2016-04-02

15:45: Capitol Reef (UT). 8.5 mi, two trails; gain: 750 ft; max el: 6,125 ft.

First trail: Golden Throne – 4 mi RT; 750 ft gain. Climbed up to the canyon rim and then the rest of the trail was along the canyon rim . So many spectacular views.

Second trail: Capitol Gorge. Trail was an old river bed through the canyons. The park map said it was only 1 mile, but I followed for 2.25 miles before turning around. Saw a petroglyph, maybe 3. Also, a lot of graffiti carved into the canyon walls. Some of it was recent and some was dated from the 1800s. Because it was mixed in with the newer, there’s no way to tell what was real and what could be a prank.

Checked the park literature and according to it, the graffiti historical inscriptions were created by pioneers. Good to know that there have always been obnoxious mouth-breathers.

20:30: Edit One of the benefits of maintaining a digital copy of this is that I can add / edit to the written version. Capitol Reef wasn’t on my radar…I didn’t even know it existed. The host’s boyfriend recommended it, said he had made numerous trips to photograph the area. I’m glad he did, it was awesome (in the true sense of that word). It was such a great experience that on the way back, I had the feeling that I could do this forever.