Things to Do In Utah: Capitol Reef National Park

The family and I took a much needed vacation this last week.  Part of our adventure included a trip to Capitol Reef National Park.  The park is off the beaten path and getting there is a little tricky, especially when we couldn't find our map and our planned route was closed.  However, store clerks were a very helpful guide.

Our adventure started from St. George and took us to Cedar City.  State Road 14 was closed due to a massive rock slide which meant we had to travel via Parowan through Cedar Breaks.  That was a spectacular scenic detour.

 

Cedar Breaks is located just a few miles from Brian Head ski resort.

After visiting St. George, we were unprepared for the cool 40 degree temperatures found at the lookout.  The elevation was approximately 10,000 feet.

 
And, just in case you didn't know, cliffs and lightning can be harmful.

Our jouney then took us though some fascinating country to the quiet secluded town of Panguitch.  The clerk at the gas station was kind enough to direct us where to go from there.  We stayed at the Best Western which is just three miles from the Capitol Reef.  Here is the view from our hotel room.

We then traveled into the park and checked out The Goosenecks which is a winding canyon created by Sulpher Creek.

 

 We then headed to the Visitor Center to get oriented and traveled down Scenic Drive toward the Grand Wash.  At the entrance to the Grand Wash are some interesting features.  The abandoned uranium mine was a nice diversion.  It was dug into the thin white band near the base of the cliff. 

 

Of course, our family already had our radiation dosage allowance for the year so we decided not to break in and explore.

 

Further into the wash the geologic features continued to fascinate us...

Notice Kim and the kids at the very bottom of the above photo.  It gives you a sense of scale.

The next morning we awoke to a beautiful sunrise...

We then drove to Capitol Gorge...

Near the end of the gorge there is a side trail taking you up to "The Tanks" which are these large pools of water held in deep depressions in the rock.  The pool you see below is about 15 feet across.

 

After Capitol Gorge we headed along SR 24 and stopped to photograph the Fremont Indian petroglyphs.

Then, we headed up the Hickman Bridge trail...

Since I had the camera, I had to take a self portrait to prove I was actually there.

The trail also had some interesting surprises.  There was a cave feature off the trail that we found and played in for a few minutes. 

The "bridge" is a massive arch feature high above the valley floor.

The trail ends with a fantastic view of the Fruita Historic District and park Visitor's Center area below...

After the hike we traveled north out of the park...to Goblin Valley about an hour and a half away.

Our trip was so short and yet packed so full of interesting events and scenery that I am still stuggling to digest it all.  The geologic features still haunt my mind and I find myself yearning to go back so I can explore this part of Utah again.  It has certainly found a special place in my heart.