emalloy

SZ, Thanks for returning with the TR, sounds like a great trip. Utah is addicting, do try the Moab area again, we love Canyonlands too.

InSandy

Is that why people aren't as impressed with Capitol Reef. They see if after the other parks and it doesn't compare. That does make some sense. The problem with Capitol Reef is that it looks deceptively simple. But there are hidden treasures there for sure.

Thanks for the trip report. Nice to hear how it turned out.

peterboy

It does make sense InSandy. That's OK with me though. Perhaps Cap. Reef can escape the "Disneyland" crowd and remain the quiet refuge that it is.

I love hiking there since you can get a real sense of solitude...something very rare these days.

Dayle

Thanks for the trip report SZ. I'm glad you had a good time!
Did you get to hike in Capitol Reef? I think CP is really for hikers, that's what makes it special. Similar to your experience with Bryce.

Do come back for a week long visit to Moab. You can do something different every day and still not do it all!

SZ

Dayle, we did hike in Capitol Reef, and it was nice, but it didn't really blow us away. As others have said, it's much less crowded than any of the other parks we visited, and there's something to be said for that. Again -- we were jaded! We will return someday to UT to see all the stuff we missed.

spirobulldog

We hiked about 12-15 miles in Cap Reef. I am more of a destination hiker than a look as you go hiker. I like big payoffs at the end. A huge waterfall or a huge arch, etc. I've been there twice now. It is easily my least favorite in Utah. That said, I would gladly go again to it. I did enjoy it.
Heres where we hiked;
Hickman Bridge, Frying Pan, Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch, Cohab Canyon, Panorama Point. Did see the Orchards and Gifford House/pies too. Saw the petroglyphs.
I really like San Rafael better than Cap Reef.
I will say the Reef itself is stunning and really richly colored. Great as sunrise/sunset.

SZ, Did you stop at Goblin Valley? It might be my single favorite spot in UT.

spirobulldog

I would like to go backpacking in Cap Reef. I like that type of isolation. Although, I think you could get that at most of the parks in UT. Only places that are really crowded is main strip in Zion and right around the lodge at Bryce. We've been twice at Memorial Day and didn't find it crowded at all really.

SZ

Nope, we didn't go to Goblin Valley. Woulda, coulda, shoulda!