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.

The Pass

For the past two years, Kent has looked at the red cliffs visible from our living room window, and wondered how he could get through "The Pass" that breaks them up.  Much like our Arrowhead Peak hike, we have tried various routes from the bottom up without success.  Ultimately, we decided to to employ the same strategy we used on Arrowhead Peak last year.  This meant enlisting the help of our friend, John, to car shuttle us to the Danish Ranch Road, so we could take a top-down approach.  Our route started at Cottonwood Canyon, crossed the saddle (aka "The Pass), and finally made our way home via the Washington Hollow drainage.  It was a excellent plan and a great hike!

Mike is joining us today for his birthday hike . . .
A "shoutout" to John for making this hike possible with his shuttle to Cottonwood Canyon!

Heading down Cottonwood Canyon . . . 
In general, it was a very pleasant walk with only occasional short stretches where we had to boulder hop

There were many interesting rocks along the way . . . this conglomerate boulder caught our eye

The canyon was gorgeous from the very start . . .
The deeper we traveled the more vibrant and colorful the sandstone became

This rock reminded us of the "Thirstystone" brand of coasters

A bolt was holding what remained of a barbed wire fence . . . it was more than likely used to
keep livestock from going up/down the canyon

After about a mile, the canyon walls became less vertical and were replaced with beautiful
sandstone formations

We particularly enjoyed this section of the canyon as there were new formations around each corner

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better . . . it would!

Two and a half miles down the canyon, the walls began to recede . . .
It was here that we chose to leave the wash and make our way southwest towards "The Pass" . . .
It was apropos that we departed the wash with a cottonwood tree still holding on to it's Fall leaves 

An Anderson Buttercup . . . they are early spring bloomers

Once out of the wash, we were able to look back and admire views of the Yant Flat area

It's fun to find scratch circles in the sand . . . they are formed when the wind whips the grasses back and forth

There weren't many cacti in the area . . . but this cholla sure stood out!

As we neared "The Pass", the colorful rock formations began to reappear

How's this for colorful striations?

This side canyon was "calling" Mike to come explore . . . we continued on our way to "The Pass"

Wow!
Here's the view Mike was treated to when he reached the top of the draw . . .
Soon we'll be at the bottom looking back up!

Everywhere we looked we were treated to exquisite sandstone swirls

We have arrived at "The Pass!"
Behind us lies the Cottonwood Canyon drainage . . . Before us is Washington Hollow
(About halfway up the century plant stalk you can vaguely make out Green Springs, where we live . . .
Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

After a snack break, we began our way down "The Pass" . . .
Note the rock formation in the middle of the picture . . . later Mike will climb it and take a picture of us

What's this?  Horse tracks up here?

No way!
Who would make their horses climb up this steep section of sandstone?
Crazy backcountry riders, we guess!

Even the Manzanita are starting to bloom

Can you see Mike taking the last of the sandstone ramp to the bottom of "The Pass?"
Hopefully, this picture gives you a sense of the enormity of these cliffs

Remember the picture from the top of "The Pass" where we said Mike climbed one of the rock formations?
Here's the picture he took, of us, from it's summit . . . Can you find us?
(Click on the picture to get a larger view)

Looking back towards where Mike took his overlook shot from the side canyon he explored

We believe this is called Liesegang banding . . . usually created by iron oxides in the sandstone

Exploring some of the area below "The Pass" . . .
If we would have had more time (or in our case, more energy) we could have easily walked up this
"dinosaur skinned" rock for great views of the basin

A Western Wallflower

Time to leave behind this interesting valley of sandstone and make our way across this
sandflat, where we hope to find a route down to Washington Hollow Wash

What's so interesting about this pile of rocks?
 Mike is standing where we've chosen to begin our descent . . . as you can see it going to be steep!

Here we go!
This picture doesn't do justice to just how steep and loose this route really was!
(In the background, you can see the ridge we walked when we did Arrowhead Peak last year)

Another iron oxide formation

Have you seen enough sandstone striation pictures?  How about one more!

Almost done!
We still need to slog a mile and a half through the boulder strewn Washington Hollow Wash . . . 
And then follow Washington City well roads, for another mile and a half, back to our home

Looking back at "The Pass" from the trailhead near our home

It's hard to believe this hike was practically in our backyard.  One of the great advantages of living next to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is the ability to explore canyons and sandstone formations that few people ever see, all within a short distance from St. George.

If you are interested in trying this trek, please be prepared for a long day.  We covered 9.5 miles with an elevation loss of nearly 1,500 feet over six hours of hiking.  Should you want our GPS tracks, please contact us and we would be happy to send them to you.  For more information on Cottonwood Canyon, you can click here for a Red Cliffs Desert Reserve post.