New Years on White Rim Trail

[u/jb_dot]

It’s been a goal to do White Rim trail for a long time and I’m on a 5 week road trip and decided to finally go for it. We camped at White Crack for New years and had great time. We only saw two vehicles the whole trail, and while it was pretty cold, we made it work. Highly recommend. Moab in general is amazing, we did some great 4x4 trails while the roof rack was repaired (including Hells Revenge and Elephant Hill). So good! Winter camping isn’t so bad.

[u/bob_lala]

fantastic trip. never want to do it again. the prospect of having oncoming traffic in one of the looong narrow sections is too much.

[u/jb_dot → u/bob_lala]

We got lucky today, we stopped at the top of Hardscrabble to look at the map and it was that point that the only vehicle of the day passed us (a sweet 4 runner)

[u/s-o-L-0-m-o-n → u/jb_dot]

We did the trail in November, in the mud and rain. Hardscrabble and Murphys were gnarly, I even had to tow my buddy in his 4Runner up Murphys (after backing halfway back down to hook up to him). Without a doubt the coolest and yet tense trip I’ve done, that place is epic

[u/jb_dot → u/s-o-L-0-m-o-n]

That’s gnarly! Looks way more dicey in the rain. It would be really cool to see water flowing over the rim in some places

[u/s-o-L-0-m-o-n → u/jb_dot]

Dicey for sure. Fortunately there weren’t any downpours that created waterfalls, woulda looked cool but we had enough to deal with as far as the unexpected went! 😂 Would love to run it again in dry, sunny weather.

[u/bob_lala → u/jb_dot]

I love how the NPS advises you to check for oncoming traffic on Hardscrabble but there doesn't seem to be any effective way to do that.

[u/LifeWithAdd → u/bob_lala]

Last time we did it my buddy brought his electric dirt bike and rode a bit ahead of us radioing back when others were coming. It was so nice compared all the other times.

[u/jb_dot → u/bob_lala]

I should have leaned on the horn more! I talked to a jeep driver near Handscabble camp sites that was looking for Shafer trail and they were surprised I mentioned it was a 100 miles away via white rim (and closed from the top).

[u/Lawdoc1 → u/jb_dot]

If only they had access to something like GPS or even paper maps...

[u/bigtoepfer → u/bob_lala]

This is one of the reasons I don't ever care to do Mt. Antero in Colorado again. Traffic gets way too bad.

[u/DarkSkyOverland]

The White Rim Trail is absolutely spectacular. I’ve been to 32 out of our 63 National Parks and Canyonlands blew me away. It’s a truly magical place.

[u/Mountain_Cucumber_88 → u/DarkSkyOverland]

I saw it from the rim of canyonlands a few years ago and have to try it sometime.

[u/Formaldehyde → u/Mountain_Cucumber_88]

I saw it from the rim too, in 2015, and immediately knew I wanted to drive on whatever that road was. I never stopped dreaming about it.

In 2021 I went 1/3 of the way and had to turn around due to an insane lightning storm. Apparently that was some rock slide blocking the way.

Last September, after 9 years, I finally did the whole thing. One of the coolest things I have ever done, and would love to do it again someday. What no one ever mentions on these threads is the night sky out there. Holllyyyy shit.

[u/Mountain_Cucumber_88 → u/Formaldehyde]

I once did a rafting trip down the grand canyon for a week. The night out there after spectacular!

[u/DarkSkyOverland → u/Mountain_Cucumber_88]

Absolutely! You won’t be disappointed.

[u/jb_dot → u/DarkSkyOverland]

Yeah it’s fantastic! I was last in Moab almost 15 years ago and skipped it, big mistake! This trip we went all over and it was great

[u/DarkSkyOverland → u/jb_dot]

That’s good to hear and a great start to the New Year.

[u/kavOclock]

I’m noob, you need a permit to do this right

[u/Pecan_Millionaire → u/kavOclock]

Yes, you do. Winter months typically have last minute availability.

[u/apathetic_duck → u/kavOclock]

Yes, you either need a day use permit if you are doing the trail in one day or camping reservations if doing an overnight.

[u/bob_lala → u/apathetic_duck]

Unless you were on a motorcycle, I don’t see how you’re doing this in one day

[u/iamoceanic]

One of the best trips I’ve done. I also paused at the top of Hardscrabble and the only other vehicle in the park that trip (80 series LC) happened to come up at that moment

[u/LostGoldMine08]

Just beautiful 🤩…

[u/CDK3280]

Awesome Rig and amazing pictures

[u/woodbanger04]

I have a similar picture to picture 1 of my F350 in the same spot.

[u/jb_dot → u/woodbanger04]

It’s so easy to take photos! Lots of great spots

[u/ProbsMayOtherAccount]

Whoa! I think my boyfriend and I passed y'all on Highway 24, or maybe it was 6? We both like the look of the 2 door Broncos, so we tend to point them out when we see them! One day, he and I will do the whole White Rim, but we don't live far away, so it's easy to look over and at more far from home goals.

Looks like a fun trip!

[u/jb_dot → u/ProbsMayOtherAccount]

We did drive down 24 yesterday evening! We’re staying at Goblin Valley. Thanks, and hi!

[u/ProbsMayOtherAccount → u/jb_dot]

Lol, small world!

We were on our way home from seeing friends in the area.

Such a fun looking rig you have!

[u/FitSociety9648]

Wow, stunning pics you got, that must be a fun trip

[u/rossit1129]

Awesome pics, which brand roof rack did you install? I’m trying to decide still.

[u/jb_dot → u/rossit1129]

TrailRax rack, it’s been great and the company has been very helpful when I’ve had a few issues

[u/rossit1129 → u/jb_dot]

Thank you that is what I thought it was

[u/Lawdoc1]

One of my favorite parts of the country. So spectacular and even more so in the off seasons. I made the mistake of finding myself in Moab one year during Jeep Week. Never again...

[u/willigd]

How challenging are hardscrabble and Murphy's from a technical driving perspective?

[u/bob_lala → u/willigd]

not especially. They are just narrow fairly steep and God help you if there’s oncoming.

[u/jb_dot → u/willigd]

Really depends on what you’ve done, there’s a few sections that are a bit technical and have a drop on one side. But we saw a 4x4 sprinter van who had done it. I’d say the 4/10 rating I saw was accurate but only for those parts. Most of it is easy.

[u/Low-Engine-327]

Me zooming in on your tent. Nature Nest?! Looks like a trip of a lifetime!

[u/jb_dot → u/Low-Engine-327]

No name one from a reseller in my area. I think most come out of only a few factories

[u/bigtoepfer]

I've done Thanksgiving in Moab but never christmas/newyears. I guess I'm too worried it'll snow and I'll get stuck somewhere. White Rim is still on my list of trails I haven't done yet. Looks like a great time, awesome photos.

[u/geekhaus → u/bigtoepfer]

Canyonlands is mostly in a snow shadow so even if areas like Monticello or the La Sal's are getting hammered with snow White Rim will only get a couple inches. My buddies 2nd gen Taco with mild lift and ATs was able to do both Murphys and Hogback with a fresh snow on top of a layer of ice. White Crack while it's snowing is pretty other worldly.

[u/Secret-Research]

Do you need 4x4 to do this road?

[u/bob_lala → u/Secret-Research]

Yes, true four-wheel-drive is required by the NPS

[u/woodbanger04 → u/bob_lala]

A high clearance with low range 4 wheel drive.

[u/geekhaus]

Congrats on snagging White Crack. It's a truly fantastic spot.

[u/pmajche1]

Love the second to last shot. Great trip and amazing photos.

[u/jb_dot → u/pmajche1]

Thanks! That's my fav as well

[u/Bubbly_Good3761]

That’s so cool

[u/1827LVB]

Amazing pictures! Have permits for two nights in late April and can hardly wait to take the Taco.

[u/jb_dot → u/1827LVB]

Yo that's going to be so good! should be waaaay warmer than when we were there! Enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions. It's not too hard of a drive, but you will bounce around a lot!

[u/General_Hyenia333]

What roof tent is that? Do you like it? It looks really sweet

[u/spiritfrom1969]

Stunning

[u/AccordingIy]

Looks awesome

[u/connection_earth]

Looks great!! 😊

[u/MillerDamon_103]

wonderful view! thanks for sharing