I have been in Capitol Reef in 2008 and must say that it is one of the most stunning locations on earth. This is a short guide about what you should check out there and what not.
It might look like a giant robust bulldozer dug through this trench of the earth’s crust; but actually, the Capitol Reef is an important natural wonder. The Capitol Reef National Park has been protecting this famous place because of its significance to the immediate environment. I’ve been to the Capitol Reef park and I must say that they did a really good job in turning the place into a sight to behold for tourists and locals alike. Once you enter the park, you will be stunned by the serious high-cliffs where you can take a good look at the trench which lines the coast of Utah.
The Golden Throne
Capitol Reef is not accessible by any means of transportation except by helicopter. However, a bus service takes visitors around the park all day. Beneath the cliffs, they will see the natural formation of the Capitol Reef, which is simply a waterpocket fold that stretched all the way through until the end of the land form. This waterpocket came from the Thousand Lake Mountain all the way to the Colorado River. Just like the Grand Canyon, its geological history dates back to the early Mesozoic era, where water sedimentary deposits grew rich, thus causing the rock formations around to grow immensely. The Capitol Reef is also a waterway for the Colorado River’s smaller water systems and streams. Therefore, it is still an important land and rock formation that needs to be protected and taken cared of.
Much of the Capitol Reef National Park’s beauty is due to the colourful cliffs surrounding the area. I was hooked on admiring the multicolor cliffs and I was able to see a huge sample of the limestone rocks which have been formed at Capitol Reef. These rocks were located inside the park’s Capitol Reef exhibit. Like all land forms, there are also sections within the Capitol Reef, but most are not accessible. These sections are grouped into categories called Members. The Black Dragon Member, the Sinbad Limestone Member, the Torrey Member, and the Moody Canyon Member are those four sections within the Capitol Reef. These are what make up the pile-up of rock. Each layer measures differently. The shortest among all of them would be the Moody Canyon Member, which is only 300-400 feet thick. However, imagine how tall these rock formations really are if the shortest layer was that thick. It’s like ten Eiffel towers piled up on top of each other.
If there’s one word to describe the Capitol Reef, its existence and the madness in the way it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the desert lands, it would be magnificence. It may have been a fluke of nature, but there certainly is more history in these rock formations than say, my virgin trip to the desert lands. I have been fortunate enough to see this place unfold before my eyes. I wouldn’t think twice on visiting this park again. Capitol Reef National Park is definitely in my list of places to reach before I die.
Leaving Bryce and Escalante Canyon behind my next national park in Utah is the so called Capitol Reef. I am currently driving on the scenic highway through it and would like to let you know my Capitol Reef review so you an decide whether you think Capitol Reef is worth the money or not.
A Capitol reef national park picture (click to enlarge):
For more information about geographic aspects and history of the park, please check this link.
My hotel is just outside the town of Torrey, the Best Western Capitol Reef resort. It’s ideal, because it is just outside of Capitol Reef with a beautiful view on multicolored Capitol Reef. The first people living here were Mormon settlers, they opened farms, that’s why their village was named Fruita. The Mormons living here in Capitol Reef sold their property at around 1910. You can now visit Fruita with your car and see how the Mormons lived over here in Capitol Reef. As I am giving a short review, I can only recommend you to check out the small Oasis in the middle of Capitol Reef. Also make sure to check out the visitor center here in Capitol Reef as it gives you relatively good background about Capitol Reef. Also check out this link. to get more information on the web about Capitol Reef.
Right after Fruita I took the scenic drive it costs 5$ and is well worth the money. Beautiful cliffs and rocks can be seen on both sides of the street. The scenery is unique and amazing. I am amazed by this extreme experience. Every mile you see a shield warning you of flash floods here in Capitol Reef. Be careful and don’t over estimate yourself when it rains. I am heading back to my hotel. Check out my Best Western Capitol Reef resort review and my Arches Canyon review, where I will be tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed my short review of Capitol Reef. My rating 10/10.
Below a satellite map of Capitol reef national park
Zion National Park is one of the most popular National parks in western USA. I went from Firestone National park directly to Zion National Park and would like to give you a short review of Zion National park. It was quite late already around 8 pm. when I entered the park because my hotel, the Zion Mountain resort was located outside of the park at the other side. It was quite an extreme experience, seeing Zion national park in the dark with all the curvy roads and sharp cliffs. I can definitely recommend you to do that as well. If you are in the first tunnel when driving through the park, turn off the light for a scary, exciting feeling which you do not want to miss.
A picture of Zion National Park (click to enlarge):
For more information about the park, geographical and historical aspects, please see this link
Here a pretty good video which I found on youtube showing my route through the park. I will never forget that hike with the stunning landscape.
On the next morning I went back to the entrance of Zion national park to the visitor center. It is located on the right when you enter the park and can not be missed. There are restrooms and a huge parking lot which however is easily full. You will have to be there before 10 am or you might not be able to park. You are required to park there because only from that parking lot you can directly access shuttle buses and only by using those buses you can access the most beautiful parts of Zion National Park. As an alternative to the every 6 minute departing shuttle buses you could also ride your bike to those places. Take the shuttle bus to the last stop and follow the trail following the river from there. It is very beautiful as you are walking next to the 1000 feet high cliffs. The landscape of Zion National park is unique and definitely worth a watch :). I went to the Emerald pools after and took a trail from there to the so called Grotto. Make sure to take a lot of water with you and be prepared for an experience you will never forget. I hope you enjoyed my short Zion National Park review.
I would like to give you a short review of the town Panguitch which is located in the Dixie National Forest. It is considered to be one of the towns where you overnight before entering Bryce Canyon. Another and probably the most popular alternative for a sleep would be Ruby’s Inn. It is 500 feet away from Bryce Canyon’s entrance.
I am staying in the town of Panguitch. Almost all motels seem to provide free WiFi, that’s at least what they advertise. The town itself has nothing except a Subway and a super market where Mormons save 30 %. There are no special shops and nothing else very exciting. It is around 20 miles from here to Bryce Canyon, that’s why I recommend you to go to Ruby’s Inn directly. I do not like it here in Panguitch very much, and would not recommend you to overnight here. Only do that if you only need a place to sleep and nothing more.
I will head to Bryce Canyon tomorrow, if you like, have a look and read my Bryce Canyon review.
After leaving the Dixie national forest I decided to find a hotel in Panguitch before going to Bryce Canyon. I found the Purple Sage Motel and would like to give you a short review of it. The outer shield says: high speed internet, cable television and hot tub. All of them is available except the WiFi. First of all you get a 20 digit key which you have to enter and then you are unable to connect, The women at the desk seemed not to be able to help me with my problem, so I am staying with no WiFi although that was promised on the advertisement at the entrance.
The balconies are a bit dirty and the rooms smell a little bit bad, except that the purple Sage Motel is okay. I am sitting on the bad here and must say I am a bit pissed because my promised internet access does not work as it should.
If you like read my Panguitch review, that’s where the Purple Sage Motel is located.
Edit: The WiFi works now and I am watching CSI Las Vegas.
