As the name would imply, Sunset Point is one of THE PLACES TO BE in Capitol Reef at sunset The short hike to the viewpoint offs excellent views and colors as the sun slowly descends every evening Even on the cold and windy evening I visited, there were 15 or 20 people out watching the spectacle This is a photographers dream, bring a camera! The super short Goosenecks starts from the same trailhead and offers good views into the Goosenecks that Sulphur Creek cuts on its way to the Fremont River Both hikes should be ...

Stem School Canyon is a short canyon just off highway 24 in Capitol Reef The canyon is short, and not terribly dramatic, but makes for a great outing to fill out the day The canyon will be one I will not soon forget! Halfway through I heard a large rockfall just ahead of me It turned out to be a desert sheep not more than 20 feet away heading down canyon on a ledge He did not seem particularly concerned I was there, and continued along his way after a few minutes, taking a steep route up and out of the canyon that ...

Navajo Knobs is one of my favorite hikes in Capitol Reef If you are a hiker, see the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs Trail for more information on the hike The route described here is my attempt at turning the out-and-back Navajo Knobs hike into a loop and is a technical route requiring one rappel If you have ever done the Navajo Knobs hike, you may have stared down from the end of the trail at the colorful canyon below and wondered about it This route hikes the usual N...

This is one of my favorite hikes in the park, even if just doing it as a hike, and not taking the technical canyoneering route back to the trailhead The hike is moderate, with about a 670 vertical foot gain from Grand Wash to the arch perched high on the cliffs above Grand Wash Afternoon seems to offer best lighting for pictures, but start early in the day during the summer to beat the afternoon heat History Note: According to local lore and National Park Service hist...

I kept putting off the Fremont Gorge Viewpoint hike, not expecting it to be particularly good It surprised me! The hike is moderate to strenuous, with about a 1000' gain over 23 miles one way, but offers nice views of the surprisingly deep and scenic Fremont River Gorge From the top of the gorge near Grover or bottom of the gorge at the Visitor Center, one would not have any idea the depth and sheer walls the gorge creates as it cuts through the mesa The hike offers virtually no shade This is a good one to do in th...

Old School is one of those canyons you do when you have an hour or two at the end of the day and aren't ready to settle down in camp or head back to civilization Though a 1 rappel wonder, it makes a pleasant outing and a nice way to round out a day It would also be beginner friendly with competent leadership, and a gentle introduction to canyoneering There is a pool mid-way down the rappel that requires a bit of creative stemming to avoid Beginners will get wet, intermediate canyoneers will enjoy the challenge No w...

A casual jaunt up from the campground ends with big views of the Fruita area and Waterpocket Fold Though similar views, this is a hike I would highly recommend over The Old Wagon Road It offers great views, especially in evening lighting as the sun is setting on the Waterpocket Fold You are very likely to see deer and other wildlife during the first part of this hike

A big hike with big views, Stegosaur visits an area of stunning domes that are visible from many parts of the park If you are a technical canyoneer, I would recommend doing the Stegosaur Canyon loop, which visits the same terrain, but with a nice technical canyon to descend This route is the same approach, but for not technical hikers The hike is MOSTLY on the well trodden Rim Overlook or Navajo Domes trail, but leaves t...

A very popular family hike, Grand Wash offers a family friendly outing in a short package The round trip distance is 44 miles, or if you have two cars, it can be done as a one way 22 mile through hike For those wanting something shorter, I would recommend parking at the bottom trailhead on Highway 24 and walking up from the bottom This visits the best narrow section of Grand Wash in a casual 20-30 minutes one way from the trailhead For those wanting something longer, see the [my:linkToObject type="trip" id="543" te...

Na-gah Canyon is a short fork of Shinob Canyon that drains into Grand Wash The canyon is good, but really short A couple of down climbs, followed by a few rappels through an impressive dark and twisty section, and it is done Though tough to recommend Na-Gah on its own, it does make a pleasant 1/2 or 3/4 day when combined with hiking Ferns Nipple the map shows both the canyon and Ferns Nipple Route The scenery on the approach and Ferns Nipple make for a great day, with...