Welcome to the White Rim

Not far from the visitor center, the Shafer Trail is about a five-mile and 1,500-foot descent from the Island in the Sky area to the White Rim Trail below.

A trio of bikers, at right make their way down Shafer Trail. The trail was first used by Native Americans and later by rustlers and other outlaws. In 1917 cattle rancher Sog Shafer started herding cattle onto the White Rim. Uranium miners got together in 1953 to widen the road.

The Gooseneck Trail is a half-mile hike from the White Rim Trail to an overlook of the Colorado River. Once called the Grand River, the U.S. Congress changed the name in 1922.

Musselman Arch is named for Ross Musselman, who moved to nearby Moab, Utah in the 1930s and owned the Pack Creek Ranch. Bicycles are restricted to the area near the trail head and it is illegal to ride across the arch.

Dolores Pitman of Grand Junction makes her way along the White Rim Trail with Monster Tower and Washer Woman Arch in the background. This was Dolores’ fourth trip.

Monster Tower, left, and Washer Woman Arch are two of the more recognizable formations along the trail. Canyonlands became a national park in 1964.

Bruce Boreson, of Pueblo, spent much of the trip looking for unique camera angles for photographing things both big and small. This was his first White Rim Trail experience.

Allen and Tammy Gemaehlich, from Grand Junction, are about 32 miles into their four-day tour of the White Rim Trail. It was Allen’s second trip and Tammy’s first.

Indian Paint Brush is a common sight in Canyonlands.

Few cyclists can pedal up the east approach of Murphy Hogback. At 5,200 feet, it is the highest elevation on the White Rim Trail. Two-way radios were utilized both at the top and bottom to signal a clear path for support vehicles.

After a long, hot day, a sun shower at the Murphy Hogback campsite got plenty of use.

After showering, Guillermo Garibay, from Pueblo, relaxes with a cold drink as he takes in the view as dinner is being prepared. This was Guillermo’s first visit to Canyonlands National Park.

From left, Andy, Tomas and Teresa Smith, prepare fajitas, rice, and beans. Teams were assigned for each dinner and the three siblings took care of the second night.

Room with a view. After setting up their tents, Teresa and Andy Smith take in the splendor of Canyonlands.

The White Rim Trail is faintly visible from this view above Murphy Hogback. Canyonlands became the 32nd national park in 1964 encompassing 257,640 acres. In 1971 an additional 79,930 acres were included.

Campers prepare a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and peppers. Coffee, hot chocolate, milk, juice, bagels, oatmeal and an assortment of fruit was also on hand. Bikers would need all the fuel as another long day of riding awaits.

The descent off Murphy Hogback is exhilarating as cyclists start the day with about four miles of downhill.

Smokey Bear accompanied the group along the White Rim Trail. He was there to remind campers that ground fires are not allowed in Canyonlands.

Bruce Boreson and Dolores Pitman make their way into the Holeman Slot Canyon, a short hike off the White Rim Trail.

From left, Bruce Boreson, Carlos Peralta, Dolores Pitman, Tammy Gemaehlich and Allen Gemaehlich get a respite from the hot temperatures inside a slot canyon. Carlos has cycled the White Rim Trail 15 times.

Tomas Smith makes adjustments at camp. Bicycles take a pounding on the trail and it is not uncommon to see maintenance being done after dinner or breakfast.

64 miles into the trip, cyclists relax on the third and final night at Potato Bottom campsite.

The Green River flows mostly south on the west end of the White Rim Trail.

What goes down, sometimes must come up. To return to the original elevation of the trip, a 1.5 mile ascent is required along the Mineral Bottom Road and the exit of the White Rim Trail.

Indian Paint Brush