Hiking Utah….Part 3

Greetings from Capitol Reef National Park!

After a somewhat scary drive from Bryce Canyon via The Scenic Byway (aka Hwy 12) over mountain passes, through open range (and not just a few cattle, more like a pasture,) 

in the rain and fog,

The Wanderer parked in an apple orchard with a herd of mule deer and within walking distance of Gifford House (where we bought fresh fruit pie and ice cream.)  Fruita Campground is in the Fruita Historic District, which was homesteaded by the Mormon’s in the 1880s. The park continues to maintain the fruit trees that were planted during that time. Visitors are welcome to pick the fruit that is in season; so we picked apples.

It is hard to say how many deer were in and around the campground; we stopped counting at 15 one day, knowing there were a lot more.

They were quite tame.

We were without cell phone service and internet in the campground, but found we could get a signal at one of the overlooks, so we drove up daily to check for messages.

Across the road from the campground was the Cohab Trail (originally it was known as the Polygamy Trail but was changed because Cohab sounded a bit better.) The day we hiked it we happened upon a ranger led hike so we joined them.

It was most interesting to hear the history and how the canyon came to be. On the return we did a bit of exploring on our own.

Captain in a slot canyon

One morning, after a rainy night, we did a bit of 4-wheeling in Roger’s jeep.

That was fun!

Convinced the rain was over for the day, Captain and Roger checked out the Hickman Bridge Trail

where they found some petroglyphs.

Whoops!

(This is what happens when ABN is not along.)

So, the next day, ABN led the hike on the Chimney Rock Trail.

Chimney Rock from the bottom

from above

and along the way.

Capitol Reef National Park is not as large or as busy as Zion and Bryce Canyon, but we found it to be just as interesting and we are already talking about the next time…. but for now we are meandering our way through canyons and desert 

over to Arches National Park near Moab. Once again we will be camping in the park and doubt very much that we will have cell phone service or internet (and that is okay with us.) We will drive to a service area to check for messages.

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