We took a drive one day through the back-country area around Moab. There is a dirt road called the White Rim Road (I have a couple of pictures of it in another entry) that circles the Island in the Sky mesa but it’s listed as for 4-wheel drive only. One way to enter the White Rim Road is to go down steep switchbacks from the Island in the Sky road, and another is to come from Moab on what is called Potash Road…called that because there is a potash processing plant along the way. Potash is a natural chemical that is found in the rocks around this area, water is forced through the rock and up into shallow ponds and when it is forced through it brings potash with it. The shallow ponds are then left to dry, and when the water evaporates, only the potash is left. Then it’s scooped up and processed and sold.
The Potash Road connects to the White Rim Road near the switchbacks, and we heard from an experienced 4x4er that a high clearance truck like ours would make the trip down Potash Road, through the short section of the White Rim Road, and then up the switchbacks with no problems. We decided to give it a try. We found the road a bit bumpy in places but on the whole pretty easy going. There were lots of really interesting rock formations along the way and great views down into the canyons and to the river. We stopped at one viewpoint to get pictures of the river and were told that this was where Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff (it’s the scene at the end of the movie). I had wondered where that scene had taken place as it had high sheer cliffs all around so it made sense that it was done here.
When we came to the switchbacks I was a little nervous and as we went up through the very steep, very narrow switchbacks I got real nervous when I was on the outside of the road, looking straight down for about 2,000 feet! We passed a few motorcycles going down and passed a couple of cars when I had to hold my breath and close my eyes. I never have been afraid of heights, but that was unnerving. Jeff was great and got us up safely.
It was a real cool drive and I’m glad we went along it. Here are some pictures: