White Rim Trail, Utah -- Canyonlands National Park 3-Day Off-Road Adventure

The only sound is the rush of wind and the ice shifting in your filled-to-the-brim cooler, overflowing with food, water, and provisions (snacks) to last three days. Dropping off the mesa and into the backcountry is a steep and sharp warning that Southern Utah is a rough and rugged land; tread lightly.

The White Rim Road, more often referred to and accurately described, the White Rim Trail, is a 72-mile traverse across the expansive White Rim sandstone plateau. National Park signs warning travelers of the extreme terrain ahead often outnumber travelers.

Construction of the high-clearance Jeep trail began in the 1950s at the height of the race to build more and more nuclear weapons. The Atomic Energy Commission helped clear a path, providing uranium prospectors access to the remote landscape. The speculative effort mostly proved futile as projected uranium deposits never materialized though highly productive mines in the region produced sufficient uranium, enough to build nukes for 100 wars.

In 1964, Congress formed Canyonlands National Park, preserving the now accessible ruggedly wild but fragile landscape as visitor numbers and traffic increased.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
 

Further Reading

Though it was only May when our caravan made our down the mesa and onto the plateau, it was already hot in the high desert. A few miles into the trip and the vehicles are dust-covered, pinkish-red from the surrounding foreign landscape. Packing enough (extra even) water and a tarp to provide an escape from the sun are two essential items that should be at the top of your list.

Since Covid-19 sent workers home and then remote, the influx of visitors to our National Parks has steadily increased, so you'll need to plan this trip well ahead of time. Backcountry campsites are rare, and you'll need a minor miracle to book overnight reservations, a mandatory requirement with the Park Service.

The Jeep trail shares room with cyclists so be on the lookout.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
 

Things To Know Before You Go

Canyonlands National Park Maps

All backcountry overnight campsites and areas become available on a seasonal basis, four months before the start of the season.

Spring: March 10-June 9 (opens November 10)

Summer: June 10 – September 9 (opens February 10)

Fall: September 10 – December 9 (opens May 10)

Winter: December 10 – March 9 (opens August 10)

source: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm

... the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere.
— Edward Abbey
 

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