We are but an insignificant speck in Capitol Reef National Park
If ever there was a place that would shrink you to insignificance, Capitol Reef National Park has to be it. Known for it’s famous Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef is home to a monoclinal geologic wrinkle on the surface of the Earth that extends beyond 100 miles. The park was in fact formed to safeguard this geological treasure and preserve it for posterity.
Capitol “domes” and mountain “reefs”
Capitol Reef gets its name from white domes of Navajo sandstone which resemble capitol building domes and the reef stands for the many rocky cliffs and mountains which resemble a coral reef. An aerial view of the park provides the best understanding of the Waterpocket Fold in all its glory, but there are several scenic roads through the park which showcase Capitol Reef’s geologic riches through accessible ancient strata.
One of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen!
We got a glimpse of the true magnificence of Capitol Reef when driving up to the park on Highway 12. A rose-pink sunset over the Grand Staircase Escalante greeted us with Capitol Reef visible in the foreground and snow-capped Henry mountains in the backdrop. I couldn’t wait to explore this beautiful park!
In front of the magnificent “Fluted Wall”
The scenic drive through the park is highly recommended, but it is most exciting to get out of the car and do some hiking among narrow canyons and gorges with overhanging cliffs and rocky mountains.
Hiking the Capitol Gorge trail
There are a number of popular Day hikes in the Fruita area which range from easy to strenuous. We started off with the easy Capitol Gorge Trail (3 miles roundtrip) which is a level path that goes through exhilaratingly narrow gorges with high canyon walls pressing in closely. The trail leads to Petroglyph Narrows, Pioneer Register and the Tanks (large natural holes in the rock which hold rainwater). We thoroughly enjoyed this hike. I think one of the best parts was trying to spot the Petroglyphs on the high canyon walls!
Fascinating Petroglyphs in Capitol Reef National Park
Ancient Puebloan people used to live here as hunter-gatherers ~2000 years ago and they left plenty of evidence of their lifestyle and culture through their pictographs and petroglyphs. It is heartening to see these detailed drawings and carvings of animals and people, depicting their activities like hunting, migration and travel from a thousand years ago. They speak volumes of human survival and flourishing through the ceaseless passage of time.
Hiking among the grand temple-like landscapes of Capitol Reef
The Grand Wash Trail (5 miles roundtrip) climbs 200 feet up the wash, again passing through sheer canyon walls and a narrow gorge. Cohab Canyon (3 miles roundtrip) is another popular trail which involves a strenuous climb that is well worth it due to plenty of overlooks from the top. For those looking to get your heart pumping, there is the trail to the Golden Throne (4 miles roundtrip) which climbs 700 feet to the top of the canyon and presents you with fantastic panoramic views of Capitol Reef’s landscape.
Clearly visible strata of a mountain that has been ripped up from the Earth’s crust
Capitol Reef also offers a variety of ranger-led hikes and activities, which include night-sky star-gazing, guided hikes and more. Driving on the scenic route provides access to many of the superb highlights of the park, including monumental sedimentary rock formations, tilted mountains, the Grand Wash, Wingate Sandstone and more. For the complete 11-stop itinerary, click here.
A view of the imposing Capitol Dome made of Navajo Sandstone
Capitol Reef National Park is the grand reward at the end of a spectacular drive along Highway 12. With its narrow canyons, deep gorges, rocky cliffs and a magnificent wrinkle of geologic magnitude on the Earth’s crust (the Waterpocket Fold), the park’s marvelous sights will inspire awe in every visitor.
If you go: How to get to Capitol Reef National Park: One of the best scenic routes to get here is to head out from Bryce Canyon National Park and get onto Highway 12 which passes through Escalante Petrified Forest State Park and Anasazi State Park before joining Highway 24 that goes through the park. On the way back, take the Highway 24 route out so you will get to drive both scenic routes. A full list of day hikes in the Fruita area in Capitol Reef National Park is available here.Happy Hiking!
~ Trupti