October 14-15 th - Capital
Reef National Park
It's a long drive to Capital Reef National Park from
Antelope Island, about 5 hours with a lunch stop but sure worth it. Coming off the I70 south of Salt Lake City onto Hwy 24 took us past the Fish Lake National Forest. What a kaleidoscope of tree colours.
The campground is full so we went back to the boondocking spot just outside the western park boundary. Only a few people here when we arrived but by 9pm the place is full of people in rigs, tents etc. This is where the park sends people when the campground is full. Apparently this week all of the kids are out of school so the place is brimming.
We settled into a lovely spot. Ray took some lovely evening shots.
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| The mountain above our campsite |
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Above and below, two views of the Western entrance to the Capital Reef National Park
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The next morning Ray captured some sunrise shots from the campsite of the little town of Torrey UT and The Ant Hill just to the north of town and The Cocks Comb to the south.
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| Above and below is Torrey |
We went in the lineup for a campsite at 8:30 the next morning and got one but after checking it out decided against it as it was under a thick canopy of trees so no solar or satellite. While there, we explored the Gifford Farmhouse in the old Fruita townsite and "The Castle" just to the north.
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| The Castle above and below |
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| Gifford Farmhouse |
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| Large tree in Fruita |
We went back to the campsite to pick up Freya and our lunch and then off to explore the park.
First up is the Twin Rocks:
Then on down Highway 24 to see some petroglyphs and Castle Dome:
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| Capitol Dome |
Continuing on Hwy 24 to check out some other boondocking possibilities on the Eastern boundary of the park. On the way we found in succession:
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| Above and below Navajo Knobs |
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| Navajo Dome |
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| Water Pocket Fold |
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| Capitol Reef |
We turned off Notom Rd an found a couple of spots which would work, but we decided we were happy to stay where we are even though lots of people come and go.
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| A lovely spot on Notom Rd with a view of Capitol Reef. This one would have moved to if empty. |
A little further along Notom Rd is a great viewpoint of Capitol Reef:
We then doubled back to the Visitor Center and carried down through the park on the
scenic drive.
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| Freemont River |
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Slick Rock Divide
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Absolutely gorgeous. We then turned down Capitol Gorge Road and I enjoyed our picnic lunch at the very end of the road.
The next three pics of the Golden Throne along the Capitol Gorge Rd
Spent a lovely couple hours in the shade of the coach when we got back and then a couple hours of TV after dinner. Ray could hardly wait for some evening pictures from out campsite. He only got the quick two yesterday but wanted to concentrate on other areas tonight.
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Our campsite
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| Navajo Knobs |
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| Castle Rock |
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| Chimney Rock and The Castle |
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| Castle Rock |
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| Chimney Rock |
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