Wednesday, May 22, 2024
This morning, we headed back to Capitol Reef National Park for another hike, this time to Hickman Bridge. While driving along AZ-24 to the trailhead, we pulled over to view a notable formation, The Castle.
The Castle
Although the parking area at the Hickman Bridge trailhead was crowded, we managed to find a convenient place to park. The parking lot and base of the trail offered unobstructive views of Capitol Dome that caps the park’s 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold. Early settlers thought the white sandstone formation resembled the dome of the nation’s capitol building. Propectors who had been sailors, often called any obstacle to travel a “reef,” hence the park’s name.
Capitol Dome
Hickman Bridge Trail & Capitol Dome
The trail rose above the highway and river via rocky stairs and switchbacks then proceeded roughly parallel to the highway up and down a ridge. The hike was one mile long out to a loop that passed under Hickman Bridge then returned. There were 17 trail markers along the way and an informative trail map explained some of the features we were observing at each marker.
On the way, we passed over another much smaller natural rock bridge. Jane and I got separated and took opposite directions around the loop but met at the bridge and hiked back together. Many of the cacti were blooming and many areas along the trail were strewn with rounded igneous boulders that originated from two now-extinct volcanoes at Boulder & Thousand Lakes Mountains over 15 miles west of here.
—— Hickman Bridge Trail ——
After our hike, we drove back into Torrey and dropped into the Chuck Wagon Bakery & Deli. Jane purchased two loaves of bread, one cracked-wheat and the other cheese-jalapeno, that we took back to the RV.
We enjoyed the afternoon relaxing at the campsite soaking up the warm weather and watching the pasture behind our campsite (and took an afternoon nap). Jane did a load of laundry and was pleased with the low prices and effective dryer. The winds were too strong to enjoy sitting outdoors but we did enjoy the fresh air blowing through our motorhome. We ended the day with a light supper and watching television (including a mind-bending cosmic show about dark energy).
Beautiful photos. My first expedition into Utah about six years ago now was at about the same time of year. The cacti were also blooming then. It’s so beautiful out there.
We weren’t considering spring flowers when we planned this trip but it’s a lovely addition to the stunning landscapes out here.
John & Jane,
Looks like you are having a wonderful trip!! I am enjoying your blog and all the pics you are taking. You also went to some places I wanted to visit but ran out of time to see (Hickman Bridge).
Hi Swanna,
Thank-you. There’s so much to see out here that we haven’t had time for some places, too. It’s a good excuse for another trip!