The Frying Pan Trail connects either Hickman Bridge trailhead or Cohab Canyon trailhead on the Scenic Drive to Grand Wash The trail is a stunning hike across a mesa with picturesque distant views and many up close towers and hoodoos to see along the way It is an excellent hike, though would be miserable when it’s hot in the summer Perhaps summer heat is why it is called the Frying Pan Sizzle! Plan this one for spring/fall, or in the winter if there is no snow There are a few ways to do this hike If going from the t...

Cassidy Canyon makes for an interesting, and casual, 1/2 day out if your in Capitol Reef It has some unique features, including being one of few canyons that you rappel through one arch, and two natural bridges en route The canyon holds unique scenery and is well suited for most canyoneers Given the canyons steep nature, and small drainage, it does not hold much water This makes it an excellent year around choice, although the approach can be hot in the summer Don't attempt the canyon if snow is on the ground, gett...

Twin Rocks is one of the prominent roadside formations in Capitol Reef National Park, located along Utah Highway 24, just west of the Visitor Center It’s an easy-to-see landmark - no hike required - and gives a great example of the park’s classic sedimentary layering and erosional shapes Many visitors make the road side stop to see and photograph the Twin Rocks A small percentage of those wander up to the base of Twin Rocks to see it up close I think wandering up and looking through the small "window" between the t...

Cottonwood, Capitol Reef seems to have a bit of everything Not knowing what to expect, Almost Grand turned out to be a true gem It is in the Navajo layer and has stunning slot sections, sculpted rappels, and even a semi-keeper pothole In addition to a stunning canyon, the approach hike offers big views of Capitol Reef and the surrounding areas The canyon has a price, though, with potentially difficult anchors The current anchors mostly deadman could easily wash out in a flood, and there is not much material to work...

Five Mile is one of the trio of canyons that descend off the Waterpocket Fold to the Notom road Unlike its neighbors Burro and Cottonwood, Five Mile feels like it has many more open sections, though the slot sections are very good Well worth doing, but I would put Cottonwood first on the list, Burro second, then Five Mile

If there is a heart of Capitol Reef, this hike surely visits it At about 10-11 miles in length, the Lower Spring Canyon hike has enough length to keep the crowds away and feel isolated and remote, yet both trailheads are easily accessible from highway 24 and the route offers easy hiking with few obstacles I can't recommend this enough to fit hikers looking for a full day deep in the heart of Capitol Reef This, in my opinion, is one of the very best ways to experience the magic of the area The start of the hike offe...

Pandora's holds a special place in my heart It was one of the first canyons I explored without beta The first time we checked it out, we found no signs of passage, and fixed the first several drops Impressed by what we found, but out of rope and time, we retreated to come back and finish it another day Since then I have done the whole canyon several times, and just the upper section another 3 or 4 times It never fails to impress The canyon was done without the use of bolts Pandora's has a unique character The canyo...

Rising dramatically from the slickrock expanse of Capitol Reef National Park, the Navajo Knobs are among the park’s most striking landmarks Perched high atop the massive Navajo Sandstone formation, this hike offers a commanding 360-degree view over the Waterpocket Fold, Fruita orchards, and the vast desert beyond Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs is a great hike to get out and stretch your legs on easy terrain The hike can be done to the Rim Overlook 45 miles round trip or stretched out to the Navajo Knobs around 9 mil...

First, a recommendation; If you have the time and energy, I highly recommend doing the full Sulphur Creek hike over just the lower section described here The lower section described here is excellent, but only gives a small taste of the even more exquisite full Sulphur Creek If time, energy, or motivation only allow for a short 1-2 hour outing, especially on a hot day, this is a hike I highly recommend! The hike, starting at the visitor center, meanders casually along...

Ferns Nipple is prominent and viewable from many areas of the park From a distance, it looks remote and a potentially difficult summit to reach via very complicated navigation In reality, however, this is a fairly casual route that is frequently done Though it has some exposure, the hike is relatively straightforward and never harder than easy 5th class In truth, it is likely only 4th class with a little bit of exposure A short rope 10m may be recommended for the timid, but most won't need it This is not a route fo...