American Southwest 3: Canyon Lands to Capitol Reef NP

American Southwest 3: Canyon Lands to Capitol Reef NP

Canyonlands National Park (North)

Having really enjoyed the southern section of the park, we decided to visit the northern section and it did not disappoint (the sunshine was back). We stayed two days and hiked The Neck trail (9.5km) which was a toughie!

Goblin State Park

On our way we stopped at Mill Canyon to look at the dinosaurs footprints left in an ancient watering hole which then solidified into hard rock over time. There were prints from several species and it was really interesting.

Next we visited the Little Wild Horse slot canyon which you can hike into for several kilometres. However, it got narrower and narrower and wetter and wetter, with boulders that were waist height to scramble over. We turned around after a kilometre, but very much enjoyed the experience. Around the corner from the slot canyon is the small Goblin State Park with its fields of ‘hoodoos’. These are unique rock formations – mushroom shapes created by the lower, softer siltstone and shale layers being eroded by the elements to leave the harder sandstone caps. We explored this other worldly landscape on foot.

Capitol Reef National Park

Another day, another park. But each is unique and Capitol Reef is no different. The weather was kind again and we managed two good hikes: Chimney Rock (6km, 180m elevation gain) and Capitol Gorge (3km). The scenery was just stunning here. The next day we took an adventurous back country road through the park and up the Burr Trail switch backs towards our next destination; Bryce Canyon. Eventually we re-joined the “Million Dollar” road (scenic byway 12) which led to a stunning day’s driving.