Capitol Reef National Park

We visited Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. It is a long skinny park, encompassing the Waterpocket Fold, “a geologic wrinkle on earth” (quoting from the NPS site; really should be “in earth”).

Here’s a map; click it to explore the NPS map:

Map

Capitol Reef signs:

Capitol Reef sign

Capitol Reef sign

Lots of interesting rocks:

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Jenn talking with someone else at the cancellation stamping station:

Jenn stamping

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

A large wall-mounted map:

Map

Rocks

Marmot crossing

We stopped by Gifford House, a historic Mormon homestead, which now contains a gift and pie shop:

Gifford House

Gifford House

Gifford House

Gifford House

Gifford House

We bought a couple of fruit pies as a snack:

Pies

We also got a jam sampler:

Jams

Outside:

Cart

Horse

Back on the scenic drive in the park:

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Our drive led to the trailhead for a hike though a canyon, and on impulse we decided to do it (which was a bit silly, as we weren’t properly dressed for it, but oh well):

Hike trailhead

Rocks

Flowers

Rocks

Petroglyphs:

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

Some names from 1911, halfway up a wall:

Names

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

A painter:

Painter

Painter

Rocks

The “pioneer register” rock etchings from the 1880’s:

Rock etching

Rock etching

Rock etching

Rock etching

Rock etching

Rock etching

Rock etching

A security camera to make sure nobody adds more markings (probably battery powered, recording for later review; or maybe a dummy):

Camera

Rocks

Jenn & David

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Back in the truck:

Rocks

IMG 5216

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Blowing dust:

Dust

Dust

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

Rocks

A nice park. Stay tuned for more posts from here from subsequent days.