Spring 2022 Utah Adventure, 4.23.22 - 5.12.22, Part 8 of 12
After returning to Wonderland RV Park from our amazing two night excursion through Cathedral Valley, we unpacked, showered, had some lunch and relaxed. Dana and Bridgit drove into Loa to restock on some groceries. Around six, Bob and I drove east towards Capitol Reef and turned onto the Panorama Point Road. The few miles from our campground to the turnoff is stunning in the early evening. Great uplifted walls of incredibly red rock line the highway and seem to almost glow in the late afternoon sun.
The road we turned on has three points of interest. The first is Panorama Point, just a few yards from the turnoff. A little further up the road is a parking area for the other two spots called Goosenecks Point and Sunset Point. We went to Goosenecks Point first. A short trail climbs to a commanding view down to Sulphur Creek Canyon. There is a trail that I’ve read very good things about that starts across the road from Chimney Rock and follows Sulphur Creek 5.8 miles to the Visitor Center. Along the way you hike in the creek and at times swimming through the creek may be necessary. Anyway, the view from Goosenecks Point down into Sulphur Creek was indeed impressive.
Next we crossed the parking lot and followed a half mile trail out to Sunset Point. This was a great spot to kick back, relax, smoke a cigar and watch the sun go down. Here we were in a national park at an easy to access point of interest and we were the only ones there for a time. The sun teased us as clouds drifted across its path several times. For a while it looked like we may not get a good sunset but I had faith that things might change. We sat and stared out to the east along the chasm of Sulphur Creek Canyon and out to the Waterpocket Fold, the distinct uplift that runs the length of Capitol Reef and exposes a myriad of geologic layers and colors. Farther behind on the horizon, the Henry Mountains towered above the Fold. In this direction we were looking out towards the Fruita District and where The Scenic Drive runs parallel to the Waterpocket Fold. We could see a huge gap in the Fold which we assumed must be Grand Wash and further down the cut that had to be Capitol Gorge.
As if on cue, the sun sank below the level of the cloud and the entire scene lit up like a Christmas tree. The array of color was astounding and my polarizing filter really brought out the richness of the palette laid out before us. By now people began arriving but I think we captured the best light so as the hordes arrived we were already on our way back to parking lot.
Capitol Reef National Park
The Castle/Capitol Reef National Park
Sulphur Creek Canyon from Goosenecks Point
Looking towards Grand Wash and Waterpocket Fold/Capitol Reef National Park
The sun setting on Capitol Reef National Park
The following day would be our last at Capitol Reef. There is so much to see there. I have a list of things I want to go back for including Cassidy Arch, Sulphur Creek Canyon, Chimney Rock Trail, Rim Overlook, Navajo Knobs and Cohab Canyon. On this last day in the park we decided to do an easy hike we could all handle to the Hickman Bridge. The trail gently climbs up from the road and views immediately get better. Shortly we passed the junction for Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs. I was really disappointed that I never made it up there but you can bet when we return to Capitol Reef that will be a high priority.
Hickman Bridge Trail
Gotta stay alert and watch for falling rocks!
Junction with the Navajo Knobs Trail
It was only a mile to Hickman Bridge. The bridge was pretty cool but personally I thought the Escalante Natural Bridge was a bit more impressive. Still, for such a short hike it was a good destination.
Hickman Bridge Trail
Pectol’s Pyramid/Hickman Bridge Trail
Hickman Bridge
Hickman Bridge
The Hickman Bridge Trail is one of if not the most popular trails in Capitol Reef. We wisely got there very early in the morning and had no trouble finding a parking spot. The trail was also much less populated which made for a more enjoyable hike. It also meant that we still had most of the day left to find something to do together. Bridgit and I were so blown away by our trip through Cathedral Valley that we decided to do it again as a day trip and let Bob and Dana see for themselves how amazing this loop was. That journey is forthcoming in Part 9!