OCR Text |
Show Al-- Wfoiffe Him Trail ; " jC Clockwise from top: - ni ??. -- The White Rim is a study in geological time. The Wingate Cliffs, seen in s the top of this photo, are one of the older layers and confine the entire Canyonlands basin. The cliffs give way to the Chinle Formation, the White and Organ Shale below they look different, the rim and shale are both part of the Rim it. Although drive The VTiite Rim trail, which is actually a is a loop that winds through some of the most scenic and road, remote areas of southern Utah. As the trail snakes a route through the park, there are views of the La Sal Mountains, The Needles, as well as several lesser known arches, canyons and rock formations. Running along the eastern flank of the trail is the Colorado River and on the western flank is the Green River. The vortex of the v is the confluence of the rivers. The White Rim itself is difficult to envision, and it is even harder to describe the geological forces that helped shape it. Think of it as a protruding sandstone shelf supporting the ruddy Wingate Cliffs above, with the rivers cutting their sinuous courses below. It gets its name from the chemical leeching d that takes place on its topmost layer, giving it a effect. Imagine the worlds largest cake with white frosting that and fall are high season, although winter trips has dripped down its sides and youll have an idea of what the slickrock, spring hardare becoming increasing popular with the White Rim looks like. core lot. SOUNDS cool; now what? The best way to get the date you want is to apply the year The first thing to consider is whether you want to do a comthe second Monday in July. All before during open season mercial or private trip. As mentioned earlier, the White Rim is entries postmarked for this day go into a box and two weeks a long trip, requiring overnight stays, a little camping knowlater are drawn in a lottery. Entries postmarked the second how and vehicle support. If you dont like to change your own in into the second lottery and so on. The reserflats, have a crummy sense of direction or dont trust your camp Tuesday July go fee for White Rim permits are $25, which covers up to vation cooking skills, commercial guided trips are your ticket. 15 people and three vehicles, and must be included with the Furthermore, the hired guidesslaves provide a welcome respite reservation entry. There is also a $10 park entrance fee for each from camp chores after a long day of hitting the dirt. There are vehicle. five commercial outfitters that offer White Rim trips, for a list, For reservation information or an on-liapplication form, check out the Canyonlands National Parks Website at check out the Park Services Website. The Park Service recomwww.nps govcany.html. mends listing alternate campsites on the reservation, which will For people who dont work well in organized formats (i.e., increase your chances of drawing a permit. If you missed the slackers, late night revelers or lollygaggers), private trips are the open season and would like to find out about remaining campway to go. Private trips are also recommended for those on a sites, call the Park Service at (435) Monday through budget or for people who take a perverse enjoyment in crambest and The between 8 time noon. a.m. to get a live perFriday, ming every imaginable piece of gear into one vehicle day after son on the other end is in the down time of late summer or day. The one major drawback for private trips is finding a driwinter. ver for the support vehicle. Many trips split the driving between The pace of the trip is something left up to the individual(s). riders or bribe a nonbiker to do it. While permits for backcountry use in the park are good for 14 If choosing the private route, it is important to know that the most opt to do the trip in four days. Some stay longer to White Rim is like a fancy restaurant on Saturday night: One days, all the extracurriculars or just to prolong their break in take cant just show up and expea to get in. There are only 17 campfrom reality. More disciplined groups can do the trip in three sites along the White Rim. Therefore, if you decide to do your which makes for some early mornings and lots of time in own trip, make reservations through the Park Service well in days, saddle. And yes, legend has it there arc even some the advance. Since summer temperatures can fry an egg on the who do it in one day, which for obvious reasons is not recommended. GEARING UP to popular belief, there is no right way or wrong Contrary White Rim. A clockwise or counterclockwise the do way to direction is acceptable, depending on campsite availability. Neither way is particularly easier. Regardless of which direction '& ' jr1 w is taken, the ride begins and ends at the Island in the Sky Visitor -A Center, off of Utah Highway 313. v r t If riding clockwise, the ride goes about two miles north from the visitors center on Hwy 313 and turns right onto the White Rim Trail. The Shafer Switchbacks, which descend about 1,000 feet to the rim, are right around the corner. If riding counterclockwise, the ride follows Hwy 313 north on pavement for about 9 miles. Then turn left onto Mineral Bottom Road fori 3 and for the most part unremiles of sandy possibly muddy markable unpaved road. The Horsethief Switchbacks, which also descend about 1 ,000 feet to the rim, are at the end of the the road. There is parking at the top of the Horsethief four-w'he- el Cutler Group. The differences were caused by the advance and retreat of many ancient seas. A room with a view: A tent looks out over Soda Springs Basin form atop Murphy's Hogback. The views from the hogback make the 500-foo- t climb worth the effort. The Green River, which flanks the west side of the rim, can often be seen and accessed from the trail. white-washe- hot-bloode- Nancy Rtchmonc d, - ne Totem Pole 259-435- 2, Monument Basin "Nuts and Bolls U Mi White Grade C Camp 111 Q Q l I I o super-huma- 8 Route In Route Miles e- lisa Snider Atchison An indispensable wealth of knowledge, tips probably ridden the White Rim 100 times. So-s- and trivia, this guy has The "Trails Illustrated" of the White Rim and other rides. Contains gradient profiles, trail difficulty ratings, contour lines, vegeta-tion areas and everything else under the sun. Also has pretty pictures if g is not your forte. map-readin- 10 a Cross Currents - March 19, 1999 www nps gov cnay hfml - Everything you need to know about the White afraid to ask. 4 i" .. aThe National Park Service Website: maps r 'w fan. Read up Above and Beyond Slickrock, by Todd Campbell x Rim but were "Moab West - Mountain Biking and Recreation" map - - - ns Missy Volet Switchbacks and many groups short on time or not thrilled with 22 miles of road riding before or after their trip, park a shuttle car here. When deciding on group members, choose carefully. One doesnt have to be an Olympian; the majority of the ride is on wide, dirt roads. However, there are three major climbs on the ride, Murphys Hogback, Hardscabble Hill and the final climb out on the last day. All of these can be crushers in the hot midday sun or at the end of an epic day of riding, hiking and sightseeing. Furthermore, mud and thick sand (such as on the Potato bottom stretch on the northwest side of the loop) can further bog down riders. Distance between campsites can be more than 30 miles, making for a long day on a small seat. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your group when booking campsites. Make sure there is room for a few saggers in the vehicles as well as a bike rack. Setting up camp in the dark let alone finding it is a drag. Since the VTute Rim is a good 100 miles from civilization, it is important to bring a dependable vehicle (or dependable mechanic). A tow out of the VTiite Rim can run $1,000. Although the driving is straightforward for the most part, there are some steep climbs, big rocks, hairy maneuvering and sandy washes that make drive a necessity. SUV's and trucks are the preferred mode due to their high clearance, although a Subaru Outback was seen on a recent trip. It is also important to fill up the tank when in Moab, this will be the last gas station I - - four-whe- el Nancy Richmond March 19, 1999 - Cross Currents all |