Capitol Reef National Park
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Hickman Natural Bridge Capitol Reef National Park |
April 22, 2014
Hickman Bridge is so close to the road that it is a mystery as to why
I haven't ventured up there long ago. This is the day, however,
and I am starting it at about 8 a.m. with a visit to the big
roadside petroglyphs just around the corner from the trailhead:
Did real spacemen inspire these etchings? ⇔
The walk begins in an unusual fashion — with a warning that it could be hazardous to my health. A huge rockfall in 2012 closed this trail for more than a year.
A few falling boulders will not deter me today
After a safe passage underneath the cliff, it is time to climb.
Globe Mallos
Scorpionweed Phacelia
I see that other trail options are available; I must put them on my
to-do list.
That's Capitol Dome, the park's namesake formation
Easy walking
While approaching the big rocks I look for a sign of my destination, yet cannot see one yet.
It must be up there somewhere
Oh, boy — a loop trail
There it is
Hickman Bridge has a gorgeous setting
There are so many angles from which to photograph this thing that it is hard to decide which is best.
From the 'back' side
This is why I go hiking
Shooting landscapes without sunlight is so difficult
Nice trail
Highway-24
The orange ones are more Globe Mallow
Back at the rockfall section, I run the gauntlet again, returning to the trailhead
by 9:30. The next hike on today's menu will not be so straightforward.
As I drive away, there is time to wave at the just-arriving couple who gave me
the extra water yesterday over in Grand Wash.
End of beautiful hike, start of a beautiful day
§: What a beautiful place this is, and so easy to access.
Doubtless dozens of folk will pass this way before the day is out.
Subsequent reading shows that my trail research was inadequate, in that I missed an easy opportunity to visit an old granary and another natural bridge. This means that I must redo the walk at a later date, and I will.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
