NV/AZ/UT Roadtrip: Capitol Reef NP, Part 2

As I mentioned in earlier post,the only option to do here was the Scenic Drive. It was a beautiful drive though no matter what the weather. Incredible scenery and almost the park all to ourselves because of the rain. At the end of the drive, there was a shaded structure with picnic tables. We stopped there to have a snack and also to get out of the car, but it was so cold we were both shivering. Our fault because we came unprepared for winter conditions in late May. IMG_20190527_105211 IMG_20190527_105749 IMG_20190527_110047 IMG_20190527_114157 IMG_20190527_123202 IMG_20190527_123347 IMG_20190527_123522 IMG_2810

After consuming our snacks, we looked around to see what else we could do there. I didn't realize there was a gorge there through the unpaved road until a bunch of cars slowly caravan from out of nowhere. That was when I noticed a sign that said there's a gorge that way, but there was a restriction with vehicle clearance. I was worried the rental that we were driving would not clear height issue, but we saw a Corolla came from there so that sealed it, we were going to drive the gorge. IMG_20190527_114907 IMG_20190527_115148 IMG_20190527_120250 IMG_20190527_121524 IMG_20190527_122125 IMG_2784

We slowly drove through gravel path that was rapidly turning into puddles of mud. The gorge is just incredible. Despite the rain, we managed to enjoy this park to the max, this portion specially. The husband was on the lookout for petroglyphs when we saw the park ranger driving the opposite direction. We asked about the petroglyphs and he said there are some but now we needed to drive back out as this road was being closed at that moment. I suppose all this rain was making it difficult for everyone to reach the end of the gorge. So we had no choice but turn around and go back to where we came from.

The Gifford House was on the way back and we saw a sign that there would be pies. So despite the pounding rain, we got down and went in for some coffee and a strawberry-rhubarb pie to go. IMG_20190527_125730

On the way out, we found that the Petroglyphs Panel was along Highway 24 (the same one we needed to take to get to our hotel for the night) and we stopped there. We did not get out because the hubby saw it - I didn't - and kept on pointing at me so I took a shot, but I was probably shooting at the wrong spot. IMG_20190527_130836

Because of the rain, we passed by several waterfalls along the road. IMG_20190527_131711 IMG_20190527_131223

And that's how the visit to Capitol Reef went. Someday, I want a return visit here. There plenty to see and do and I hope the old normal returns so we could go back to traveling.

Comments

  1. WOW! Love the rugged landscape!

    Fabulous captures btw!

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  2. The colour and shapes of the rocks reminds me of central Australia - but maybe not the weather!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  3. Wonderful road trip photos ~ love the waterfalls ~

    Moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  4. I spent some time as a kid a little north of there in Price, Utah. I never visited Canyon Reef but I sure enjoyed all the red rocks, cliffs, the desert and everything else there. That was back in the 60's so it was of interest mainly to uranium miners, oil drillers, and ranchers.

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  5. What a wonderful artist and architect God is! You've captured some powerful images here. Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/02/mmmmm.html

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  6. Hi, I really wish I would be able to go visit these places again. Trouble is, well, corona of course. But also the limited time you always have on this kind of journeys. There is never enough time to really appreciate the features in front of you.
    Take care!

    Strange, glad you like my IG posts. I recogniszed your work but did not think "Photo cache" :) What is your IG id??

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  7. Majestic. The photos are fabulous. I had to chuckle at your 'this is not the place to see those awe inspiring Ansel Adams'.

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