SuperBus
Michigan
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Joined: 09/25/2019
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An interesting facet of the "Big Five" is the option for off-roading. My trusty guidebook points out a few of the park roads such as Burr Trail Road in Capital Reef and Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands. It does refer to these roads as requiring a "high clearance 4WD" vehicle and uses a Jeep looking vehicle as an icon. We travel towing our short wheelbase Ford Expedition (4x4, with Hi/Lo on the t-case, skid plates). For anyone who has traveled these park roads/trails, are they passable in something other than a true Jeep, such as our toad? Ground clearance is comparable between the two vehicles, believe or not, but the big difference is in approach and departure angles, a Jeep clearly being superior. Are there a lot of obstacles which need to be driven over? Thanks!
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Tinyandthegang
Mt. Shasta, Ca.
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Joined: 11/03/2007
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Both of those roads can be easily traveled in any vehicle with some ground clearance. They are both just gravel roads.
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Ro"n"Joe
Full Timing
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Joined: 12/09/2010
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Your Expedition will be fine on Shafer's Trail. We did it in our Grand Cherokee and highly recommend taking it. Also suggest starting up from Moab. Sorry...didn't do Burr Trail.
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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I did the Shafer years ago in a S10 pickup - going up. No need for low range. Nor do I recall any special ground clearance issues. On the return drive I took Long Canyon down, and appreciated the low range braking. But I also drove Long down in a SUV using only brakes.
I also intended to take Burr in that SUV, but that was right after a major storm, and the stream crossing at Bullfrog was mud covered. Made the loop around through Capital Reef. I'd just camped at Hall's Crossing, and taken the ferry across. But last I read, that ferry wasn't running because Lake Powell was too low.
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profdant139
Southern California
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No matter what truck you have, don't go if the roads are wet -- they get very slick. There is a lot of bentonite clay. Nasty stuff.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
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SuperBus
Michigan
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Thanks for sharing your experiences, much appreciated!
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