With two of Utah's "Mighty Five" National Parks down (Zion and Bryce Canyon) we were off fairly early. Our destination today was Capital Reef National Park which was about 120 miles away. The journey is often as good as the destination and today was no exception. The entire drive was along "Highway 12 Scenic Byway" which has been listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. In 2002 it was designated as one of the 120 All American Roads by the Federal Highway Administration. The drive lived up to it's billing as it passed the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, through several small communities and over the snow covered Boulder Mountain before reaching the small town of Torrey and Capital Reef National Park.
As we were driving along enjoying the scenery we started to become suspicious. There was something missing. This was supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in the United States and yet we had the road to ourselves. No cars in front of us, none behind us and we haven't passed a car heading the opposite direction. We knew we were on the right road because it was well marked and there weren't any other options. Did we miss something? Had the world come to an end? Being raised Baptist, had the rapture come and we didn't make the cut? Dang, if that was the case I wish I would have done some more sinning to make sure I had gotten my moneys worth. I thought I had been pretty good at least for most of my life and Beth is downright angelic. She has to be to put up with me! I can't believe we both missed out on the streets of gold. Finally we started seeing a couple of cars every now and then. Good news, we hadn't missed the rapture or if we did at least we had some company.
Capital Reef National Park is a little less known than Zion and Bryce. It has a totally unique but equally amazing look as Zion and Bryce. The name "Capital Reef" seemed a bit unusual but thanks to Wikipedia it was easily explained. The park wasn't named until the 1900's. The "capital" is because some of the sandstone formations look similar to the domes on capital buildings. "Reef" means barrier. The mountains and gorges certainly formed a barrier to the early settlers, hence the name Capital Reef.
We had a picnic in a fruit tree grove that was initially planted by Mormon settlers to the area. Unfortunately at this time of year there were no apples or pears to be picked but at the right time of year you can pick and enjoy the fruit at no charge. There was a ten mile drive from the visitor center to the far end of the park that was quite nice. Once we got to the far end we hiked the Capital Gorge which right now is a dry riverbed through a deep canyon. Again, Beth and I took tons of pictures but unfortunately they just don't come close to capturing the beauty of this place.
It was a cool but sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Perfect hiking conditions but I couldn't help let my mind wonder over to a stormy day when a torrential downpour turns the gorge into a raging river in minutes.
Happy to be here on such a postcard picture perfect day!
As we were driving along enjoying the scenery we started to become suspicious. There was something missing. This was supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in the United States and yet we had the road to ourselves. No cars in front of us, none behind us and we haven't passed a car heading the opposite direction. We knew we were on the right road because it was well marked and there weren't any other options. Did we miss something? Had the world come to an end? Being raised Baptist, had the rapture come and we didn't make the cut? Dang, if that was the case I wish I would have done some more sinning to make sure I had gotten my moneys worth. I thought I had been pretty good at least for most of my life and Beth is downright angelic. She has to be to put up with me! I can't believe we both missed out on the streets of gold. Finally we started seeing a couple of cars every now and then. Good news, we hadn't missed the rapture or if we did at least we had some company.
Capital Reef National Park is a little less known than Zion and Bryce. It has a totally unique but equally amazing look as Zion and Bryce. The name "Capital Reef" seemed a bit unusual but thanks to Wikipedia it was easily explained. The park wasn't named until the 1900's. The "capital" is because some of the sandstone formations look similar to the domes on capital buildings. "Reef" means barrier. The mountains and gorges certainly formed a barrier to the early settlers, hence the name Capital Reef.
We had a picnic in a fruit tree grove that was initially planted by Mormon settlers to the area. Unfortunately at this time of year there were no apples or pears to be picked but at the right time of year you can pick and enjoy the fruit at no charge. There was a ten mile drive from the visitor center to the far end of the park that was quite nice. Once we got to the far end we hiked the Capital Gorge which right now is a dry riverbed through a deep canyon. Again, Beth and I took tons of pictures but unfortunately they just don't come close to capturing the beauty of this place.
It was a cool but sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Perfect hiking conditions but I couldn't help let my mind wonder over to a stormy day when a torrential downpour turns the gorge into a raging river in minutes.
Happy to be here on such a postcard picture perfect day!
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| Along the Capital Gorge Trail |
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| At the beginning of the Highway 12 drive |
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| Further along the drive |
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| Inside Capital Reef National Park |
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| The "Castle" |
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| Amazing blue sky all day |
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| Capital Reef Gorge Trail.....and Beth |
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| Along the drive inside the park |
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| Mule Deer on their afternoon siesta |
