• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 2994 0

park offer panoramic views of colorful cliffs and domes, eerie journeys through desolate, steep-walled canyons, and cool walks along the tree-shaded Fremont River. Watch carefully for petroglyphs and other reminders of this area's first inhabitants. This is also the real Wild West, little changed from the way cowboys, bank robbers, settlers, and prospectors found it in the late 1800s. One of the best things about hiking here is the combination of scenic beauty, prehistoric American Indian rock art, and Western history you'll discover.

Among the last areas in the continental United States to be explored, Capitol Reef has many parts that remain practically unknown, perfect for those who want to see this rugged country in its natural state. Several local companies offer guide and shuttle services. Wild Hare Expeditions, P.O. Box 750194, Torrey, UT 84775 (☎ 888/304-HARE [4273] or 435/425-3999; www.color-country.net/~thehare), offers guided mountain-bike and four-wheel-drive tours (see below), as well as hiking and backpacking tours. Full-day tours range from $80 to $125 per person, including lunch, and multiday treks start at $125 per person per day. Located in the Best Western Capitol Reef Resort complex, a mile west of the park entrance at 2600 E. Utah 24, Wild Hare's shop, the Hare Lair, rents and sells a variety of outdoor gear and sells backcountry clothing and maps. Call for current hours.

SHORTER TRAILS

Capitol Gorge Trail

1 mile one-way. Easy. Access: End of Capitol Gorge dirt road.

This is a mostly level walk along the bottom of a narrow canyon. Looking up at the tall, smooth walls of rock conveys a strong sense of what the pioneers must have seen and felt 100 years ago when they moved rocks and debris to drive their wagons through this canyon. The trail leads past the Pioneer Register, where early travelers carved their names.

Fremont River Trail

1.25 mile one-way. Easy to moderate. Access: Fruita Campground.

This self-guided nature trail is quite easy—and wheelchair accessible—for the first .5 mile as it meanders past the orchards along the river. It becomes increasingly strenuous thereafter. The path climbs to an overlook of the lovely valley. Part of the trail is steep, with long drop-offs.

Goosenecks Trail

.1 mile one-way. Easy. Access: Panorama Point Turnoff on Utah 24, 3 miles west of visitor center, then 1 mile on gravel access road.

This short walk affords great views of Sulphur Creek Canyon. It's a good trail for those with little time because it offers both sweeping views of the geology of Waterpocket Fold and close-ups of interesting rock formations.

Hickman Bridge Trail

1 mile one-way. Moderate. Access: Hickman Bridge parking area on Utah 24, 2 miles east of visitor center.

Starting at the Fremont River, this self-guided nature trail heads into the desert, ascending several short steep hills to Hickman Natural Bridge, which has an opening 133 feet wide and 125 feet high. The trail has a 400-foot elevation gain.

Sunset Point Trail

.3 mile one-way. Easy. Access: Panorama Point Turnoff on Utah 24, 3 miles west of visitor center, then 1 mile on gravel access road.

This hike affords panoramic views of cliffs and domes, which are most dramatic around sunset.

LONGER TRAILS

Cassidy Arch Trail

1.75 miles one-way. Strenuous. Access: Scenic Dr. and Grand Wash Rd. to Grand Wash Trailhead.

This trail offers spectacular views as it climbs steeply from the floor of Grand Wash to high cliffs overlooking the park. From the trail you get several perspectives of Cassidy Arch, a natural stone arch named for outlaw Butch Cassidy, who is believed to have occasionally used the Grand Wash as a hideout.

Chimney Rock Trail

3.5 miles RT. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Chimney Rock parking area on Utah 24, 2 miles west of visitor center.

This trail begins with a strenuous climb up switchbacks to the more moderate loop trail on top. It affords views of Chimney Rock from both below and above, plus panoramic views of