Today was all about sightseeing and park visiting as we left our basecamp in Joseph, Utah and headed to Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

 Castle Rock is the most striking feature observed from the visitor center.

 Capitol Reef is layers of rock uplifted and exposed on its west face. For nearly 100 miles its parallel ridges rise from the desert like giant waves rolling upward. The edges of the uplift have eroded into slick rock with massive white dome tops, thus the name Capitol and the barrier of rock signifying reef.

This view is looking east from the 9,000 foot sumit on Route 12 west of the park showing the Henry Mountains in the east (about 40 mi. away), the Capitol Reef (rocks in the middle (10 miles away), and a mountain lake below the road.

 Fremont River is the center of all life in Capitol Reef

 Heirloom apricot grove with tasty apricots for the picking.

 Stratified rock

 Capitol Reef rock formation

 More Capitol Reef rock formations

Holy Rock!

West face multicolered rock.



Colored layers of rock beneath a beautiful blue sky!

 Barber pole?

 Mule deer in one of the heirloom apple orchards.

 Another view of the Castle

 Do you see how the "Capitol" Reef National Park got part of its name?

 Pyramid rock formations in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

Chimney Rock