Capitol Reef National Park
A giant wrinkle in the earth’s crust which stretches for 100 miles across South Central Utah is called the Waterpocket Fold. Capitol Reef National Park preserves the fold with its spectacular eroded jumble of colorful cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, stark monoliths, twisting canyons and graceful arches. We have seen, from the National Parks so far in Utah, the effects of the tremendous forces created by the uplift of the Colorado Plateau. The effects of the forces, from the ice age, uplift, volcanoes, water, and earthquake, make the formations very different from each other. No matter, in which direction you look or what formation you see, they all have a special impression on you as you take in their beauty. This park shows an excellent example of the force of water. As we hiked the Grand Wash Trail it was obvious where the water had cut out the canyon walls. Sue especially liked picnicking in the meadow in an area of the park called Fruita. Mule deer come here to graze and it’s fun watching them while you’re having a picnic. This early settlement was especially attractive to the pioneers who settled here as irrigation was made possible by the flowing of the Fremont River. Indians, who were the first settlers enjoyed this area for the same reason. The Mormon pioneers grew fruit trees such as apricot, pear, apple, cherry and nut trees and to this day some of the original trees are still flourishing This is the only National Park in the country with orchards present on its parcels of land. The Capitol Reef got its name from a massive dome shaped formation which is similar to the Capitol Dome in Washington, DC.
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