W. Lloyd Williams

New website, please bookmark: http://LloydWilliams.co

a space for all the aspects of my life...

Capitol Gorge Trail, Capitol Reef

August 3, 2009 One of the easier hikes in a long time, Capitol Gorge Trail follows a narrow wash between sheer canyon walls for 2 1/2 miles.

L1010904

A petroglyph with antlers tucked in a natural alcove:

L1010909

At times travellers use parched washes as roadways. Capitol Gorge was a popular highway more than a hundred years ago. Passersby have inscribed their signatures for centuries, but the most prominent Pioneer Register inscriptions date back to the late 1880s and early 1900s.

L1010882

A 1/4 mile steep climb at the trail turnaround leads to waterpockets or "tanks", natural catch basins that wind and water have formed in sandstone. Although the wash was bone dry, three of four tanks held water. They are separated by smooth rock and little powdery beaches. One waterpocket, albeit a puddle by that point, housed a healthy population of fat tadpoles and grey-green frogs no bigger than my thumbnail.

And if you look just beyond the tank below you can see a small natural bridge.

L1010894

We were almost back at the Jeep when we came across two desert bighorn mountain sheep snapping the red heads off indian paintbrush plants.

L1010915

From here, we stopped at the Gifford Farmhouse, which exhibits antique farming necessities from the 1920s and sells baked goods like personal-sized fruit pies. Then we plopped down by the river for a picnic. Later: sangria and a campfire.

Craving sangria? My recipe:

Red Sangria

1  750ml bottle red wine 4oz  (120ml) brandy 4oz  (120ml) triple sec 4oz  (120ml) simple syrup (1/2 water, 1/2 dissolved sugar) 4oz  (120ml) orange juice 4oz  (120ml) cranberry juice 1 tbsp lime juice

Stir well and garnish (if you must) with orange or lemon or lime wheels and/or chunks of apple.

Cheers!

-P