Continuing on with day 2 we finally entered our first park,  Capital Reef. Our trip is now really beginning. A little further on and the Burr Trail ascended a number of switchbacks as it passed through the cliffs of Waterpocket Fold.

We found a side trail shortly after the Burr Trail topped out. It said “4 Wheel Drive” so we had to check it out. The road enters than follows Upper Muley Twist Canyon.

After the trail about 1/4 mile the trail drops onto the canyon wash and then follows it up steam through some narrow sections. After about a mile it opens up into a wider valley filled with pinion and juniper. This is a classic southern Utah trail.

We found a location out of the wind and enjoyed our lunch in the warm sun while listening to the sound of the wind in the trees. The silence of the desert southwest is a wonderful thing. The wind sings through the trees as it blows down the desert canyons.

Once Lunch was finished we continued up the trail to the parking area for Strike Valley Overlook. Strike Valley Overlook offers a dramatic view of the monocline that forms the ridges of Waterpocket Fold. The ridges of stone marching off in each direction are what remain of this dramatic fold in the earth. The hike to the overlook takes no more than an hour total and is well worth the view. On this day we needed to remove our hats before approaching the rim or they would have been taken by the wind to the valley bellow.

Once back on the Burr Trail we continued on and entered Grand Staircase Escalante.  A short way past the park entrance sign is the left turn onto Wolverine Loop. This loop offers panoramic views of the mesas and valleys. Rather than doing the entire loop we took a track that heads west through the hills and rejoins the loop near the Petrified Forest.

The Wolverine Petrified Forest was one of our planned stops. The opportunity to see trees from millions of years ago is an opportunity that we could not miss.

The hike to some of the large trees took us about 30 minutes. It is so cool seeing such large ancient trees. These trees are from when the dinosaurs first walked the earth, about 240 million years ago. I am always awed being in the presence with such ancient things.

We left the parking area now in search of a good place to pitch our tent. Once back on the Burr Trail I found a great camp site just east of the Circle Cliffs. We set up camp at about 6:00 p.m. using the pitch kit for the Tent and it worked great. The pitch kit will be great to have if we encounter bad weather.

Day 2 Google Earth File

Continue to Day 3