It was a short hard drive to Capital Reef from Bryce Canyon due to the high winds and going on a 2 lane road in the mountains for over 100 miles. There were little towns along the way but mostly mountains and farms. It was a very scenic drive if I was not worried about getting blown off the road. The park does not charge an admission fee. The visitor center was very busy and it was small but I was able to get a map and the color brochure of the park. Many people on the drive in were staying in the National Forest just off the road and disperse camping but I think they are there for more than one night. The park’s closest town is over 11 miles away and the grocery store was over 30 miles from the closest town, needless to say stock up on groceries before you arrive in the park. There are many things to do in the park like walking through orchards of apples, peaches, pears, apricots, cherries, and plums. When there is fruit on the trees you are welcome to sample just don’t take any home or you have to pay a small fee for taking it away. The park also has some petroglyphs which are from 600 to 1300 CE. The park was settled by Mormon settlers and there is a house called the Gifford House that offers fresh pies and breads for purchase. There are plenty of hiking and you start right at the campground so no driving, always a good thing. On the road in/out you can look into the distance and see snow at the top of the mountains still. Also the trees are just starting to bud so the pollen is very high.
Twin Rocks – a turn off on the road into the visitor center after entrance to the park has a view of the twin rocks. They are not identical but fraternal twins. It is pretty amazing that these big rocks are so close to each other in height and how they are supported.
Chimney Rock Loop – I did not take the trail but stopped and took a few photos of Chimney Rock and it has a big boulder that looks like it will come down any second but it has been there for many years I am sure. The loop is 3.6 miles and has an elevation gain of 590 feet so not a bad hike but parking is very limited. When I was there at 6pm at night I found only 1 spot and the next car had to leave due to no parking. I saw a group of 4 people heading up the trail and sure they are going to watch the sunset and camp the night as their packs were loaded down. The parking area does has a vault toilet for your comfort.
Fremont River Trail – The trail is a nice level winding path which I took from my site to the visitors center or 2.4 miles round trip. The idea was to get some exercise and watch the sun set and I got to do both. There is virtually no elevation gain/loss and the path is well traveled so easy to follow. From the campground you walk along the Fremont River and pass the Gilford House. Next is the blacksmith shop with the visitor center at the end of the trail for me. I did get to see a few Marmots while on the hike. I had a nice conversation with a Park Ranger walking her dog. She and the dog search for poached animals in the parks. The dog is very well behaved and just wanted to have her ears rubbed.
Fruita Campground – the campground is not large but the spots are fairly big, I could park another van next to me and still have room. Each spot has the table and fire pit and beautiful views of the mountainside. Restrooms are very nice and clean, one of the best that I have seen in National Parks. The trash is a hike but when in the parks why not walk a bit and they are still closer than the ones at Bryce Canyon. The campground has 3 loops and A and B are at the same entrance and then C has it’s own entrance.
Cohab Canyon Trail – the trail starts just outside of the campground, yea no driving, and is 1.7 miles one way. The elevation gain/loss is only 440 feet but that is all in the first 0.3 miles. Once you are doing with the elevation you go into the canyon and there is some downhill and back up in the canyon, A part of the canyon I was thinking it reminded me of Cadilac Mountain in Adadia as you have to go over rocks and the trail is marked by big rocks and rock piles. The first part of the trail, up part is switchbacks and is hard dirt and some stairs. The canyon part is soft sand except for the walking over giant rocks. At one point I was confused as to which way to go and I had to get my bearings and noticed the rocks outlining the trail. The trail is the start to many of the hikes at the top of the mountain. You can catch the Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs and Hickman bridge. The trail also will take you to state highway 25 if you care to start your hike from there. I only did this trail as the wind and pollen the past few days have me not feeling 100% so after napping and sleeping most of the day away I went on hike.
Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail – Starting with full disclosure, I could not find the trail head and I went on a bit of a walk about to the Fruita School, visitor center and the blacksmith shop before I found the trail head. To say the least it was a nice walk. Best way to get to the trail head is the blacksmith shop there is a service road and take that service road up to the trail head. The trail is 2.3 miles one way and has an elevation gain of 1090 feet one way. When you get to the trail head you go up but it is less than 300 feet elevation gain. Then the path is a walking path not much wider than one person can walk. The path is also rock and dirt but is an easy walk once you have gotten up the first 300 feet or so. This walk is nice but it allows you to forget that you need to go up another 700 feet or so and that is the killer. You will come to a stack stone marker for the trail and it is at the top of a slight incline. You think cool I am almost there but NOT. The marker just shows you that you are on the right path and the rest of the way is up hill and the markers for the trail are stack stones. The is a big rock that is elevated and as you come over the little hill you are looking up at the rock but at the top you are looking down at this rock, see photos. You have made the top when you see a big pile of rocks that are on a rock cliff. A few points along the path up/down you do come close to the edge but nothing that will require someone to say I don’t want to do it due to fear of heights as close is about 2-3 feet from the edge. When you arrive at the top enjoy the view and get a snack as it is another 2.3 miles down to the road. Overall my hike today took 4 hours but I also did 8 miles total, remember I could not find the trail head. One of the things I liked about the trail is NOBODY was on the trail going up and it was not until I got to the “big” rock that I saw three people. They were on a trip that started in February and they are working while on the trip, at least two of them are working. The lone guy is not working so he is doing more exploring. These three were the only people on the trail and the only sounds you heard besides your huffing and puffing was the wind or an occasional airplane. It is hike that I enjoyed a great deal and would do it again not for the view but the lack of people. The view as good but I have seen better.
