel

[@steveludwig4200]

What;s the speed record for driving this trail?

[@2day2ride]

:)

[@toadflax636]

You should try riding a mountain bike UP this prick. Be sure and be through trying to do such by March 15. Canyonlands starts hitting the 90s in April some years. May? Fogeddabouuut it !

[@jamesraymond1158]

Replace music with a few seconds of narration here and there about the history and natural history of the trail.

[@2day2ride]

I had to wiki it too ::) Can you share any intresting history of this trail ?

[@rshutterbug47]

That Would Have Ben Great, Except You Never Say A Single Word, So There For I Give You A THUMBS DOWN, What Shame The Video Was Great, Good Luck Were NOT The Only Ones Who Fell That Way

[@malloryjines5050]

Pray tell, how would you do it better? Just curious.

[@straceshow3212]

Please no more Hertz Tom Brady commercials!

[@2day2ride]

:)

[@artificialartist2]

Hello, I really liked your video, although I didn't give it a thumbs up even though the scenery was beautiful as well as the cinematography. The reason for not giving it a "like" is your beautiful music became too repetitious. For a video lasting over thirty minutes, the same song became monotonous. Hopefully in your next video, your soundtrack will broaden. Thank you for sharing and happy travels.

[@malloryjines5050]

We are all terribly sad that you couldn’t give it a thumbs up, even though the scenery was beautiful, blah blah blah. Question is would YOU HAVE HAD THE NUTS to have driven the road then posted a beautifully edited video on KZbin? I thought not.

[@2day2ride]

Feedback acknowledged, thanks