Goosenecks Overlook & Sunset Point

The Trail

This easy jaunt is under a mile long (round trip) with a 61 foot elevation change when both trails are done in succession. Here we started by going up the short Goosenecks Overlook Trail, which leads to a view point for the U-shaped bends of the canyon below. For more adventuresome hikers, this slot canyon can also be accessed and hiked via that Sulphur Creek Route from the Chimney Rock Trail head.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation (doing the Goosenecks Overlook Trail first)

Trail in Google Earth

View of Goosenecks from Goosenecks Overlook

Another View of Goosenecks from Overlook

After coming down from the Goosenecks Overlook, we headed up to Sunset Point. This point is aptly named; it is a beautiful place to be as the sun sets. The sun radiates off the rock faces across the surrounding canyons, causing them to glow brightly. Unfortunately, the clouds blocked the sun while we were there, so we didn't get to see this effect. Even the brief sunset itself was muted in the cloudy sky. It would have been better could we have been there on a less cloudy night. Despite this, we still found the view from Sunset Point enjoyable.

View from Sunset Point during cloudy evening

Another section of the deep gorge cradling Sulphur Creek is also visible from the south side of Sunset Point.

Sulphur Creek from Sunset Point

Directions

This trail is located in Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah. The trail is off of UT-24. To get there from I-15, take Exit 188 to get onto US-50. Get off US-50 at UT-260. From there get onto UT-24 and continue to Capitol Reef. The turn off for these trails will be before the Visitor's Center. Take the Panorama Point/Sunset Point turn off to the right. Stay left where the road splits and continue up the dirt road to the parking area and trail head.

Grand Wash Trail

The Trail

This is a very easy 2.3 mile (one way) trail with a 235 foot elevation change. There isn't really an actual trail; hikers just walk along the dry wash as it weaves through bottom of the canyon.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation (starting from UT-24)

Trail in Google Earth

There are trail heads at both ends of the canyon, so hiking groups with multiple vehicles have the option of hiking from one end to the other.

The narrows are in the middle section of the trail and are only about a half a mile in length. Although they are dry, there is still the possibility of flash floods in this area, so be sure to verify the danger level before you hike.

There are plenty of beautiful rock formations and cliffs to view outside the narrows area as well. Bear canyon is a little side canyon that can be viewed branching off from the main wash.

Heading into the Narrows Section

In the Narrows Section

Looking up Bear Canyon

Looking up the sheer walls of the narrows section

Directions

This trail is located in Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah. There are parking areas at both ends of the wash. One end of the trail heads is right off UT-24. To get there from I-15, take Exit 188 to get onto US-50. Get off US-50 at UT-260. From there get onto UT-24 and continue to Capitol Reef and the turn out for the trail head, will be on the right.

To start at the other side of the wash, continue along UT-24 to Capitol Reef. Turn off at the Visitor's Center and continue along the "Scenic Drive" until reaching the turnoff for Grand Wash on the left. Go up this dirt road until reaching the parking area and trail head at the end.

Lower Calf Creek Falls

The Trail

This popular trail is a moderate 3 miles (one way). There is only a 170 foot elevation change, but the trail goes up and down a fair amount within that. The trail also has a lot of sections of deep sand, which can be tiring to hike through. The more weight you are carrying, the more strenuous these sections are to hike through.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail actually starts down a road for a campground but quickly heads off from there as a dirt and sand path. There isn't a great deal of shade on the trail, but the amount can vary depending on the time you go.

There is plenty to see of interest along the trail, from the beautifully formed rocks and canyon walls streaked with desert varnish, to the bright wildflowers and plant life. There are beaver dams, some Indian petroglyphs (view point for those marked by green dot on the topographical map), ancient granaries built into the canyon walls, and a variety of birds (making the area popular for bird watching). Hikers can pick up a trail guide available at the beginning of the trail that will point out some of these things along the way.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Petroglyphs on canyon wall across from the trail

Desert Varnish streaked on
canyon walls

The trail flattens out some right before hikers reach the waterfall. Before arriving at its base, the top of the waterfall is visible above the trees.

First view of waterfall from trail

The waterfall itself cascades down a 126 foot drop, and its path is highlighted by bright green algae growing on the rocks. The cold calm water filling the pool below the falls creates a popular swimming spot. There is a small sandy beach area around the pool surrounded by a number of trees that provide shade on the sidelines.

Lower Calf Creek Falls

Note: When we did this trail, we found the parking lot for it was not made well and can be very messy when it is hot. When it heats up, there are patches of sticky tar all over that gets stuck on the bottom of your shoes.

Alcove near falls

Directions

This trail is located in Garfield County in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The trail is right off UT-12. To get there from I-15, take Exit 188 to get onto US-50. Get off US-50 at UT-260. From there get onto UT-24 and continue to UT-12. Turn right onto UT-12 and continue 48 miles to the "Calf Creek recreation Area." Turn right to drive down into the parking lot. There is a small fee to park here and use the area ($2.00 as of 2012 for day use).

Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs Trail

The Trail

This difficult trail is 4.9 miles long (one way) with a 1613 foot elevation change. However, keep in mind that there is some up and down in the trail (see the elevation profile below). This trail shares a trail head with the Hickman Bridge Trail. The trail splits about .3 mile up from the trail head (marked with a blue flag on the topographical map below). To just do the Navajo Knobs trail, stay to the right. For those who want to hike the Hickman Bridge Trail as a side trip too, your round trip hike will be about 11 miles long.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail is very exposed with no shade, making it a hot, dry trip, especially during the summer. Make sure you bring ample water with you and cover up and/or wear plenty of sunscreen. However, hikers are rewarded for their efforts with some spectacular views. There are also a lot of cool rock formations along the trail that add additional interest along the way.

Pectols Pyramid

It is important to stay on the trail and off the dirt so as not to disturb the cryptobiotic crust. The trail is easy to follow. Where dirt paths disappear on the rocks, rock cairns are easy to spot marking the way.

This rock cairn is made with a log of petrified
wood at its base

There are actually three specific viewpoints found along the trail. The first is a view of the Hickman Bridge. Hikers will get a much better view of this natural bridge from the Hickman Bridge Trail since it is partially obscured from this view point.

Hickman Bridge from viewpoint

The second viewpoint is the Rim Overlook (marked by the green flag on the topographical map). From here hikers get a great view of Fruita below and the canyons surrounding the historic settlement. 

View from Rim Overlook

Another view from Rim Overlook

The fruit trees growing in Fruita

From Rim Overlook

From the Rim Overlook, the trail heads northward for a ways immediately to the east of The Castle. Then toward the latter end, the trail heads more westward as it winds up and down a couple jutting rims before ascending to its finish next to the Navajo Knobs.

The Castle

The Castle

The last portions of the trail involve hiking up and down some slickrock fields along the canyon rims.

Climbing up the slickrock

Looking back at one of the rims the trail follows up and then back down

Right before reaching the top hikers see this little arch

The views from the end of the trail are fantastic! Hikers can see canyons, mountains, rocks, and valleys for miles around. The pictures just can't do it justice.

View from the top looking southeast

View from the top looking northwest

Looking back at Navajo Knobs (circled) from across the way

Directions

This trail is located in Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah. The trail is right off UT-24. To get there from I-15, take Exit 188 to get onto US-50. Get off US-50 at UT-260. From there get onto UT-24 and continue to Capitol Reef and the trail head, which will be on the left.