Grand Wash

A few days earlier, when we were at Cassidy Arch, Allison asked if we could fit the Grand Wash hike into our plans.  We mulled it over for a while and decided we could probably do this short hike before we headed home Sunday morning.  Then Kent had a "brilliant" idea (scary thought!):  If he dropped Allison at the main trailhead and drove around to meet her at the Highway 24 side, she could enjoy a through-hike without retracing her steps.  Turned out that it worked like a charm!

As we noted in our Cassidy Arch post, both trails use the same trailhead for their starting points

Amazing what the effects freeze-thaw cycles can have on what once was a small crack . . .
When water freezes, it expands by roughly 9%, acting like a wedge that pries the rock apart and widens the crack.

An interesting stained wall . . . this is often called desert varnish
The varnish is a thin "patina" composed mainly of manganese and iron oxide (rust) mixed with clay particles . . .
It was a favorite of the "Ancient Ones" to carve their petroglyphs into

The spots on this slab of sandstone caught Allison's attention . . .
After she took the picture she discovered it looked just like a rabbit!

About mid-way through the wash the walls began to narrow

At it's narrowest point the walls are about fifteen feet apart . . .
Up until 1962, when Highway 24 was paved, people used to drive their cars through this wash!

The narrow portion only lasts for about a quarter of a mile

While the Wash never becomes a "slot canyon" it comes fairly close

Do you suppose Butch Cassidy might have used this as a hideout?

Hey, who's this?
Kent decided to walk up the Wash from Highway 24 and see how far he could go before meeting Allison

There were a few little caves to explore along the way

It was interesting to see all the "Swiss cheese" holes on this cliff filled with rocks . . .
At first glance it looked as if they may have been placed there by flash floods . . .
But on closer examination, it was obvious people had tossed stones from the wash bed into them!

Heading back . . . the Highway is just around the corner

One last stop for a fun family photo-op

Grand Wash passes under Highway 24 and empties into the Fremont River . . . where the trail ends

 

Allison loved this quick, easy walk - it was the perfect way to stretch her legs before the three-hour drive home.  The trail offered flexibility:  It can be hiked as a 2.2-mile one-way trek with a car shuttle, or as a 4.4-mile out-and-back route.  If you're short on time or just passing through Capitol Reef, it's worth stopping at the Highway 24 trailhead for a short hike before continuing on your journey!

Navajo Knobs

The Navajo Knobs trail was the main reason we decided to visit Capitol Reef National Park . . . and it certainly didn't disappoint!  The trail ascends a series of slickrock benches to the Rim Overlook where we peered down on the Fruita Orchards.  From here we continued to the sandstone domes known as the Navajo Knobs and the end-of-the-trail.  At the summit we were treated to 360-degree views of the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains - another of our memorable hikes from years past!

The trail to the Navajo Knobs begins at the Hickman Bridge trailhead

After following the Fremont River for a short distance, the trail switchbacks up to a 
white sandstone layer, where Hickman Bridge is located

Shortly, after reaching the top of the switchbacks, we came to the Navajo Knobs trail

The Hickman Bridge Overlook is a short walk of about half a mile past the junction . . .
It was nice that we were able to see the Bridge without having to add an extra 1.5 miles (r/t) to our hike!

After viewing Hickman Bridge we walked sandstone ramps as we made our way towards the Rim Overlook

While it is never particularly steep, it does maintain a consistent uphill pitch for the entirety of the hike

After 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and two-miles of hiking, we reached the Rim Overlook

It was fun to look down on the Fruita Orchards as we took a much needed break

Then it was back to more sandstone ramps

Finally, we were able to see our destination . . . as you can see, we've still got a long way to go!
This picture also illustrates the incline of the trail we mentioned earlier

Looking down on the rock formation known as "The Castle"

A typical section of the trail . . .
It was kind of like being in "no man's land" . . . always walking a sandstone shelf positioned between cliffs

Working around a drainage to get to the next layer of sandstone

We're getting closer!

Finally, the Knobs come into view . . . I believe we're going to make it!

We're suppose to be able to stand on the very top . . . 
The trail wraps around the bottom of the formation towards the trees on the right . . .
Maybe we can get up over there??

Ah, yes, this looks like a route to the top

Views become expansive as we neared the summit

While not technically the top, Kent was content on waiting for Allison to scramble to the true summit

Allison made it!
Looking back along the Waterpocket Fold (that was our path) and in the valley below is the Visitor Center

Allison finally convinced Kent that it wasn't too bad on top, so he joined her
(The top could probably hold five people at once)

After a half hour rest, it was time to begin the long trek back

At least it was all downhill!
It was interesting to see the rock formations from a different angle . . . this one is known as "The Stegosaur"

A beautiful shot of the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains . . .
This picture shows the impressive fold in the earth's crust that goes on for a hundred miles!

Hey, there's Fern's Nipple (right of center) that we saw from Cassidy Arch

Almost back to the intersection with the Hickman Bridge trail

On our way back to Torrey we stopped to take this picture, the arrow points to the Knobs
. . . it really puts things into perspective!
(You can also see "The Castle" right of center)

Here's a Google Earth shot of our route and the highlights we experienced along the way
(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

Wow, what a great hike!  Needless to say, but we were tired after this one!  Most trail guides say that this is a 9.5 mile (r/t) hike with around 1,600 ft of elevation gain.  While we found the mileage to be correct, the ascent was closer to 2,100 ft and total elevation to be around 2,500 ft.  What's truly amazing is that we gained all this elevation over 4.5 miles without ever using a single switchback!  For a detailed route description and topo maps, click here for a post by Andrew Wojtanik that he did when he visited Capitol Reef National Park.

Cassidy Arch

Every time we pass through or around Capitol Reef National Park, we tell ourselves that we really should return for some hiking.  However, it always seemed too hot or too busy, so it never became a priority.  With some nice February weather in the forecast and wanting to visit before the March spring break crowds, Kent planned a couple of interesting hikes and we headed for Fruita, Utah.  Our first stop was Cassidy Arch, which was supposedly named after the outlaw (Butch Cassidy) who hid in the area - though it seems almost everything in southern Utah is tied to that local lore in one way or another!

We took the Scenic Drive Road, which starts near the Visitor Center, to the Grand Wash turnoff  . . .
Allison loved the lined shaped clouds made from passing jets contrails

The road down Grand Wash is not paved and crosses the Wash
  several times as it makes its way to the trailhead . . .
The trailhead is used to access both the Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch trails

Cassidy Arch
We knew it was visible from the canyon floor, but it was still hard to see as it blended in with the other rocks
(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

To get to the Cassidy Arch Trail, we had to walk a short distance down Grand Wash (.3/mile)

The trail immediately starts climbing as it works its way to the top of the cliffs that form Grand Wash . . .
What in the world is that "creature" doing sitting on the top of the rock Kent is walking under?

Once on top of the rim, we could look back down at the parking area
(You can vaguely see the trail, on the left hand side of the picture, as it emerges from the boulder formations in the center of the photo)

From here we continued along the rim, working our way around several drainages

We continued to work our way higher, and as we did the views became more expansive . . .
By the way, that pointy peak right of center, is known as Fern's Nipple . . .
Reportedly named after one of Butch Cassidy's girlfriends!

This was our first view of Cassidy Arch from the top . . .
From this angle it looks more like an alcove rather than an arch!

The last quarter mile was walking across slickrock . . .
It was good that there were a few cairns to follow . . .
Not that we thought we'd get lost, but it would have been possible to walk right past the arch

When we first found the Arch, it looked like a massive sinkhole!
Upon a little closer examination you could see the Arch's opening just under this bridge

Here's a close up of the bridge that forms the Arch . . .
As you can see it's thicker and wider than you would expect

Of course that could mean only one thing . . . Kent had to walk on top of the Arch
(Kent is extremely afraid of heights, so if he felt comfortable enough to walk across it, you can be assured that the bridge is very wide!)

This is a picture of the slickrock we had to cross to get to the Arch . . .
Again, no trail, just a few cairns . . . but a very enjoyable walk over some beautiful sandstone

The Waterpocket Fold!  (No, the picture isn't tilted)
This is what it actually looks like and clearly shows how the earth's crust has been thrust up . . .
(I've got to say Fern's Nipple looks like an interesting hike . . . supposedly you can do it without a rope!)

One last look at the Arch before we make our way down off the cliffs

Almost down to the canyon floor of the Grand Wash

Back on the Scenic Drive and heading for the Fruita orchards . . .
The arrow is pointing to the Navajo Knobs . . . our hike for tomorrow!

What a great warm up hike for our Navajo Knobs outing!  If this is any indication of the views we'll see tomorrow, then we are in for a real treat.  Altogether, this hike was just short of four miles (r/t) and about 1,000 ft of ascent.  If you'd like a longer hike, Stav Basis has posted a loop hike that incorporates the Frying Pan Trail and the Grand Wash Trail . . . to do a loop of this nature you're looking at about 9.5 miles and that includes a 2.5 mile highway walk back to your car at Hickman Bridge.