Capital Reef Nat'l Park: Day 2

The canyon walls are so colourful, as is the rubble that falls off!

We spent Sunday (March 19^th) exploring Capital Reef National Park.  We did the Scenic Drive through the park, as well as 2 hikes within the Park: the Cassidy Arch and the Capital Gorge to Tanks hikes.

The hike to Cassidy Arch had an elevation gain of 950 ft, about 80% of which was in the first 4 minutes!  It was definitely the most exhilarating start to a hike we’ve had yet!   The arch is named after Butch Cassidy, the outlaw, who is reported to have hidden out with his gang in the area.  John enjoyed climbing up the dip of the Wingate sandstone formation, following the erosional edge all the way up to the arch.

 

A great shot of the various strata views

The last 1/2 mile of the trail was along slickrock; like hiking on the moon!

Cassidy Arch, straight ahead 

The Cassidy Arch itself was very cool; we saw it from both sides… the front from a distance at approx. the same elevation, but across the canyon, and the back from up close – and ABOVE it!!  What a great perspective!!  Most times arches are viewed from below, but we had an opportunity to see this one from above!

Cassidy Arch, from above

We had lunch along the cliff face that overlooked the parking lot.   John said it was the sheerest cliff he’s ever been on; more sheer than Castle Mountain. He enjoyed the view from where he was (back about 3 feet from where I was enjoying it!).

The hike along Capital Gorge was flat for the most part, as we followed the road (the Capital Gorge wash/flood plain the Mormon settlers used back in the 1870’s).  John commented that we drove 2-1/2 miles down the canyon (the Capital Gorge wash) then walked another mile down the canyon floor before heading up, and he was amazed that the pioneers used that as a road and had to navigate through all the boulders.  The canyon is so narrow in some places that we had to step aside to allow people to pass, yet the settlers got their wagon trails through there… somehow!

In both hikes, we had to rely on the rock piles to direct us along the way

Then we headed pretty well straight up the rock face to get to where the “water pockets” were.  The geologic fold that is essentially Capital Reef National Park is named the “Water Pocket Fold” because of the large “pot holes” that fill with water when it rains, providing much needed water source to the desert animals (and people!).  They are indeed very large, but only a couple had water in them.

The stripes are "desert varnish"

The scenic drive was very nice too – following the up-dip of the Fold along the parkway. The formations are so easy to see, and gorgeous too. 

There are beautiful orchards near Fruita, and then there are a lot of gigantic boulders along the byway that have fallen from the cliff faces above.  It’s an interesting juxtaposition.

One of the Fruita orchards

Today's experience was varied and interesting. We are looking forward to our 3^rd day in the Park, exploring Cathedral Valley.