May 12, 2022
In May 2022, I went on a guided trip to Capital Reef National Park located in Utah. My husband and I had passed through the area years ago, but this was my first time exploring on foot. This trip was magical, given the unique treks, delicious foods, and expansive vistas we were treated to!
We made our way from the Salt Lake City Airport to the Broken Spur Inn in Torrey, UT. The motel has an excellent restaurant, enclosed heated pool, and northerly views of the area. After an hour at the inn, we departed for a short trek on nearby Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. We were pleased when our guides surprised us with a delicious meal to go with the endless views – wine included! I enjoyed getting to know my hiking companions and to get a glimpse of the terrain where we’d be trekking. What a great evening!
May 13, 2022
After breakfast at the inn, we headed two miles east of the Capital Reef Visitor Center to hike the Rim Overlook Trail. We passed the Hickman Natural Bridge, which is 125 feet tall and 133 feet wide, one of the largest rock spans in this park. It was exciting to take this trail and view this wondrous arch! We learned about the geology of the area, enjoying views of the Waterpocket Fold, Capital Dome, Navaho Dome, and The Castle. The fold represents an almost 100-mile buckle in the earth’s surface, running from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell – neat!
For lunch, we drove along the Panoramic Point Road to visit the Gooseneck Overlook. We saw spectacular views of a canyon carved by the Sulphur Creek. From there, we drove to Chimney Rock Trail for a 3.3-mile hike up along the Mummy Cliff with panoramic views. We learned about the nearby canyon, known for its 200-million-year-old petrified wood. Finally, we stopped at our van to grab water shoes for our .7-mile hike along the Sulphur Creek. It was exciting to end up at a waterfall!
Back in Torrey, we cleaned up and enjoy a scrumptious dinner at the Rim Rock Restaurant outside of town. We had a marvelous time reminiscing about our earlier hikes. I highly recommend the Utah trout for dinner!
May 14, 2022
After another delicious breakfast at our motel, we ventured east to hike three miles along a sandstone monocline and through the serpentine Cohab Canyon – amazing! At the conclusion of our hike, we landed at the Gifford Homestead, a historical homestead in the Fruita Valley. It’s next to the Fruita Campground and close to the visitor center of Capital Reef National Park. The homestead is both a pie shop and a museum describing the Morman pioneer history.
We made it just at opening time, before the huge line formed outside. The property includes a small orchard, and the pies come in small sized in deep tins (almost the equivalent of two slices). There are some other delights available, likes coffee, ice cream, breads, and pastries, plus few souvenirs.
I’m still thinking about the delicious cherry pie I had while gazing up at the sandstone cliffs and domes of the famous Waterpocket Fold. After this outing, we headed back to the Broken Spur Inn to vacate our rooms and head towards Escalante (separate post).
Have you ever been to Capital Reef National Park or are you planning a visit? I’d love to hear from you!
