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Capitol Reef - Utah
Descriptive:
The unifying feature of Capitol reef is the geology of the Waterpocket Fold, a long bulge in the Earth's surface which stretches 100 miles across southern Utah. Great palisades of craggy rock rise starkly from the Earth in this region. Below these red sandstone cliffs lies a long valley, replete with orchards along the Fremont river, lush trees, as well as dry desert and rocky outcroppings. Called by the Navajo Indians "The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow", Capitol Reef's walls seem to emanate light as much as reflect it, giving off a broad range of color.
Remnants of the small pioneer community of Fruita, the orchards consist of about 2,700 trees: mainly, apple, pear and peach, cherry and apricot. A few Potawatamee plum trees exist, as well as almond, walnut and mulberry trees. These trees are not indigenous to this area.
Vegetation:
Pinon Pine
Juniper
Cottonwood
Singlewood Ash
Box Elder
Apple trees
Pear trees
Peach trees
Cherry trees
Apricot tree
Plum trees
Almond trees
Walnut trees
Mulberry trees
Locoweed
Evening Primrose
Lilies
Catspaw
Indian Paintbrush
Wildlife:
Mule deer
Wolf
Fox
Marmot
Mountain lion
Bighorn Sheep
Shrews
Hare
Porcupine
Beaver
Bat
Snakes
Lizards
Birds:
Hawk
Kestrel
Mourning dove
Swift
Mountain bluebird
Nighthawk
Magpie
Wren
Key locations:
Chimney Rock and Chimney Rock Trail starts at Chimney Rock, where scenic vistas open up from this chimney-shaped outcropping which juts out from the rock face like the keep of a fortress. The trail leads into Chimney Rock Canyon with numerous switchbacks before reaching the Fremont River.
Cassidy Arch, named for the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy, is a strenuous climb up a steep trail from the floor of Grand Wash canyon to high cliffs above the arch itself. Legend has it that this canyon was used by Cassidy as a hideout.
The Fruita schoolhouse is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1892. The sheer cliff walls in the distance and the nearby orchards depict an idyllic and peaceful setting reminiscent of a time now passed.
Muley Twist Canyon and Lower Muley Twist Canyon are miles of beautiful canyon and lonesome canyon wilderness, excellent for backcountry backpacking, especially to the south.
Capitol Gorge, toward the end of the Scenic Drive, is where one can pick up the trailhead to the Golden Throne, where spectacular views of the canyon await.
Activities:
Backcountry hiking
Jeep tours
Bicycling
Horseback riding
Fishing
Swimming
Trails:
Capitol Gorge Trail
Cassidy Arch Trail
Chimney Rock Trail
Cohab Canyon Trail
Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail
Fremont River Trail
Frying Pan Trail
Golden Throne Trail
Goosenecks Trail
Grand Wash Trail
Hickman Bridge Trail
Navajo Knobs Trail
Old Wagon Trail
Rim Overlook Trail
