May 30th – May 31st
Today is finally the day!!!
Today, May 30th, Gustavo finally gets to take his truck along the off-road trail called White Rim Road of Canyonlands National Park. White Rim Road is a 100-mile long off-road trail that loops around and below a mesa top and provides views of the entire surrounding area known as “Island in the Sky.” This road has been calling Gustavo’s name ever since he got his 4Runner and we have been dreaming of the backcountry of Canyonlands since our last visit in spring of 2016. When we last visited we were only able to do a short day hike because we were in my parents’ Hyundai Elantra. And although it was greatly appreciated that they let us take the car, it wasn’t very suitable for any off-roading. So now was our chance for an overnight adventure.
Since the road is so long we will be spending the night at one of the backcountry camping areas so we can take time to enjoy the views and get the entire experience.
We woke up at 7:00 am in order to pack up and prepare for our stay in the backcountry. We had breakfast at a cute café in Moab, Utah called Red Rock Café and although I didn’t get any photo of the café, I did snap some shots of the town. This place is super cool as it is surrounded by the red rock landscape of Arches National Park and only a short drive from the colorful canyons, mesas, and buttes of Canyonlands.

Moab is a great place to relax for the day, grab a bite between explorations, or, like it was for us, the perfect place to get situated and make sure we had everything we needed for our next adventure in the backcountry.

After fueling up we were ready to head out and see the park from a new perspective.

 

**Now, just a little side note: Usually I am really nervous about these off-road trails. They’re hard, steep, usually near or on the edge of huge cliffs, and if something breaks down or you fall off (the cliff) it is most likely going to be a while until somebody finds you. (NOT my cup of tea)
BUT, Gustavo assured me that this wasn’t truly a “4×4 trail” and that it was “hardly even off-road.” So I was really excited to actually get to enjoy this drive!
Or, so I thought…..**
So, we started this adventure from a road right outside the park called Mineral Road and it started off as a really great drive. It is a dirt road that is flat, kinda bumpy, but I was feelin’ it. Theeeeeen, we hit some switchbacks…. And I’m like W.T.F. Here’s a photo of part of the road, except you can’t see the rest of it because it’s completely downhill!!!

I take a look at the road, I don’t see any huge rocks or anything so I’m like whatever. Let’s go, I guess. I hope the brakes are good….
We make it down into the canyon safely and the view is gorgeous! You’re surrounded by huge mesas in every direction and the sky made it all feel unreal. (This took my mind off of the fact that I was probably getting myself into more than I expected)

But this part of the road took us along the bottom of the canyon as we followed the Green River and I will never forget the view.

The road continues with a little uphill and downhill but nothing too crazy so I relax and try to just enjoy it all.

In no time we make it down Taylor Canyon Road and to the backcountry campsite that we had a permit for. We prepare to set up camp for the night and take in the surroundings.

I took a 30 minute nap as Gustavo relaxed and read a magazine but when I got up I realized that it was only 4:00 pm and we were wasting precious daylight!! We hadn’t even covered a ¼ of the trail and we had heard about a spot up ahead that may not be passable because of flooding so we figured that we might as well get through that before the day ends and see if we can even continue on
So, we packed up and continued back on the road towards Upheaval Canyon. Once we got there Gustavo took off the boots and had to test how deep the water was to see if we could get through.

My opinion: The water was up to Gustavo’s knees, possibly too deep, shouldn’t risk getting stuck, let’s just turn back.
Gustavo’s opinion: “It’s totally fine, I’ll make it through no problem, let me set up the GoPro and make sure you get good shots!”
….. Obviously we’re worried about completely different things…..
Then, there he goes…

All I can do is stand there in shock as he gets lower & lower.

Thankfully, he made it out fine but I would not want to try our luck again on that one.

 

We pass through the canyon and head toward a section of the road called “Hardscrabble.” The name didn’t make sense until after we passed it, because you’re literally “scrabbling” from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the mesa and then back down again. (And believe me, it was HARD.)

I wasn’t able to get many photos of this part because I was too busy yelling at Gustavo about how he had said that this was an “easy” trail. I really couldn’t comprehend how it was considered “easy” even though he was currently crawling over rocks and boulders as he asks me to get out and spot him to make sure that he doesn’t drive off the side of a cliff….. (People really need to readjust the standards for easy. Just sayin’….)
However, through all of my worrying and crying this part of the trail did have a pretty sweet view so I guess it was semi-worth it.

Once we made it passed Hardscrabble the next campsite was at Potato Bottom and the sun was starting to go down so we decided to stop there for the night.

The next day we started bright and early because we had the rest of the trail to get through. The rest of the road is literally along the rim of the “Island in the Sky” mesa top and it was scary, but gorgeous to drive along.

Needless to say, this is definitely Gustavo’s thing and not mine. I was freaking out about 90% of the time and he was just having a blast.

We came out from the canyon on Shafer Trail Road and we made it back to the main road around 3:00 pm. It seemed as though it was just in time as it had just started to rain and you could see the storm rolling in.

Although it may not have been the most relaxing drive I’ve ever taken, this road gave us adventure, great views, and a wild ride to remember. (And just to be clear, White Rim Road definitely is a 4×4 trail and whatever forums Gustavo has been reading clearly need to be deleted and shut down.) I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. However, since Gustavo follows me into the woods, I guess I will have to compromise by joining him on these roads.
Thanks for reading! & for more photos keep scrolling & click!
Until next time!

Peace & Love,
Espe & Gustavo