Monthly Archives: March 2015

Lower Muley Twist Canyon and Hamburger Rocks (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

The circuitous hike through Capitol Reef National Park’s Lower Muley Twist Canyon extends for close to 12 miles from the Burr Trail Road to its southern mouth at the Halls Creek drainage. Highlights along the backcountry route include 1,000-foot cliffs … Continue reading →

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Lower Muley Twist Canyon – Upper Section (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

With sweeping alcoves and towering walls, Lower Muley Twist Canyon has become one of Capitol Reef National Park’s most popular backpacking destinations. To the ambitious, it can also be conquered in a couple of lengthy day hikes—though an overnight is … Continue reading →

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Cottonwood Wash (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Of Capitol Reef National Park’s three strenuous slot canyons off the Notom-Bullfrog Road (Sheets Gulch and Burro Wash being the others), Cottonwood Wash is, to many, the most frustrating. The culprit is a deep, chilly pool—frequently over head high—encountered just … Continue reading →

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Upper Spring Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Spring Canyon—a winding gorge that cuts roughly east-west through Capitol Reef National Park—is traditionally segmented into two parts: a lengthy upper section beginning outside the park’s western boundary and a shorter, narrower lower portion that spits out at the Fremont … Continue reading →

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Capitol Reef National Park in Winter

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Recording roughly 700,000 visitors per year—many of whom had never heard of the place before stumbling upon it—Capitol Reef National Park is much less touted that in its famous neighbors: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion. The reward of Capitol … Continue reading →

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Chesler Park Loop Trail, including Joint Trail (Canyonlands National Park, UT)

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

The Needles District in eastern Utah’s Canyonlands National Park features a maze of towering pinnacles, winding canyons, and mushroom rocks—and the Chesler Park Loop winds through perhaps the best of it. The roughly 11-mile stem-and-loop circumnavigates a grassy plain flanked … Continue reading →

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Lower Spring Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Spring Canyon—a popular overnight destination in Capitol Reef National Park—is often considered in two separate parts: a lengthy upper canyon that begins outside the park’s western boundary and a roughly 7-mile lower portion. Chimney Rock Canyon, accessed by way of … Continue reading →

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Old Wagon Trail (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

To those who know Capitol Reef National Park well, the Old Wagon Trail is often considered the red-headed stepchild of the park’s front-country hikes. Though the 3.8-mile stem-and-loop—starting right off the Scenic Drive—features one excellent viewpoint, it comes at a … Continue reading →

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Red Canyon Trail (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

One of a half-dozen hikes taking off from Capitol Reef National Park’s north-south Notom-Bullfrog Road, the Red Canyon Trail leads to an impressive amphitheater of scarlet-colored Wingate sandstone walls. Rocky promontories in the Wingate, similar in appearance to the celebrated … Continue reading →

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Upper Muley Twist Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

A long day hike or 2-day backpacking trip, the 9-mile lasso-loop at Upper Muley Twist Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park has it all: colorful, striated cliffs; sinuous slots; a half-dozen impressive arches; and spectacular views atop a beautiful section … Continue reading →

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