Sunday, April 15, 2007

Capitol Reef NM, Utah

We left our nice camp at Sand Island and headed North on highway 191 toward Blanding then West on highway 95 just as we did yesterday. This time, we continued on highway 95 through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to Hanksville then West on highway 24 into Capitol Reef National Park.

We stopped in Hanksville for gas and bought another windshield repair kit. I secured the crack in the drivers windshield and we were on the road again with less fear of a growing crack.

Colorado River  At Hick City Overlook, Glen Canyon NRA, Utah Flowers At Hick City Overlook, Glen Canyon NRA, Utah
We stopped at the Hick City overlook on Highway 95. The colorado River was just below . This is the East end of Lake Powell.

Flowers At Hick City Overlook, Glen Canyon NRA, Utah Flowers At Hick City Overlook, Glen Canyon NRA, Utah
There were many flowers along our roads. These were at the overlook.

Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof Capitol Reef, Utah Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof   Capitol Reef, Utah
We stopped in a narrow canyon along highway 24 East of Capitol Reef NM. The walls of the canyon were very flat and parallel to each other. Any vehicle approaching within a 1/2 mile sounded like a freight train. We stopped here to take some pictures of the many flowers.

Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof Capitol Reef, Utah Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof   Capitol Reef, Utah

Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof Capitol Reef, Utah Flowers Along Highway 24 Eof   Capitol Reef, Utah
The flowers are amazing since so little grows here.

Flowers On Trail to Hickman Natural  Bridge Flowers On Trail to Hickman Natural    Bridge

We stopped and hiked up to Hickman Natural Bridge. This 2 mile (rt) hike was well worth the effort. We hiked through a nice wash amoung some interestingly carved rocks to the bridge. There were some nice flowers along the trail as well. The one on the right above had been elisive all day. We saw similar flowers several times as we passed on the road but there was never a place to pull over nearby. We finally caught up to some on the trail.

Flowers On Trail to Hickman Natural  Bridge Flowers On Trail to Hickman Natural    Bridge

So many different flowers.

Trail to Hickman Natural  Bridg Small Bridge On Trail to Hickman Natural  Bridge
The trail provided other nice views. Along the way, we saw this small bridge across the wash.

Hickman Natural  Bridge, Capitol Reef NP, Utah Hickman Natural  Bridge, Capitol   Reef NP, Utah
There were dark clouds to our West that looked like they were leaking. When we got back to the parking area, it looked like the Fremont River flow was twice as much. It may have just been our impression though.

Capitol Reff NP, Utah , Waterfall Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef, Utah
On our way to the park we stopped along side the road by a waterfall on the Fremont River. We hiked over for a closer look before continuing. On the right above is our campsite at Fruita. This is a wonderful setting in an old orchard. Much of the orchards are still producing. There are some exhibits nearby of an old farmhouse, blacksmith shop and school. It's really an oasis.

No comments:

Post a Comment