Capitol Reef NP (Waterpocket Fold)

I don’t think I’ve visited Capitol Reef National Park before. It is stunningly beautiful. I prefer to call it by the geologic feature that formed it - the Waterpocket Fold. The fold was a 100-mile-long uplift running north-south. Early pioneers found it impassible - like a reef in the ocean. Some of the white sandstone features reminded them of the US Capitol, so that’s how the park got the official name. The heart of the park is the old town of Fruita where the early homesteaders who made it through the fold planted hundreds of fruit trees, which are still here today.

The drive from Goblin Valley to Capitol Reef was captivating as well. Very interesting colors on the rocks. We also saw Factory Butte (early settlers thought it resembled a factory building). We wanted to drive up to it, but the dirt roads were not in good shape due to recent heavy rains.

Factory Butte (top 2 pics) and some colorful formations along the highway

We planned several hikes in the park, but another flash flood (they’ve had a few this summer) a couple of weeks ago closed many of the roads. There were road crews working throughout the park during our visit. All paved roads had been restored, though some were alternating one way traffic. Most of the 2WD dirt roads to access some of the hiking trails were still drying out and being repaired. 

The layers and colors are amazing. We drove the scenic drive (which put most other scenic drives to shame) along the west side of the uplift. 

Along the Scenic Drive Road

We hiked the Hickman Bridge trail, which leads to, and under, an enormous arch. A bridge is created when water cuts under and erodes out an arch. It’s also flat on top, so it looks like a bridge. On our hike down, we were stepping carefully because of the fine sand spread across the slick rock. Elena said "You don't usually think of sand as a lubricant."

Hickman Bridge Hike

We had a nice hike around our campsite in Fruita. There were deer everywhere and a turkey roaming around too. Bebop was very interested in these critters.

Pics from our campground in Fruita (note the turkey and deer Bebop is watching)

We also hiked the Grand Wash, which was very nice when flash floods aren’t ripping through it. We hiked it early in the morning, and monsoon storms appeared about noon - long after we were out to enjoy a fresh baked apple pie.

Grand Wash

Long before the settlers in the late 1800’s this area was also inhabited by some early cultures about 4,000 years ago, and the Fremont culture from around 300-1300. There are petroglyphs and pictographs from both cultures.

Pictographs and Petroglyphs

Here's the view from Panorama Point as we were driving out this morning.

Panorama Point looking east

I just realized I don't have a Bebop photo in this blog. All the trails are closed to dogs in most National Parks, so this was along the scenic drive next to our camper at a pull-out.

Bebop enjoying the scenery with storms in the distance

- Paul