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Road Trip Utah, April 2022: Intro ::: Virgin ::: Zion ::: Road 1 ::: Road 2 ::: Gods ::: Potash ::: Road 3


Road Trip Utah: Potash Road
28 April 2022

Like Valley of the Gods, Potash Road was completely unknown to me until I stumbled across it while searching for interesting day rides near Moab.

It's not like there's nowhere else to bicycle around Moab, but this rough ride along the Colorado River attracted my attention. While there's no need for a mountain bike, Potash Road offers plenty of red dirt, sand, gravel, loose rocks, and ruts. And wind. Also about 1900 feet of elevation gain (and loss) in a 17- or 18-mile out-and-back. Considerably more difficult than the relatively smooth dirt road through Valley of the Gods. I don't know about decrepit Old Grumble-Face, but the Ogre is built for this stuff.

I drove in past the big industrial complex of the "Intrepid Potash" operation (the public access road goes through private property) and parked at the first flat spot when I crossed into public land. It requires 4WD or at least AWD and fairly high clearance—the Forester was fine—to reach that point. From there I pedaled (and pushed) all the way to the intersection with White Rim Road in Canyonlands National Park, then turned around and pedaled (and pushed) back to the Forester.

Wow! Another spectacular cruise through incredible Utah scenery.

I met about six other bicyclists (including one group of two couples), all e-assist and all doing very short stretches at one end or the other of Potash Road. Also at least a couple dozen SUVs, Jeeps, and rental ATVs, all moving slowly on the rough road and for the most part very polite.

PS: These roads all seem to have multiple names. Potash Road is also called Shafer Basin Road, or even Thelma and Louise Road. Inside of Canyonlands National Park, it intersects with White Rim Road, which is also known as Shafer Canyon Road and South Fork Spur Road. I call it Potash Road for simplicity.


I pulled the Ogre out of the Forester at this flat spot near the potash evaporation ponds.


Starting up the road toward Canyonlands National Park.


Along the rough road.


Looking back toward the east.


Along the road.


The road often winds right beside (and high above) the Colorado River.

There's the river, with snowcapped mountains in the distance.


Another view of the Colorado River.

It was so windy here I had to lay down the Ogre, else it would blow over.


This spot high above the river is known as "Thelma and Louise Point" according to the map.


Why "Thelma and Louise Point"?

In the movie of that name, in the final scene the ladies drive their convertible over a cliff, and it sails through the air as the film abruptly ends. Although that ostensibly happened at the Grand Canyon, the "flying car" scene was actually created right here. You can compare the contours of the terrain in this screen grab from the movie to the contours in my photo (above this one).


The road ahead.

Off to the left can be seen the drop off to the river.


Another view of the Colorado River.

I saw a couple of rafts drifting downstream, which looked much easier than pedaling.


Gooseneck bend in the Colorado.

The river flows from the left, passes through the narrow gorge far down below the Ogre, and continues off to the right.


A cove along the way, tucked up against the cliff and out of the wind.

My lunch spot.


Old Grumble-Face dances on boulders after lunch.

But don't forget that big rock fell from far, far above. Maybe I should put my helmet back on.


Eventually I reached the "back door" to Canyonlands National Park.

This route not recommended unless you have a suitable vehicle.


Continuing into Canyonlands.


Looking back at Potash Road at the "T" intersection with White Rim Road.

Off to the left (out of frame) are the crazy switchbacks up to the top of the Canyonlands plateau. Off to the right (out of frame) is the wild ride along White Rim Road. I need to turn around and return toward Moab to reach the Forester via Potash Road (aka Shafer Basin Road).


Leaving Canyonlands.


This steep, narrow shelf was the trickiest part of the road, with ruts, sand, and a wealth of loose rocks and gravel.

I crashed on the way down—I blame it on a gust of wind—and bloodied my right leg in multiple places. Had I completely lost control, it would have meant plunging over the cliff, into the river. I pushed the Ogre on the way back up.


On the way back to the Forester I look a break in a convenient cove off the road.

Clouds rolling in as the wind continues to increase.


I liked the texture on this boulder near where I parked the Forester.


On the drive out, I stopped to photograph part of the big complex of potash evaporation ponds.

I reckon that's why they call this Potash Road.


Back to "Valley of the Gods"          ::: :::          Continue to "Along the Road, 3"

Summary

Date: 28 April 2022
Time: 10:00 - 3:00
Weather: 70°-85° F, mostly sunny, then increasingly cloudy and windy
Route: Potash Road, out and back
Distance: 17 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.




Road Trip Utah, April 2022: Intro ::: Virgin ::: Zion ::: Road 1 ::: Road 2 ::: Gods ::: Potash ::: Road 3

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