Day 33 - Capitol Reef NP

This is a hard park to describe.  It is very diverse in landscape and historical significance.  It gets its name from 1. The rock formations that have been pushed up into dome-like features (Capitol) and 2. The Waterpocket Fold that was formed along a major fault-line, and then discovered by explorers with sea-faring backgrounds who called it a “reef.”  There is desert and there is an orchard.  There are geological wonders and there is the historic settlement area.  There are Native American petroglyphs and there are pioneer names etched in the canyon walls.

We saw bits of all of that today.  We photographed Chimney Rock and started down the trail only to realize it was too late and too hot.  There is no shade there.  We will try that again early tomorrow morning.  We made our traditional stop at the Visitor’s Center for the girls to pick up their Jr. Ranger books and to watch the orientation film.  (This one was maybe the best so far).

We explored the Fruita Historic District: the Gifford Farmhouse and gift shop (yummy scones and berry pie).  We had a picnic in the shade.  This might be the first picnic with grass that we have had the whole trip.  It has been such a dry spring out west.  They have lots of sprinklers going here.  We hung out at the picnic area for quite a while.  (No, we didn't play in the sprinklers!)

Then we drove down the 8-mile Scenic Drive.  This is along the Waterpocket Fold, but it is hard to really see because you are right up against it.  The landscape is just so, odd.  It is red dirt and rock.  The features of the land are like nothing I’ve seen before.  At the end of the paved road is a 2-mile dirt road through Capitol Gorge.  This was the original road through the area.  You couldn’t and still can’t be on it during rainstorms because of flash flooding.  Though water is scarce here, it is the main force in the formation of the land.  It is quick and powerful.  No chance of rain today!  At the end of the dirt road is a hike to the petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register (an area where pioneers scratched their names and the date as they passed through the gorge).  OK, so this hike was really hot, but fairly short.

We are extending our stay here for a couple more nights.  This campground is really nice.  It is neat and clean and there is grass.  The temps are cooler than Moab, but the wind is brutal.  It’s hard to eat at our picnic table.  The wind blows our food off our plates, and our plates and cups off the table.  We are learning to weight it down or hold on.  (and to eat fast).  I think it is supposed to be gone tonight.  It wasn’t bad in the park today.  I think it’s the canyon verses this hill in a valley that we are camped on.

This is another nice surprise.  We weren’t planning to come here, but are glad that we did!   Happy travels!  (Don’t forget to watch for some unexpected stops along the way!)
Capitol Reef