The road is in good condition and could be easily traversed by a two-wheel drive vehicle when the weather is clear, but I chose to drop into four wheel drive low on the steep descent down the Shafer Road switchbacks in order to use engine braking. I've been planning to install a switch so I can use two-wheel drive low range just for situations like this. Two-wheel drive would be better for negotiating the tight switchbacks and low range is useful for keeping my speed under control on the steep descent.