Pictures: 1. Tantalus creek crossing, spring water coming from rock; 2. lunch on the rim; 3. Tantalus Canyon; 4. red cliffs
We are exploring a new place! We haven't been to Capitol Reef NP before and are enjoying learning about this area. I don't remember where it got the name Capitol Reef because the main feature is a Waterpocket Fold. For those of you, like me, who are not geologists that is a giant buckle in the Earth's crust that stretches across south-central Utah. It is a classic monocline! I love this geology stuff. Anyway, it is a big jumble of colorful cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, stark monoliths, twisting canyons, and graceful arches (taken straight from the Park brochure).
We are staying in a no-frills park about 5 miles west of the NP. But we like it here; the owners are friendly, its quiet, small, and cheap (Gary's main concern). Sounds like a winner to me. Before starting out on our adventure of the day, we stopped at the local visitor center in Torrey (the population might be 50). An older lady was manning the center (and this is just for you Dana) and we got into a conversation with her. What do you know--she was from Greenbrier and Scottsboro. Her father was a civil engineer and worked on the Tennessee river dams. She met her husband at Redstone Arsenal. They moved to Utah in 1974 to work on the shuttle. So many people have interesting 'back stories'.
Back to the main story line...We drove Tantalus Creek trail from Boulder Mtn into the NP. It was a 10 for scenery (Gary rates it an 8). We crossed the Tantalus Creek and the Pleasant Creek as well as rocky mountain ledges, but I'm getting better; didn't close my eyes a single time.
These blogs are so funny! And I think you guys are way too close to the edge in the second picture. Sheesh. I would have gotten a spanking for doing that.
ReplyDeleteYou should start rating all your trails like that; it would be interesting.
Your blogs are very funny, interesting and informative.
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