CAPITOL REEF

NATIONAL MONUMENT W Utah, the higher elevations, while foxes, bobcats, feet. The trail to the bridge is provided with CAPITOL REEF porcupines, and other smaller rodents make self-guiding facilities which describe many up the bulk of the mammal population. natural features. Lizards are numerous, but snakes are rarely encountered. Hawks, owls, ravens, and Just south and east of the Fremont River National Monument other birds of woodland and desert are Bridge, a foot trail leads up the slope into a common. hanging gorge named Cohab Canyon because it was used as a hideout by early polygamists. A region of intricately eroded, brightly colored, and tilted sedimentary rocks; Half a mile down Cohab Canyon, a rock awesome cliffs and canyons; and rock masses carved by the elements into weird Places of Special Interest monument marks a trail to the rim overlook­ and fanciful figures. You can see highly colored, grotesquely ing the river, where there are exceptional eroded cliffs along the entire length of the views of the upper reef which cannot be seen THIS STRIKING WILDERNESS area is in the reef, with cottonwoods predominant along road running through the monument. Col­ from below. Also spread before you will be heart of Wayne Wonderland, a vast scenic streams. ors appear strongest in early morning or late the canyon of Fremont River with its or­ region in south-central Utah. A large part afternoon. chards, and to the south the upper canyon of this region, some of which has never been Prehistory and History which the river has cut through Miners explored, is encompassed by the monument. If you travel from the west using State Mountain. The National Monument was established by Prehistoric Indians known as the Fremont Capitol Reef: Route 24, you enter the monument some State Route 24 enters Capitol Gorge about Presidential proclamation on August 2, 1937, Basketmakers found this area attractive and A geological story 6 miles before reaching the headquarters 8 miles from the Fremont River Bridge. The and covers more than 61 square miles. raised corn on flat plots of ground near written in area. Soon after passing the entrance marker, colorful stone. you will come to a viewpoint near Twin road down Capitol Gorge winds for 3l/2 Because it resembles domed capitol build­ streams. Smooth cliff walls are covered with many petroglyphs of unusual size and style. Rocks. Three miles from the entrance, you miles through a deep canyon so narrow that ings, the great, 20-mile-long, buttressed sand­ turn left onto a dirt road which leads to cars can pass only in certain places. Do not stone cliff with its cap of white Navajo The Indians colored these ancient engrav­ ings in various tints—some of their pigments Chimney Rock. A short walk across the enter this canyon during rainstorms, and use sandstone, was named Capitol Reef. Early main road down the arroyo, brings you to the particular caution during the August cloud­ geologists called such cliffs in this area reefs still adhere to the rocks. The Basketmakers lived in open caves, but built small stone land that the area has never supported more Motorman, a naturally sculptured figure. burst season. Halfway through the gorge, because of their visual resemblance to sea The road through the monument lies prin­ Basketmaker petroglyphs about 1,200 years structures for corn storage. Artifacts and than 8 or 10 families. Impassable roads dis­ cipally upon Moenkopi shale. This dark-red About 1 mile beyond Chimney Rock, you reefs composed of rock or limestone skeletons turn right onto a dirt road. At its terminus, old may be seen on the north wall. At the of coral. relics from some of these structures are on couraged visitors, and the area remained or brown, ripple-marked rock shows unusual display at monument headquarters. practically unknown to the outside world un­ a short walk leads to the rim of spectacular gorge's narrowest point, pioneers carved their The monument includes a section of the erosional forms along the cliff base, and con­ til the 1930's. Sulphur Creek Gorge. names, dating back to 1871. Waterpocket Fold, a great doubling up of Because of its peculiar geographical isola­ tains fossil footprints of reptiles and am­ tion, the Fremont River drainage was the phibians in many places. Stranded on the Three miles east and north of the lodge Before reaching the petroglyphs, a trail the earth's crust, which was caused by an Geological Significance unusual geological movement. The western last section of Utah to be explored and Moenkopi beds are large volcanic boulders is Hickman Natural Bridge, an outstanding leads to the top of the reef below the Golden which were washed down ffom the high attraction. It is reached by trail only, and Throne. An extension of this trail leads edge of this fold (of which Capitol Reef settled. In January 1854, Col. John C. Fre­ Like other parts of the Colorado River plateaus by melting glacial ice 10,000 years the round trip requires about 3 hours. The back into Grand Wash. This hike should is a part) is exposed as a great cliff or es­ mont and his expedition looked down from Basin, the Capitol Reef region was once a ago. Above the Moenkopi shale is a thick bridge is 72 feet high and has a span of 133 be taken only with a guide. carpment of brilliantly colored rock layers. Thousand Lake Mountain into the present low-lying country, consisting of swamps, It extends from Thousand Lake Mountain monument, but little is known of this jour­ exposure of Chinle shale in various colors, shallow lagoons and wide, sluggish streams, with the gray-green band at its base a prom­ southeastward about 150 miles to the Colo­ ney. In 1866 a semimilitary expedition of inhabited by giant reptiles and amphibians. Fossil footprints of reptiles and amphibians in the Moenkopi formation. rado River. The fold or reef, fantastically inent feature. The lower portion of this Mormons, under the leadership of Capt. For millions of years, streams carried silt, eroded by rain and wind, is a barrier to the formation contains petrified wood. Above James Andrus, came in from the south over sand, and mud into the swampy lowland. As traveler. It can be crossed in only 3 places the Chinle, 600 feet of red Wingate sand­ Boulder Mountain. Prof. A. H. Thompson, these sediments were buried, they gradually on horseback. One of these passages also stone forms the sheer, high pinnacle cliffs geographer of the Powell survey, made the hardened to become sandstone and shale. allows automobiles to cross. that dominate the landscape. first geographic and geologic reconnaissance From the Moenkopi shale to the Navajo The Fremont River and its tributaries, Sul­ of the area in 1875, applying many names sandstone, the rocks of Capitol Reef record Finally, as a cap rock, the gray or white phur Creek and Pleasant Creek, are the still in use. a period of earth history when dinosaurs first Navajo sandstone rests on top. Eroded into only perennial streams. Many of the water- The first permanent settler was Neils John­ dominated the world. cones, arches, and rounded domes, it bears a pockets (large potholes in rocky gorges) re­ son who located a homestead near the junction striking resemblance to the domes of many When the Rocky Mountains began to form capitol buildings. tain runoff water for long periods. The veg­ of Fremont River and Sulphur Creek in about 60 million years ago, the rocks of this etation is sparse and desertlike. Pinyons and 1880. The pioneers found so many difficul­ area were buckled and folded. Streams, rain, Plant and Animal Life junipers grow along the talus slopes of the ties to overcome in cultivating the tillable and wind removed the softer upper forma­ tions and cut deep channels and gorges into The vegetation, mammals, and birds of the the more resistant rock. Erosion is thus seen monument are typical of the pinyon-juniper The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the to be the sculptor that carved the innumer­ belt of the Colorado Plateau. Sagebrush, scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment able towers, pinnacles, and great domes you saltbush, and squawbush form much of the of its people. see in Capitol Reef today. shrubby ground cover. Deer are present at Trails into the wild upper sections of ins are available from local ranchers. These Capitol Reef National Monument should not accommodations are all on private lands be attempted without a qualified guide. Do within the monument. not crosscut or wander off the regular trails. Camping space, tables, fireplaces, wood Hikers and mountain climbers planning trips and water are provided near monument head­ into the back country should notify the super­ quarters. Electricity, water, and utility serv­ CAPITOL R»r intendent before and after each trip. ice connections for housetrailers are available Two miles southeast of Fremont River is at the lodge. Water from streams or irriga­ a side road turning left. This extends 21/, tion ditches should be boiled before drinking. miles down Grand Wash, which is one of Gasoline is available at the lodge, but there the finest attractions in the monument. From are no facilities for repair of automobiles. the parking place in the canyon, a half-mile easy hike takes you into the narrows where the 1,000-foot sheer walls are only 16 feet Preservation of the Monument apart at the narrowest point. About ll/2 miles from the parking area, Grand Wash Regulations have been designed for the joins Fremont River. protection of the natural features and for your safety and convenience. Please do not damage the pictographs or How to Reach the Monument petroglyphs or disturb the flowers, trees, wildlife, or other natural features. Use of The best approach to Capitol Reef Na­ firearms is not permitted. tional Monument is from U. S. 89 at Sigurd, Camp and picnic only in the established Utah. State Route 24 leads south and east campground. Help Us Keep Your Monu­ from Sigurd and is paved to monument head­ ment Clean! quarters, a distance of 72 miles. FIRES AND SMOKING. Be careful Monument roads are usually open all year, with all fires, including cigarettes and cigars. but the best time to visit is from May 15 to Be Sure Your Camp fire Is Out! October 15. PETS. You may take a pet into the mon­ State Route 24 continues on through the ument provided you keep it on leash or under monument, through Capitol Gorge to Green other physical restraint at all times. River, a distance of 103 miles. The last 30 miles before connecting with U. S. 50 is now paved; the first 73 miles are on a dirt road, Mission 66 difficult to travel when wet. Mission 66 is a program designed to be An unusually scenic approach is through completed by 1966 which will assure the Escalante and Boulder and over Boulder Mountain, connecting with State Route 24 maximum protection of the scenic, scientific, one mile east of Torrey. This graded road wilderness, and historic resources of the Na­ runs partly through spectacular red-rock tional Park System in such ways and by such country and partly through forests of pine means as will make them available for the and aspen. It is usually free of snow from use and enjoyment of present and future June 15 to October 15, but local inquiry generations. should be made before attempting this route. APRIL 1958 NM-CR 7004 Administration About Your Visit Capitol Reef National Monument is ad­ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ministered by the National Park Service, Fred A. Seaton, Secretary Capitol Reef Lodge offers sleeping accom­ U. S. Department of the Interior. A super­ NATIONAL MONUMENT • Utah modations and meals for a limited number intendent, whose address is Torrey, Utah, is NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • Conrad L. Wirth, Director of guests. Gifford Motel also offers modern in immediate charge. He can usually be accommodations, including two housekeep­ reached either at the monument office or at COVER: Capitol Reef framed by Hickman Natural Bridge. ing apartments. Ranch-style meals and cab­ his residence II/4 miles east. REVISED 1958 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1958—Q-467579