Day 11: Schafer & White Rim Trail, Moab, UT

We head out spryly early to catch the first light at Arches National Park.


Apparently, first light also means first storm.

While we were upset to learn that leprechauns bury their gold under some very large rock structures, it did make for some nice shots. I don't think the park service would appreciate us knocking over their rocks looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbows.


Bikes and (Rain)Bows


We leave Arches National via the back dirt road, which coincidentally is a good way to avoid the traffic jam at the main entrance. Of course, if you don't riding in some more mud. Riding Arches added about 50 miles to our day, and hindsight, their were better view s on white rim. Alas, this park is far more notable since it's paved.



I feel a bit misled, as the park service apparently claims any arch, whether it occurs vertically or horizontally.


We also rode through "Garden Of Eden". Not sure what is up with the name, as it just looks like more rocks to me. Blaster and I thought were should scurry fast through this area, lest we be "blessed" leave with a cherubim.

The off to White Rim trail. Today was probably the first day which we baked under the desert sun. White Rim is 100 miles long with no kick out, and it's slow going, all said about 7 hours. We rode it clockwise. We entered from US313 via the visitors center. This lets you drop down Schafer Trailer with amazing views.


Where's Blaster?








It also sets you up for the nicest part of White Rim. My adrenaline junkie would have preferred to ride out this first section 20-30 miles then track back. The last 30-40 miles before the turn for HorseTheif has some challenging ascents/descents.



It's amazing how close you get to the large crevasses. It's like we have a free pass to run with scissors.






The wind through much of White Rim is filled with sand particles. I guess how else would you carve things like this over 100's of millions of years..





The menagerie of critters trail side.
Mountain Goats kidds


Big Horn Mountain Goat


Jurassic Period