Yesterday, as we were staring at the scenery and the Colorado river way down below us from Dead Horse Point we noticed a dirt road that followed the river down a days into the Canyon and joined up with White Rim Road. Zoe thought it would be a good idea to ride it.
The Potash road down below, from Deadhorse point.
So, With that in mind, we got up and got the bikes ready. Removal of all unnecessary weight and anything that can’t handle a rough road and we set off for breakfast at the usual spot “Peace Tree”.
Our trip started off on a sealed road running some 25kms to the Potash solar evaporation plant following the Colorado river down a fairly deep Canyon. Along the Canyon walls rock climbers were getting set up for some serious vertical challenges.
Our track along the dirt road of the Canyon. Notice the blue died evaporation ponds at the potash plant.
Once we arrived at the end of the sealed road, we deflated the tires some (28-32PSI) and started our dirt adventure along the solar evaporation ponds of the potash factory. The road was very quiet with only a couple of motorcycles and 4x4s passing by now and then. We stopped at every view point to look at the river below us. We spotted a mule deer swimming gingerly across the river, battling the current and eventually making it to the other side.
Photo stop along the rim edge overlooking the Colorado river
We eventually emerged at the junction with the White Rim Road where the road heads back up the steep switchbacks along the Canyon edge. We followed the jeeps to the top without taking our eyes off the road. This section is steep and only wide enough for 1 4×4 with the occasional passing area. There really isn’t any room for error here! It’s a long way down over the edge…
The switchbacks along the crayon edge taking us back to the top… safely!
Once back at the top, we stopped and filled the tires back up to road pressures with our onboard compressor and set off back to Dead Horse Point where we stopped for lunch and to take in the majestic views one more time. The place was busy with bicycle riders on their lunch stops and we didn’t linger around too long as we had work to do. Once down from the Canyonlands, 1st stop was pick up water from a little spring that was pointed out to us and which is a popular spot for locals to pick up free quality drinking water.
The little spring supplying us with drinking water during our stay in Moab.
Next up the horses needed a good bath so off to the pressure washer. Then it’s laundry time. Camping in the desert means everything turns “Moab desert dust red”! We really didn’t have anymore clean clothes so we had a few loads to do. It was an extremely hot day in the desert so even the clothes that couldn’t be machine dried didn’t take long to dry! We enjoyed a cold “spring water” shower to cool us off and remove some of that desert dust from our pores (this fine powder really gets everywhere!)
The rest of the evening was spent in town where we met some avid 4×4 drivers interested in our machines and visa versa.
With clean bikes and clean laundry we were now ready to leave Moab and venture back into Colorado where we expect cooler weather, some rain and most of all… no dust!
Bringing the tires back up to road pressure with our little compressor.
TA
I really do hope you enjoy all this!
Rocks and dust and narrow roads, it must be the feeling of freedom that appeals!
Only today exists then, yesterday is history, tomorrow uncertain.
Have a very nice and peaceful Sunday evening.
Today I got spoiled, 3 posts!
Looking forward to tomorrow’s!
Sunday baci once more
This was quite an episode !
Although sometimes you’re in the middle of nowhere, I assume, you’re never far from water, food and help if needed isn’t it ?
Be careful – Mum