White Rim Trail Day Trip to Lathrop Canyon & Shafer Switchbacks

The world famous White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah is on the menu, along with a stunning sidetrip to Lathrop Canyon down to the Colorado River and then back up the Shafer Trail Switchbacks. This is one great day trip option if you just have one day and don't have time to do the full 100-mile trail. The road is slow going, requires a permit from the NPS, and requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. After traveling thousands of miles over stunning 4x4 terrain, the White Rim Trail continues to be one of my all-time favorite destinations!
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Permits & Map to Lathrop
01:56 Bighorn Sheep!
02:15 Descent into the Canyon
09:15 Colorado River
09:50 Lunch time on the Traeger
12:02 Back to the White Rim Trail
13:20 Musselman Arch
16:04 Shafer Trail Switchbacks
17:39 Glorious Views

[@roydeuvall4336]

Did Lathrop first time in 1995, .. must say that sky would worry me a little! Well done, very nice video.

[@xpadventure]

Thanks for watching Roy! It’s a fun side trip off of the White Rim but it takes a lot longer than you’d think, doesn’t it?

[@robingonzalez1210]

Awesome video, thank you, can't wait for July 2023, my wife and I are planning to see all that, it's going to be our first time. Can't wait. Keep inspiring people like me. God bless.

[@xpadventure]

Thanks Robin! You’ll love it! It’ll be plenty hot in July so make sure to bring lots of cold drinks and water. It will be an incredible experience.

[@Babakati]

Can a stock 4 runner ( rental ) do this trail ?

[@xpadventure]

Thanks for watching! Yes, a stock 4Runner or Jeep will have zero problems on this trail. There is one small obstacle but just go nice and slow. You shouldn’t scrape.

[@silverbulletz06]

How long for the whole day trip from Moab to the canyon, back to moab? Thanks

[@xpadventure]

It’s definitely an all day trip from and back to Moab - take the Potash Road on your way out and Schafer Trail on the way back. It’s a great day trip!

[@silverbulletz06]

@@xpadventure thankyou!!

[@silverbulletz06]

@@xpadventure I can't thank you enough, we didn't do white rim because of our pup but the direction you said to enter/exit that area was absolutely amazing!! It kept getting better and better, and the final climb was unreal. Thank you again!

[@TJHunter0]

Sorry to be that guy, but you're supposed to keep off the arches. From the NPS website: "To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park." www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm

[@xpadventure]

You’re absolutely right. Thanks for the reminder.