Jug Handle - Shafer trail loop

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On our last weekend in Moab and feeling fit we elected to attempt an epic ride; the Jug Handle - Shafer trail loop. This 62km loop ascends 990m from the Colorado river to the Island in the Sky and back down Long Canyon to the river. We started at the boat launch into the Colorado river on Potash road and wound our way past the potash evaporation ponds, that we had spied from the East Rim hike in Dead Horse Point park at the beginning of our vacation, gently climbing the gravel road past Thelma and Louise point to the entrance of Canyonlands National Park. At the beginning of our vacation, we watched in awe from the visitors center as vehicles wound there way up the Shafer trail switchbacks to reach the top of the canyon, 1240 feet in 3 miles. Now we had ridden up the Shafer trail. Riding from Canyonlands National Park to Dead Horse Point State park on smooth pavement offers relief from the bumpy dirt roads. Branching off the pavement onto washboard gravel we headed to Long Canyon, a spectacular 5 mile downhill 4x4 road to The Jug Handle Arch. Sandy's battery ran out at 60km but fortunately the last few kilometers were downhill back to the boat launch. An epic and fitting ride to end our vacation in Moab.

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Photos

Potash evaporation ponds
Thirsty work

Up there!
To the top of the canyon we go

Thelma & Louise Point
At the end of the movie, T & L launch there convertible off the egde

Shafter trail,
Up to the Island in the Sky, Canyonland

Long Canyon road
About to ride Long Canyon

Pucker Pass
Big enough to get a Jeep through

Left curve
Long Canyon

Jug Handle arch
End of loop is in sight

Comments

[Dancing Dave]

Brilliant
I've posted this in the Follow that Road thread in the Photography Forum. Check it out.