Tag Archives: Waterpocket Fold

Return to Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Andrew Wojtanik

After more than five years away, yours truly finally had the chance to return to Capitol Reef National Park in central Utah, where I spent a lovely winter as a seasonal interpretive volunteer. Having effectively already covered all the hikes … Continue reading →

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Notom-Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail to Bullfrog Marina

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

If you’ve made it to Capitol Reef National Park in central Utah, you’ve already reached one of the American West’s most isolated destinations. Wayne County, in which much of Capitol Reef is located, has not a single stoplight, and any … Continue reading →

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Capitol Gorge Trail, including the Tanks (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

The mostly level and shady Capitol Gorge Trail continues up the narrow canyon where the scenic Capitol Gorge Road ends. A geological cousin of nearby Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge also played a central role in the area’s human history. For … Continue reading →

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Lower South Desert Overlook (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park is usually divided into three districts: the Fremont River District, home to more than a dozen maintained trails and the bulk of visitor traffic; the wild, southern Waterpocket District, home to slot canyons and the … Continue reading →

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Oak Creek Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

The Waterpocket Fold, a massive wrinkle in the Earth visible in its entirety only from space, stretches north-south for nearly 100 miles through Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park. Despite its considerable length, however, this colorful sea of Jurassic and Triassic … Continue reading →

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Halls Creek Narrows via “airport route” (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Andrew Wojtanik

Hundreds of thousands flock to southwestern Utah’s Zion National Park each year to witness the famed Zion Narrows, where the majestic Virgin River has sculpted a 16-mile stretch of cavernous bends and twists seemingly unique in their beauty. Midway across … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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