Sheer Splendor in Capitol Reef

As we’ve traveled through multiple national parks in the past few weeks, Skip and I have observed that each one has its own character, its own unique beauty. While visiting and hiking in the Capitol Reef National Park, we have been struck by the splendor of its MASSIVE sheer walls. Though Capitol Reef is one of Utah’s mighty five, it is a lesser known, less visited park. Thankfully, that has meant fewer tourists on the hiking trails and in the small parking areas at scenic viewpoints.

The park’s name seems out of place to us so I looked it up. According to the NPS site, “Early settlers noted that the white domes of Navajo Sandstone resemble the dome of the Capitol building in Washington, DC. Prospectors visiting the area (many with nautical backgrounds) referred to the Waterpocket Fold, an 87-mile long ridge in the earth’s crust, as a reef, since it was a formidable barrier to transportation.”

The unique geological feature of Capitol Reef is the Waterpocket Fold. Also from the NPS, “A nearly 100-mile long warp in the Earth’s crust, the Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline, a “step-up” in the rock layers. It formed between 50 and 70 million years ago when an ancient buried fault reactivated.”

Hiking has become a shared joy and central focus of our national park adventures. Skip and I experienced two incredible hikes in Capitol Reef. On our first day we hiked the Cohab Canyon Trail ( 3 miles, 793 foot elevation gain, ranked moderate). On day two we conquered the Cassidy Arch trail (3.2 miles with 650 foot elevation gain, ranked strenuous). Cassidy Arch was a beast of a challenge ascending in the high desert sun. Of course, we missed a turn and kept hiking upwards so our total hike was 4 miles with an elevation gain of 914 feet bringing us to about 6,300 elevation! Thank heavens for our trekking poles. We finished with a great sense of accomplishment and a high five!

As a reward, we stopped at the local hamburger food truck for dinner. The burger was fabulous and the fries were perhaps the best we’ve ever tasted, especially after a long hike!

We are pushing on to the Green River State Park which will be our home base for visiting the Arches National Park for the next three days. Hope you’ll come along for the ride!