Capitol Reef National Park

During our trip West a few weeks ago, after our very hot hike to Hickman Bridge, followed by our refreshing picnic lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, we set off down Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef National Park

At the end of the 10-mile paved road, there was a two-mile graded dirt road that passed through Capitol Gorge.

Driving through Capitol Gorge

Our minivan is dwarfed by the walls of Capitol Gorge.

It was pretty rough and slow going, but we drove to the end and then hiked about a mile through a canyon on the Capitol Gorge Pioneer Trail. Again, the sun was scorching. The occasional shade was a wonderful blessing. But, at least this trail was fairly level.

Hiking the Capitol Gorge Pioneer Trail

This rock wall is called the "Pioneer Register" because so many of those early pioneers inscribed their names and the dates of their visits on the wall.

At the end of our mile, there was a short steep trail to some Indian water tanks, which are hollow places in the rocks that hold water when every other water source is dry.

The side trail leading to The Tanks

We started up that one, but it was very steep and very rugged and poorly marked. And hot! So we gave that up and walked the mile back to the car.

This sweet face was among a family of hikers on the Capitol Gorge Pioneer Trail.

After returning to our van, we drove back up the two miles of dirt road and 10 miles of paved road and back out onto Utah Highway 24, continuing our westward journey through Capitol Reef National Park to the town of Torrey, Utah and our lodging at the Best Western Capitol Reef. There were a few more photo stops along the way.