UTAH: Capitol Reef National Park
Last weekend Aaron and I decided to go check out Capitol Reef National Park. I had been there once during Questival (at 2am) so I didn't really get to see it and just briefly driven in another time. Aaron had never been there so it was practically new for both of us! It is not too long of a drive from Payson but unfortunately it poured the entire time. Luckily for me, Aaron drove and I just did embroidery like a grandma :)
By the time we got to the park it was still raining so I was a little worried. But we drove to a view point and viewed it from the car haha and then went to the visitors center to get a map. Luckily, by the time we made it to the first hike we wanted to do, it had stopped raining. It was perfect weather!
Hickman Bridge: It is a pretty short (1.8 mile round trip) hike that is not very steep and it really pretty. It is a huge arch that you can actually walk through! It is stunning. And there were only a couple of other people there with us which was really nice.
On the way out you can see Pectol's Pyramid. It is really unique and beautiful. The park is really interesting with so many colored rock formations in such a close place.
After hiking Hickman Bridge, we went just down the road to the Grand Wash Hike. It is short but we only did the start of it because I realized I had forgot toilet paper so we need to go back to the restroom to get toilet paper before we drove out to Cathedral Valley. But it was really pretty, super flat and we were the only ones on the hike!
The next morning we woke up early for the sunrise and then headed back from Cathedral Valley to the park for a morning hike. It was perfect weather again so we really lucked out.
Cassidy Arch: This hike is a little steep at the start but then it is fairly level for the rest of the way. It is fairly short (around 3 miles round trip). The hike is on the edge of the cliff side so you have views of the canyon most of the way. For about the last .5 mile of the trail it is all on slick rock and you are guided by Karens.
Throughout some of the hike you have views of the arch.
While following the Karens to the arch, we got a little bit lost and we passed the arch before coming back to the right spot. Rookie mistake. But it was easy to find our way back to the right place. It is a really incredible arch and you even get the unique experiences of climbing on top of it. We were alone at the arch and we recommenced going early in the morning so you can experience the same thing.
Aaron cruising on top of Cassidy Arch.
We loved Capitol Reef National Park. It is beautiful and unique and we can't wait to go back and visit again!
