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| On the Trail leaving Cathedral Valley via Hartnet Rd. |
Just as we get started wheeling in Canyonlands National Park you can't wait until the next 4 wheeling expedition. That takes us right to Capitol Reef and Cathedral Valley National Park not before we stop in Green River a little town just off of I-70. A cheap low cost motel to bath-in 4 nights dry camping can do that to you, It's welcome none the least.
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| Layered monument, Capital Reef National Park |
We got ready that morning in search for coffee before we jumped on I-70 west to SR 24 then south to Caineville. We turn north on NFS 920 a 32 mile gravel trail to upper Cathedral Valley. A Site-seeing extravaganza on every turn the horizon was filled with massive canyon walls. Millions of years old the rock monuments are made of fractured Windgate Sandstone perched upon grey Chinle and red Moenkopi Formations. The out come is something spectacular to see up close as you tumble on a 4-wd track through the amazing Cathedral Valley.
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| Driving through Cathedral Valley |
Capital Reef's defining geologic feature is a wrinkle in the Earth's crust, extending nearly 100 miles from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell. When driving through the park before you a vibrant palette of colors spills across the landscape. The hues are constantly changing, altered by the play of light against the towering cliffs, massive domes, arches, bridges, and twisting canyons.
We camp one night at the only campsite located inside the park
Cathedral Valley Campground. Being the only campers, camped there we soaked in the overlook of
Upper Cathedral Valley. The wind was up and we chose a spot with a Alpine Juniper and a twisted weather beaten Pine for a wind break. Stars were out that night as we looked up to see frequent falling stars or small meteors cruising across the vastness of space.
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| Temple Of the Sun Cathedral Valley |
Checking out some of the more noted formations like Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon creature like monoliths of gigantic proportion right in front of you. Drive on the turn off for a closer look you get a touchy-feelly view of Glass Mountain.
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| Camping in Fruita Capital Reef National Park |
Driving on upper and lower Cathedral Rd. we make our exit on the lower Cathedral Rd. Trail riding across so many different landscapes only to finish the track plunging through a significant water crossing, Damn what a Trail ride!!
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| Water crossing |
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| U-Pick |
Dumping out on CR 24 we head to Fruita and the Visitor center for Capital Reef National Park. Here we find one of only two sites available at the Campground. The history of Fruita is quite unique, located on the Fremont River a oasis of farmland nestled in between the Petroglyphic canyon walls. We picked home grown peaches, apples and pears enjoyed them even more knowing the history of these old orchards.
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| Rain across Cathedral Valley |
Leaving the area we drove a scenic trail right from the campground, Nice! I spot a dirt track towards Pleasant Creek. I looked at the map and notice this trail is kinda in the direction we are headed. Bingo, off we go,
OMG!!! Trixie was gripping white knuckled anything she could get her hands on. This trail was on-edge, literally. Through wash outs switchbacks and rock crawling about 1 hour and half later we hit asphalt CR 12.
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| Sand, rock and plant, Capital Reef National Park |
Heading north we needed to re-provision, gas food ice and water. We needed to get to a larger town with a decent food store going west 23 miles away we ran to
Loa. It was Sunday and a lot of business's were closed except for Food City and the Dollar Store. We got gas at a CC only pump and ran back east. To the Aquarius Hotel in
Bicknell for the night, baths and laundry. Holy Shnikes!! a pool!!! Trixies's Happy!!
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| Driving to upper Cathedral Rd. |
The next morning we went in search of Nortom-Bullfrog Rd. leading us to The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Can you say Burr-Trail Switchbacks!!!!
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| Lower South Desert Waterpockets Fold CRNP |
See you on the Trail!!...
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Writer's note; My Chief Editor, Trixie is on Vacation!
