Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

It's called Capitol Reef not because it was once underwater, but because the Waterpocket Fold, created by deposition, uplift, and erosion, created huge cliffs; barriers to travel just as barrier reefs in the ocean obstruct travel.

The Capitol Dome (creme-colored rock farthest to the right in the photo above), reminded early travelers of the US Capitol building; thus the Capitol part of the Park's name.

This park is immense and awe-inspiring. It isn't possible to fully capture the beauty with the sterile eye of a camera. But I tried during the 7 days I spent hiking and biking there (93 miles worth). I didn't quite hike all the trails, but almost...




Fruita Gorge Overlook.

The Fruita Historic District used to be a small Mormon settlement that tended productive fruit tree orchards and traded fruit with nearby communities for other goods they needed. The orchards still flourish and the Fruita Museum and store sells yummy fruit pies and homemade ice cream. A great treat after a long day of hiking! When the trees are bearing fruit, you can pick and eat as much fruit (for free!) as you want while you are there. 

Old Fruita schoolhouse.

The building on the left is where you buy the fruit pies.

A young marmot briefly ignored mom's call to run and hide in the barn to stop and take a look at the danger (me).

Hiking up toward Navajo Knobs; the highest point in the park. Lots of great views on that hike (next photos).

I hiked from the campground through Kolob Canyon (this photo) to get to the trail head for Navajo Knobs - a 15 mile hike.

Biking up the "scenic road" (looking back at the hill I just climbed).

At the end of the scenic road is the Capitol Gorge Road, which I also biked; a total of 19 miles biking and 7.5 miles hiking that day.

 Around every corner an even better view. On a bike it was easy to stop and take photos.



Hiking up to the Golden Throne.

Petroglyphs along the Capitol Gorge trail.

The Tanks above the Gorge trail.


Hiking the Frying Pan across a mesa.




Cassidy Arch and the start of a canyoneering adventure.

Looking down at the road I'd bicycled the day before.

The first to repel down of 4 ladies celebrating a 55th birthday.

The birthday gal.





Grand Wash Trail.



Chimney Rock just before sunset.





Morning light near Goose necks Overlook.



Views along the Chimney Rock loop trail.







Spring Canyon.

It’s getting very late. That’s what happens when you roll into an RV park at 7pm after a full day of hiking and a bit of driving. By the time I got a shower and dinner and started on the long process of picking/posting photos it’s closing in on midnight! I was in Capitol Reef 2 weeks ago. I was out of cell range then and have been for all but a few brief hours since then. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to catch up on these posts but I’m trying. I’m in Colorado now, heading to Mesa Verde National Park tomorrow. But I’ve been seeing incredible things on my many hikes in Utah after Capitol Reef. Hopefully I’ll get to share them at some point… And get caught up?