Capturing the Endless at Capitol Reef National Park
April 2021
Returning to Capitol Reef's Gorge
We started our visit to Capitol Reef at the west entrance near Torrey, Utah. After picking up brochures at the visitor center, we headed to the Capitol Gorge parking lot and set out on a hike through the deep, narrow canyon. Most of our day was spent there. It wasn’t until we were deep into the canyon that we realized we had been here before, back in August 2017.
We passed the Pioneer Register and paused to look at the names early settlers carved into the cliffs. We considered hiking to the Tanks, but the trail there became too narrow and steep for me, so I waited while my husband went ahead. On our way back, the day felt even more special when we spotted bighorn sheep standing high on the ridge, watching us. We admired the Golden Throne, which glowed with a distinct honey-colored hue against the blue sky.
Exploring the Landmarks of Capitol Reef
After our long hike, we drove through the park and stopped at several impressive viewpoints. We saw the Capitol Dome, a massive, rounded formation of white Navajo Sandstone that resembles the dome of the U.S. Capitol.
We also visited the historic Mormon settlement of Fruita to see the Gifford Homestead. The Gifford House, built in 1908, is now a museum and a seasonal pie shop.
Next, we checked out the petroglyph panel, where the Fremont people (about 600–1300 A.D.) carved human-like figures with trapezoidal bodies into the rock.
We admired the Fluted Wall, which reveals layers of sediment deposited over millions of years. From one viewpoint, I took a panoramic photo of the snow-capped Henry Mountains rising behind the red rocks.
One last short hike to Sunset Point marked the end of our Capitol Reef visit. Standing at the edge of the overlook, we felt the true vastness of the park, a perfect way to say farewell.