Epic Summer Adventure: Capitol Reef National Park

Welcome to Capitol Reef!

Breakfast Tacos!!

We stayed at the Fruita Campsite, which happens to be a Mormon settlement from the late 1800's

Let the hiking begin! June 14th (Tuesday)

Cohab Canyon Moderate ~ 1 hr 45 min or 3.5 miles round trip 440 foot elevation change
Hidden Canyon with spur trails and overlooks.

FUN!

Sand, my least favorite hiking terrain.

Many different colored rocks were interesting to see.

This is what the park is named after. Supposedly it looks like a Capitol.
Elizabeth thought it looks more like a Bee Hive, which I agreed.
But we decided that Beehive Reef wasn't as cool sounding.

Follow the Cairns. There is a gospel analogy somewhere in that phrase.
Pretty sure I will use it in a talk someday.
More on this when we get to Canyonlands. :)

The Grand Wash
Probably my least favorite hiking experience
Mostly because it was like hiking in sand for 5 miles. sheesh.
The last 2.5 miles was after I had twisted my ankle.
We also attached the Cassidy Arch trail with the Grand Wash.

So 2.5 miles in the wash then 3.5 miles for Cassidy Arch.
We went a little longer then we meant to because the Cassidy Arch Trail was kind of hidden.
Then 2.5 miles back in the wash.

Grand Wash - Easy ~ 2.5 hours or 5 miles round trip 200 foot elevation change
Narrow wash bottom with sheer canyon walls on both sides.

Cassidy Arch - Strenuous ~ 2 hours or 3.5 miles round trip 670 foot elevation change
Climbs steeply with some exposure along high cliffs, ending on top of the arch. (named after Butch Cassidy who was said to have hidden in the canyons.)

Cassidy Arch trail is where I mis stepped and slightly twisted my ankle.
I let it rest for a little while and then carefully hiked down the trail.
I prayed so much before this trip that I would be able to have a good adventure and everything would go all right. I feel like I was greatly blessed. The next day I had forgotten that I had even twisted my ankle.

There is the arch we are going to!

The other side of the Arch

Can you see me?
Good thing I was wearing green. :)

After our hiking we decided to go on a hike with our car!
How fun to be driving around in our car on a car trail. :)

Sunset Point and Goosenecks was our last and final hikes of the day.
It was beautiful!

Sunset point - Easy ~ 15 min or .6 miles round trip 50 foot elevation change
Panoramic view of cliffs and domes; dramatic lighting at days end.

Goosenecks - Easy ~ 2 min or .2 miles round trip 50 foot elevation change
Views of Sulphur Creek Canyon; panoramas

Total Day/Park Hike: 13 miles

This was a fun day!

3 more parks to go
Four Corners
&
Vegas

Really who knew you could pack this much fun into one adventure!

I dare you!

I promise I am worth it!

Emotionally Exhausted

There are days when I feel emotionally exhausted!

When things in life feel overwhelming.

If I didn't have to go to work, I would likely stay in bed,

curled up with a teddy bear to hug

because I feel un-motivated.

Pain seems to be my hearts constant companion.

On days like those

I pray about my pain as I am struggling to get out of bed

I read my scriptures, hoping for comfort

I listen to songs like this to remind me I am not alone





The pain sometimes slowly and other times quickly lifts

I find it easier to get out of bed

and go about my daily responsibilities.

I read my scriptures and know my source of comfort.

Epic Summer Adventure: Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park was somewhat close to Capitol Reef

So when we left for Capitol Reef and after getting our campground we went to Goblin Valley for evening fun! We played among the Goblins and watched the sunset.



It was beautiful

There were no trails in the area we went so we explored our own way. Making sure to not get lost among the Goblins that all look the same.
So much fun!

Random: What is it with guys and the need to be naked outside? Some guy climbed to the top of one of the hills and let it all hang loose. I got the full on moon shot, and opted not to look in that direction again. Men.

Epic Summer Adventure: Bryce Canyon NP

Up early and off to Bryce Canyon National Park in hopes of getting a campground and church.

Campground check!

Utah always amazes me with its ability for a tiny, blink and you'll miss it, ranching community to have a good size ward. Def not in Texas anymore.

Back at Bryce we took the opportunity to appreciate the beauty God has blessed us with and hiked the Fairyland Loop. I kept having the song "For the Beauty of the Earth" run through my head as we hiked. Before we went we learned about hoodoos which is what Bryce Canyon is covered in. Basically ice and snow melt during the day and refreeze at night. Getting into the cracks and fractures of the rocks. When the water refreezes it puts pressure on the rock forcing it apart, eventually creating hoodoos.

Fairyland Loop Strenuous ~ 4 hrs or 8 miles round trip. 933 foot elevation change.

Steep grades with multiple elevation changes.

I am waving hello to Seth on his birthday (June 12) from Bryce Canyon.

I sent it to him as a post card. :)

Total Day Hike: 8 miles + random ~ .5 mile - the trail head was not well marked. :)

The great thing about our trip was that we had the freedom to go with the flow.
As Elizabeth said "The great thing about first come first serve campsites is that it really lends to the heart of an adventurer."

We definitely felt like we were adventurer's and loved it!

We decided we would hike around Bryce Monday morning and then head off towards Capitol Reef NP praying we would be able to get a campsite. (spoiler: we got a campsite just in time. Pretty sure we took the last available camp site in the park! Whew.)

We combine several different hikes to get the most out of our visit. Peekaboo, Navajo, and Queens Garden

Peekaboo, Navajo, and Queens Garden Combination Trail Strenuous ~ 3.5 hrs or 5.5 miles round trip. 611 foot elevation change.
Steep Grades with multiple elevation changes.

Bryce Amphitheater
Peekaboo trail travels through here.

Wall Street

Woo they weren't kidding about steep grades. Navajo loop just after wall street was intense to climb. Switch backs like crazy.


Total Day Hike: 5.5

Bryce Canyon was beautiful. Elizabeth often commented how it felt like we were on another planet because the terrain was so different.

Bryce Canyon NP total hike: 14 miles

Onward we drive!