Bikepacking The White Rim Path: A self-supported journey

The White Rim Path was one among my first-ever bikepacking journeys and it’s nonetheless one among my favorites to this point. The route is unimaginable. It skirts the northern fringe of Canyonlands Nationwide Park outdoor of Moab and passes by among the many most jaw-dropping landscapes inside the West. We pedaled under towering purple rock bluffs, handed pure stone arches, gazed up at skinny spires reaching to the sky, and gawked at giant canyon vistas that rivaled these of the Grand Canyon.

Many people drive the 104-mile loop in a rugged 4×4 car, nonetheless my boyfriend and I did it as a two-night completely self-supported bikepacking journey. I wouldn’t title it easy (although some of us journey your complete loop in a day), nonetheless it was positively memorable and I favored every second of it.

There are steep switchbacked climbs (just a few of them hike-a-bikes), prolonged winding descents, extraordinarily scenic campgrounds, and a great deal of publicity to take care of you in your toes. The remoteness of this path makes it rather more spectacular and thrilling!

For many who’re trying to find an issue and are ready for some highly effective pedaling on a heavy bike, this is usually a bucket-list journey for constructive. On this publish, I cowl all of the issues it is worthwhile to study planning your particular person self-supported White Rim Path bikepacking journey.

What is the White Rim Path?

The White Rim Path is a 72-mile unpaved doubletrack road that follows a slim band of white sandstone above Canyonlands Nationwide Park and the Colorado River. The road sits beneath the Island inside the Sky Mesa and affords very good views out of the canyons and spires of Utah’s largest Nationwide Park.

Pleasant actuality: The White Rim Freeway was constructed in 1950 by the Atomic Energy Price to supply entry to uranium miners so they could mine deposits for nuclear weapon manufacturing all through the Chilly Warfare. The mines have prolonged since been closed, nonetheless the road stays open to 4×4 autos and mountain bikers.

The White Rim Path Map

This map merely reveals the White Rim Path, which is 72 miles prolonged. The whole 104-mile loop moreover consists of Mineral Canyon Freeway, Island inside the Sky Freeway, and Shafer Path. (I dive into the entire route beneath).

Watch a video of our White Rim Bikepacking journey!

White Rim Path Permits

Getting an in a single day White Rim Path enable will probably be very aggressive. There are 19 campsites (20 once you embrace the distant Taylor campsite which isn’t really an alternative for bikepacking). Each campsite can accommodate 15 of us and three autos per day.

Day-use permits are moreover granted for 50 autos and 50 mountain bikers, nonetheless biking the White Rim in a day is intense, to say the least.

Permits are REQUIRED for day and in a single day use for every bikes and autos and they also get snatched up quickly, so mark the dates beneath in your calendar.

Enable Seasons

In a single day permits are broken up into 4 ‘seasons’ and permits will probably be reserved 4 months upfront of each season:

• March 10-June 9 (opens November 10)
• June 10 – September 9 (opens February 10)
• September 10 – December 9 (opens Would possibly 10)
• December 10 – March 9 (opens August 10)

So for example, once you wished to plan a bikepacking journey in April, you’d want to be on-line to order your dates on November tenth.

Enable Course of

1. To order a enable for the White Rim Path, head to the Canyonlands In a single day Backcountry Permits Internet web page and click on on on the ‘confirm availability’ button. Then select ‘Island inside the Sky – 4WD/Mountain Bike’ and the number of of us in your group.

2. You’ll see an inventory of obtainable campsites pop up. The troublesome half is discovering campsites that work properly collectively for an in a single day bikepacking journey. We stayed at Shafer our first night and Murphy C the next night. See further details about how we did our two-night journey along with fully completely different itinerary selections inside the subsequent half beneath.

3. If you’ve chosen your dates, click on on the ‘e-book now’ button and in addition you’ll be prompted by a few further questions. You’ll wish to determine on an entry and exit degree – for our journey we started and ended on the excessive of the Mineral Bottom Switchbacks. You’ll moreover wish to present particulars about your car, emergency contact, and primary contact knowledge.

4. If you’ve crammed out all of the information and checked the sector saying that you simply simply’ve be taught all the Should Know stuff, click on on ‘Proceed to Cart’ and finish testing. It’s a one-time worth of $36 per enable, which includes all campsites and group members. You do not need to do separate bookings for each night or campsite.

5. The White Rim in a single day enable does not embrace the entry worth into Canyonlands Nationwide Park, so that you simply’ll should purchase an individual park transfer, which is required for each particular person. These passes are good for 9 consecutive days, so that you simply’ll want to buy them as close to your departure date as you can, ideally the day of or the day sooner than your journey. You should purchase explicit individual passes on-line or on the doorway gate or the Island inside the Sky Buyer’s Coronary heart. Each explicit individual transfer for mountain bikers is $15.

Essential points to keep in mind regarding your permits:

My 3-day White Rim Bikepacking Itinerary

There are a selection of how one can place collectively a bikepacking route alongside the White Rim Path. There are 9 campgrounds with 19 campsites on the market and the loop will probably be ridden in each path.

Beneath is the itinerary we did and I assumed it was rattling near good. I actually don’t assume I might change an element about it! Every single day’s mileage was unfold out pretty evenly as was the climbing/elevation obtain. The one ‘bummer’ is that we ended days 2 and three with hefty climbs.

Day 1: Excessive of Mineral Bottom switchbacks to Shafer campground

We started our bikepacking journey on the excessive of the Mineral Bottom switchbacks the place we might depart our automotive. It might be tempting to start on the bottom of the switchbacks so that you simply don’t have to complete the loop with an unlimited climb, nonetheless once you do that, you’ll must climb up the massive cliff on the first day with completely loaded bikes. It’s really increased to do this on the end when you’re not as weighed down. It’s moreover a pleasurable remaining drawback! (Skilled-tip: have chilly drinks prepared for you).

Shafer canyon road

The first day wasn’t too thrilling until we obtained to Shafer Canyon Freeway. We started our pedal alongside the grated Mineral Bottom Canyon Freeway, which had a slight incline. Merely keep pedaling saved going by my head… After we obtained to the intersection of Route 313, we turned correct and adopted the paved Island inside the Sky road until we obtained to the doorway gate of Canyonlands Nationwide Park.

Phrase: For many who didn’t buy an entrance worth (see enable half above) you’ll should get one on the gate or on the Buyer’s Coronary heart a mile down the road.

The Shafer Switchbacks

Merely after the doorway gate, we received right here to the turn-off to Shafer Canyon Freeway on the left. This was the start of the pleasurable stuff! I pulled on a further layer and readied myself for a 6-mile descent proper all the way down to Shafer Campground. As I descended, I started to catch glimpses of the unimaginable views of the White Rim off to the left and obtained a major type of the publicity to return again.

Tip: Take your time on the descent and go sluggish. There are about half a dozen crazy switchbacks proper all the way down to the underside of the Shafer descent and it couldn’t be good once you go over the sting.

As quickly as I obtained to the underside of the Shafer Canyon Freeway switchbacks, it was a quick roll to Shafer Campground. Sadly, we did lose slightly little bit of elevation that we wanted to regain inside the morning, nonetheless it was warm-up for the legs 🙂

Phrase: There isn’t a such factor as a sign for Shafer Campground, nonetheless take a left onto Potash Freeway with indicators in the direction of Moab.

Moreover, leep a be careful for bighorn sheep and deer scrambling spherical on the rocks and canyon partitions surrounding the campground!

Day 2: Shafer to Murphy Campground

Day 2 was a large day – don’t underestimate it! It was merely over 41 miles from Shafer Campground to Murphy Campground and we stopped fairly a bit for photos and films. There have been moreover a few side-stops like river overlooks and the Musselman Arch that I assumed had been worth testing. Nevertheless since that’s such a large day with a variety of miles to cowl, it’s best to take care of shifting slowly.

We winded our method alongside the sting of the White Rim with a variety of zigzags in and out of canyons and epic views the entire method. For most likely essentially the most half, the terrain rolled pretty properly, nonetheless there was positively a slight upward trajectory. I consoled myself and my legs by realizing that tomorrow would have a slight downward growth.

Murphy’s Hogback

As quickly as we obtained to the turn-off for White Crack Campground, we had been about 8 miles from camp on the excessive of Murphey’s (which is ahhh-mazing!). The clincher, though, was a precise robust hike-a-bike as a lot as the very best of the Murphey’s Hogback Mesa. It was brutal, significantly with a 60-70lb bike. My approach? Take 10 steps and rest. Repeat until I crested the summit then thank the celebrities that the hardest part of the journey is over.

As quickly as we organize camp and had a moist wipe bathtub, we cherished on of most likely essentially the most scenic dehydrated dinners I’ve ever had (or at least excessive 5).

Day 3: Murphy Campground once more to your automotive

Day 3 – the ultimate day – was most definitely every my favorite and least favorite day. The start from camp was a superb pleasurable and fairly technical (at least with baggage strapped to your physique) descent from Murphey’s Campground and from there, it’s a variety of rolling doubletrack proper all the way down to the Inexperienced River.

There have been nonetheless a great deal of scenic vistas of Canyonlands and a few climbs, nonetheless complete the start of day 3 involved a variety of rolling hills and some good pedaling alongside the Inexperienced River.

Hardscrabble Climb

There have been two giant climbs to type out, though. The first was Hardscabble, which started out mellow nonetheless quickly become a steep hike-a-bike beast. It wasn’t as onerous as a result of the Murphy climb, nonetheless it was nonetheless an issue and I for constructive let unfastened a few curse phrases. The descent down the other side was prolonged, sandy, and pleasurable, though, after which it was further pedaling above the river with an vital spot to get pleasure from lunch.

The previous couple of miles after we handed the Labyrinth Campsite was slightly little bit of a psychological wrestle. It was about 5 miles to the underside of Mineral Bottom and the Horsethief Path that took us once more to our automotive. Merely keep pedaling 🙂

Horsethief Path

This remaining climb appeared way more brutal than it actually was. I honestly cherished this ascent on account of it’s 100% rideable (not like Murpheys and Hardscrabble) and it was the final word drawback to the 100 miles that we merely rode on a loaded bike. I took my time, put my bike in its lowest gear, and easily saved spinning my answer to the very best the place we had a cold beverage prepared for us!

Tip: take your time on this remaining day so that you simply simply climb up Horsethief inside the shade. We started our climb spherical 3pm and about half of it was gloriously shaded.

Concepts for planning your White Rim Bikepacking journey

Completely different tenting/Route Selections

As I mentioned above, there are 9 campgrounds alongside the White Rim, so there are various fully completely different selections for creating your particular person route. Personally, I imagine utilizing the loop clockwise and tenting at Shafer and Murphy is likely one of the greatest combo, nonetheless when you’ll be able to’t get a enable for these campsites, listed under are two completely different first charge selections:

• Make it a one-nighter and camp at White Crack campsite. This might make each day about 54 miles.
• Park on the Buyer Coronary heart and do the loop counterclockwise. Camp at Labriynth, Hardscrabble, or Potato Bottom for the first night (good campsites by the river with shade) after which White Crack the second night. For many who choose Potato Bottom, you’ll do the Hardscrabble climb/hike-a-bike on the first day.

Tip: I might try and avoid tenting at Airport, Gooseberry, or Candlestick. Whereas these campsites have good views, they’re large uncovered and don’t have any security from the photo voltaic or wind.

Most interesting time of 12 months to Bikepack the White Rim

In the event you’re doing a self-supported bikepacking journey alongside the White Rim, I HIGHLY advocate planning it inside the cooler spring and fall months. Summer season season can get terribly scorching inside the Canyonlands (over 100°) and it might be onerous – even dangerous – to strive a self-supported journey all through this time.

Spring

We rode the White Rim in early March and lucked out with the local weather. It might nonetheless be chilly, moist, and windy in March, nonetheless we found the day temps to be good (50s-60s) and the night temps manageable (mid-30s). March is iffy, though, so once you get a enable for early spring be able to cancel your journey if the local weather isn’t cooperating.

After we rode it in March, we principally had the place to ourselves and the snow was nonetheless capping the La Sal Mountains inside the distance, making for rather more dramatic landscapes.

Later spring – like April or early Would possibly – might have further reliable local weather.

Fall

Mid-September to early November are moreover prime months for bikepacking the White Rim. This moreover signifies that you simply’ll be sharing it with a variety of completely different vacationers, though – primarily 4×4 day-trippers and supported bike journeys, so be prepared for guests.

What to pack for the White Rim

Water

The most important concern when packing for a White Rim bikepacking journey is water. There isn’t a such factor as a water alongside the overwhelming majority of the route, so you need to to carry all the water that you simply simply’ll need. There’s the potential for getting water on the ultimate day (or first day counting on which path you journey) when you’re down by the Inexperienced River, nonetheless it’s very silty and can solely be relied on in case of emergencies.

We carried 12L of water EACH for our three-day, two-night bikepacking journey. That’s 26.5lbs of extra weight in merely water. We every had about 3L to spare on the bottom of the final word climb up Horsethief Path, nonetheless I’m very hesitant to say that we carried an extreme quantity of water.

The Park Service recommends a gallon of water a day per particular person (which is principally what we had) and if our second day hadn’t been chilly and windy I’m constructive we would have consumed practically all of it.

Don’t underestimate how so much water you’ll need, significantly once you plan your journey all through hotter local weather.

Bikes & Gear

We rode the route on our Santa Cruz Chameleon hardtail bikes. You’ll want at least a hardtail for this journey if not a short-travel full suspension bike. Although it’s on a ‘grime’ road, there are stretches that are pretty robust, and even I felt considerably under-biked on my Chameleon.

As far as bikepacking baggage and package, you’ll moreover should assume this by as properly on account of it is worthwhile to hold all of the issues. This consists of all your water, meals, and tenting gear. We opted to utilize rear racks and panniers so we provide all of the issues further comfortably. It might be onerous to carry all of the stuff you need with out using racks, nonetheless it could very properly be doable when you may have the exact setup.

I can’t stress ample that there is nothing available on the market and it is worthwhile to hold all of the stuff you need. Convey ample water!

For explicit gear ideas, head over to my Bikepacking Gear Pointers.

Additional Information

Loos & Trash

Each campground has at least one – usually two – pit bogs that are glowing clear and (usually) stocked with toilet paper. Please do not throw your trash into the bogs – you ought to pack out your complete trash.

Caching Water

For many who don’t want to (or can’t) carry all the water you need, you can cache water alongside the White Rim with prior approval. This isn’t ideally suited on account of part of the attraction of bikepacking the White Rim is utilizing it blind! For many who cache water you’ll get a glimpse of the views and lovely landscapes ahead of time.

Nevertheless once you do should cache water to make your journey work, contact the Backcountry Enable Office and allow for ample time for cache approval. You’ll moreover desire a 4×4, high-clearance car to drive the White Rim.

Cell Service

There’s actually intermittent cell service alongside the White Rim. I switched my cellphone off of airplane mode on the White Crack campground junction and had two bars of LTE. I don’t assume there’s full service all the way in which through which spherical, nonetheless when you may have an emergency, there could also be spotty cell service to call for help.

Wildlife

We observed pretty a few bighorn sheep and deer all through our pedal alongside the White Rim, so keep your eyes peeled! The bighorn sheep are very good to look at when you’ll be able to spot them climbing spherical on the purple cliffs and bluffs.

We moreover made a kangaroo rat very (briefly) glad when he dived headfirst into my pannier filled with meals. Maintain your baggage zipped up and secured at night in any other case you uncover them ravaged by rodents inside the morning.

Well being & Driving functionality

Doing a self-supported bikepacking journey alongside the White Rim Path is not any joke attributable to its remoteness and lack of water so it shouldn’t be taken flippantly. If utilizing 35+ miles and day with a 70-80lb bike sounds out of your league, then have in mind doing this journey with a 4×4 help car or signing up for a tour.

Quite a few of us bike the White Rim as a supported journey and it’s arguably further good on account of you can journey flippantly, get a journey once you’re feeling drained, and uncover side journeys identical to the Holman Slot Canyon. To be taught further just a few vehicle-supported journey, check out my pal Kristen’s 4-day White Rim journey.

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I hope this publish conjures up you to start planning your bikepacking journey throughout the White Rim Path. What questions do you proceed to have? Would you do a self-supported journey or have a sag car? Go away a comment beneath!