Moab Trip -- looking for info on trail info

[MilesTeg]

I'm headed to Moab this weekend for some wheeling. I was looking at doing the following trails:

• Onion Creek
• Long Canyon
• Schaffer/Potash
• White Rim (not full trail, just 1 day in+out from the Scaffer/Potash side)
• Sand Flats Road
• Gemini Bridges

I've found that Onx ratings/pictures often don't accurately represent trail conditions, so I was hoping to get some trail info from anyone that's done them recently. Is the OnX rating still accurate? Are any of those trails in such bad condition I should just avoid them? That kind of thing.

Also looking for recommendations on good hikes (1-5 miles total) that are accessible from those trails.

Thanks for any input.

Sponsored

 

[Rivers90]

I want to get out to Moad some time and have about the same trail list you have. Trails do change a lot.
I have been using "trails off road" to plan my trips. I don't know if their trail reviews are any more recent but I guess you could compare them.

 

[Gut]

Charles A Wells' books are excellent trail guides. They aren't going to give you current conditions, obviously, but are a great resource.

 

[BigBend530]

White Rim is permit only so you should look into that earlier then later.

I would strongly 2nd the Wells book recommendation. It made navigating roads/trails as easy as it could get when we were there.

 

[DarthLincoln]

BTW it’s “Shafer” trail not “Schaffer”.

It was June when I did Shafer/Potash, Long Canyon, and Gemini Bridges trails so I haven’t seen the conditions recently. All were easy, tho All-Trails Off-Road marks them as 2 or 3 instead of a 1 rating that OnX uses. Regardless, none are a challenge for a Badlands.

Both OnX and All-Trails do have reviews as recently as October.

I also recommend Charles Wells Moab book…and spending more days on Moab!

 

[MilesTeg]

White Rim is permit only so you should look into that earlier then later.

I would strongly 2nd the Wells book recommendation. It made navigating roads/trails as easy as it could get when we were there.

Yeah, I need to get those books. Lots of recs for them. Definitely on my list.

The white rim permits are sold at 8 am the before, and only 50 a day apparently, so we might not get them.

 

[MilesTeg]

BTW it’s “Shafer” trail not “Schaffer”.

It was June when I did Shafer/Potash, Long Canyon, and Gemini Bridges trails so I haven’t seen the conditions recently. All were easy, tho All-Trails Off-Road marks them as 2 or 3 instead of a 1 rating that OnX uses. Regardless, none are a challenge for a Badlands.

Both OnX and All-Trails do have reviews as recently as October.

I also recommend Charles Wells Moab book…and spending more days on Moab!

Gemini Bridges is the one that I am looking at that I am wondering about the most. It's about a right size challenge for my comfort/skill -- according to what I see on OnX. How are those rock ledges, in person? They don't look scary to me, in pictures, but I know sometimes pictures don't do things justice, hah.

This spring I did the Off-Rodeo in Moab and we did Dome Plateau which has what I think is a much steeper ledge/staircase with significantly taller shelfs. Do you know how they actually compare to that?

 

[DarthLincoln]

Gemini Bridges is the one that I am looking at that I am wondering about the most. It's about a right size challenge for my comfort/skill -- according to what I see on OnX. How are those rock ledges, in person? They don't look scary to me, in pictures, but I know sometimes pictures don't do things justice, hah.

This spring I did the Off-Rodeo in Moab and we did Dome Plateau which has what I think is a much steeper ledge/staircase with significantly taller shelfs. Do you know how they actually compare to that?

I also went to the Off-Rodeo in Moab on Dome Plateau and the tallest ledge we ran was definitely much taller than those on Gemini Bridges trail. On Gemini Bridges, I did take a line on the ledges which contacted a skidplate (2-door Badlands non-SAS) but nothing that held me up, and I could easily have bypassed it.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[MilesTeg]

I also went to the Off-Rodeo in Moab on Dome Plateau and the tallest ledge we ran was definitely much taller than those on Gemini Bridges trail. On Gemini Bridges, I did take a line on the ledges which contacted a skidplate (2-door Badlands non-SAS) but nothing that held me up, and I could easily have bypassed it.

Enjoy your trip!

Mine is a 2DR Badlands non-SAS too. I'm a chicken and will take the easiest line I can figure out without leaving the trail, hah

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

 

[Beggsie]

I'm headed to Moab this weekend for some wheeling. I was looking at doing the following trails:

• Onion Creek
• Long Canyon
• Schaffer/Potash
• White Rim (not full trail, just 1 day in+out from the Scaffer/Potash side)
• Sand Flats Road
• Gemini Bridges

I've found that Onx ratings/pictures often don't accurately represent trail conditions, so I was hoping to get some trail info from anyone that's done them recently. Is the OnX rating still accurate? Are any of those trails in such bad condition I should just avoid them? That kind of thing.

Also looking for recommendations on good hikes (1-5 miles total) that are accessible from those trails.

Thanks for any input.

Onion Creek is beautiful but very short out and back. Gemini Bridges (dont recommend) is just a long bumpy washboard road to see the bridges for 10 minutes. Potash/Schaffer trail is very long and very cool. If entering from Moab side, Schaffer ends up inside Canyonlands and you'll get to skip paying the park entrance fee, and can then finish your day enjoying Canyonlands. I've never done long canyon yet. Did a little White Rim portion in and back (highly recommend as it's beautiful).

 

[Mjasi3]

Get a subscription to trails off-road. Was more useful the onx when we went.

 

[JBKO]

You may want to take a look at the Trail Reviews left by folks on TrailsOffroad.com. Depending on the trail, there may be a recent review. Right now, the most recent review for Onion Creek is from three days ago. I'll usually check them before heading out, just to see if a trail has been closed, has damage, etc. Not 100% reliable, but at least it's a little bit of info that may help. FWIW, we did Onion Creek back in March, and it was a fun ride. It's not difficult at all, and it's just a easy scenic ride.

We also drove Long Canyon back in March, and it was a fun drive. My recommendation there is to drive it west to east, since it'll be downhill, but mostly because I think you get better views that way.

White Rim is an awesome trail as well, but that's one that's best done as part of a camping trip so you can take your time and not rush through it. You'll need a permit for the White Rim itself, but if you just plan on driving Shafer & Potash, you don't need one.

 

[jzweedyk]

Recent rains have left some washouts, but nothing dangerous. Trail listed are easy and scenic. You should have not problems. I agree the Wells books are the best. If you are going to do Shafer trail from Potash, then I would do Mineral Bottom to go into the white rim trail from the other way. You can go to Zues and Moses and back easily in a day. I just did it and the trail was fine. With the Government closed there is no entry fee to the parks, but permits are still required, although not checked often.

 

[MilesTeg]

Onion Creek is beautiful but very short out and back. Gemini Bridges (dont recommend) is just a long bumpy washboard road to see the bridges for 10 minutes. Potash/Schaffer trail is very long and very cool. If entering from Moab side, Schaffer ends up inside Canyonlands and you'll get to skip paying the park entrance fee, and can then finish your day enjoying Canyonlands. I've never done long canyon yet. Did a little White Rim portion in and back (highly recommend as it's beautiful).

I've been on Gemini Bridges from the Canyonlands side to the bridges. That is definitely what you say, a longish crappy road. Is it the same east/on the Moab side of the bridges?

 

[MilesTeg]

Recent rains have left some washouts, but nothing dangerous. Trail listed are easy and scenic. You should have not problems. I agree the Wells books are the best. If you are going to do Shafer trail from Potash, then I would do Mineral Bottom to go into the white rim trail from the other way. You can go to Zues and Moses and back easily in a day. I just did it and the trail was fine. With the Government closed there is no entry fee to the parks, but permits are still required, although not checked often.

I read some reviews that said the opposite end of the white rim trail from Shafer has some deep sand. Is that the Mineral Bottom way?

If it does have some deep sand, is it deep enough to cause me a problem in a stock Badlands? I have a particular fear of sand, it having been the only thing I've ever gotten stuck in that I didn't realize I could get stuck in (unlike a big mud pit, hah).

Thanks for the info!

Sponsored