We eagerly await our first camping trip each spring and this year we chose the area of Wayne and Garfield Counties, Utah near Capitol Reef National Park as our destination. For this post I thought I’d present a few scenics from our trip. Apologies to those expecting bird images because there’s hardly a feather included in the bunch. Landscape photography is not my forte but I thought these shots would give you a feel for one of the most beautiful and dramatic areas of the country. We didn’t spend much time in the park itself where the most spectacular landscapes are found but these images should demonstrate that the entire area is rich in visual candy.
Sunrise over highway 24, west of Capitol Reef.
On the morning I took these first two shots we were on our way to photograph Sandhill Cranes at sunrise. We were later for the birds than planned as we stopped to enjoy the constantly changing light on the red cliffs.
This photo was taken from our campsite where we spent three nights. That’s mist and cloud enshrouded Boulder Mountain in the background.
Some of the many flowering fruit trees in the historic orchards of Fruita, Utah – within Capitol Reef NP.
These are ancient Anasazi handprints near Calf Creek. The image was taken across the span of a canyon from about a quarter-mile away so it’s difficult to see much detail. Years ago when I was working for the Utah Museum of Natural History I hiked several times to the base of these prints and I can’t even describe the awe I felt as I looked at them up close.
The remnants of an ancient Anasazi granary wedged in a rock alcove along the Fremont River.
I couldn’t resist taking a few shots like this as the moon rose over the cliffs in the east.
To me the upper part of this rock formation looked like a critter (fish or whale?) about to swallow the moon (yes, I get carried away with my imagination at times…).
The Burr Trail is nothing short of an adventure – these are some of the infamous switchbacks in the Waterpocket Fold. The perspective of my lens at 17mm tamed the steepness of this road dramatically – believe me it takes your breath away as you climb the extremely steep and precipitous gravel road, making hairpin turns as you go. If you look closely you can follow the road from the bottom of the frame to the bottom of the valley near center-top. The Henry Mountains in the far background were the last mountains to be added to the map of the lower 48 states (in 1872). They’re so remote that before 1872 they were called the “Unknown Mountains”. To this day the Navajo people call these mountains Dził Bizhiʼ Ádiní (“mountain whose name is missing”).
The erosional features in many areas are simply spectacular.
We can’t resist exploring the back country on these trips. This is one of the smoother sections of this “road” – most of it was truly bone-jarring. I kept my eye on my speedometer as I drove and I was usually going about 3 mph, often much slower.
Though we did a lot of exploring on this trip a significant portion of our time was spent right here, photographing migrating Sandhill Cranes as they foraged in agricultural fields with this spectacular backdrop.
For me it just doesn’t get much better than this.
Ron
These are wonderful photos of an absolutely gorgeous area, one I’d love to visit at some time. I can understand the awe over the Anasazi handprints – we volunteer as tour guides for the rock paintings at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (just east of El Paso, TX). Some of our rock paintings are at least 2,000 years old, and there are many amazingly beautiful ones. Even though I know you were there to photograph birds, I am grateful that you posted these shots – scenery this beautiful is always uplifting.
I believe we shared that rock art experience from JSA days. I’m always in awe of them and have fond memories of those days.
We are headed to Burr Trail area to camp next week if we don’t get rained out. Where were the sandhills? Was it along Pine Creek coming from Aquarius Plateau into Escalante? Campsite suggestions would be appreciated in either Wayne or Garfield counties.
I’ll email you, Deedee.
“Visual candy”.
And me with an incurable sweet tooth.
How do you possibly ever get anywhere? I’d be stopping every few feet.
Thank you, Ron.
Great photos, Ron. I love your fantastic bird photography, but it’s exciting to see your take on the Capitol Reef area, which is one of my favorite places that I’ve visited. Great stuff.
Thank you, Shane. I’m glad to hear that you like the area too.
Well Bugger! We were debating about going to Canyonlands and Arches this fall and decided on the Rockies. Now you are making me second guess our choice! 🙂 Been wanting to go back since we went to Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion several years ago. Beautiful pictures as always, even if they aren’t your forte!
Jeff, IMO, spring and fall are the best time for the Capitol Reef area. It can be pretty hot during mid-summer. Wherever you go I hope you have a wonderful time!
Ron, Dick, I, too often find myself trying to see “what it was like” from the elder’s (indigenous ), first people’s eyes whenever I can still see enough remnants.of the natural beauty of an over developed place to fuel my imagination. .For example, I’ve always done this with beautiful beaches, valleys and rivers, and even such horrors as New York City ,Miami Beach., and Hawaii (from pictures….have never been there)…and wondered about the people who first saw these places,what they thought about them, what they did, and where they lived. You can often tell by the names they gave these places that they loved them and appreciated their beauty, now usually distorted or destroyed. It’s interesting to know others do this, too.
I ‘ve just been enjoying these beautiful, incredibly stirring images again…going back when “the lure of the open road ” had me firmly in its grip…totally unable to resist what was “just around the next corner”, or “down that side road” or “just a little further on”, I traveled alone, except for my wolf dog, my backpack, camera and tent…always pulled along by the mystery and beauty of the land…and curiosity. They didn’t call me “”Detour” for nothing! I can’t tell you how I miss these times…or how much I hope you do as much of the same as you possibly can, while you can! Some day, you’ll realize how much your photos mean to viewers like me…
“Detour” – I love that name and what it says about you, Patty. And yes, I do this kind of thing as often as I possibly can and really enjoy it – as I can tell you used to. Thank you.
I can’t look at scenes like this, and yes they are gorgeous, and not let my imagination, though somewhat scientific in intent, wander to what the landscape and inhabitants were 10K and 50K years ago. Of course if I let it go too far back it was just water. A wonderful set of excellent landscape shots! Very much appreciate that you succumbed to take a side step and include them. Many thanks for sharing.
Dick, I do the same as you – let my mind wander to what things were really like “back then”. Doing so is really quite a marvelous experience.
For someone whose “forte is not as a landscape photographer” you do a fine imitation of one!!! I found these so beautiful and moving they brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so very, very much for the treat! I not only love to see the critters whose images you so magnificently capture and share, but their habitat, the land, rocks, plants and trees are equally loved and appreciated. These make me feel as if I was lucky enough to be there with you. Thanks again. (I see some kind of prehistoric face and head peering down at us from out of the rocks just to the left of the moon)…
Echoing Patty. Again. These are incredible images. Such a harsh landscape, and so very beautiful. And I could see a gargoyle head in that image – and it is WONDERFUL gargoyle country. They would be right at home.
Thank you, Elephant’s Child.
Patty, thanks for the encouragement on the landscapes! I really have no talent in that arena but perhaps my subject matter bailed me out this time.
Re: Your reply__A MAJOR MOUND OF BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do love you Patty. And it would require a forklift to move that mound…
Smile…
No talent for landscapes? You could have fooled me! I agree that the subject matter here is helpful, but if you didn’t have a good eye and love for what you are seeing, these photos would not be as good as they are. IMHO…
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing – I enjoy getting to see places I wouldn’t see otherwise. And the moonrise shot is stunning!
Thanks, Leisa.
Hi Ron, Thank you for reminding me of a wonderful father-son “bonding” trip from years ago. My son and I spent 35 days in a VW camper as we looped it to/from southern Utah from northern CA. We stayed in all the national parks (this was before they became crowded), hiked some slot canyons, and just plain enjoyed each other’s company. BTW, we stayed in that little campground at Fruita (interesting history!) which doesn’t seem to have changed. I could go on but…
I’ll share the link to this post with my son. Thanks for the memories!
Cheers,
Dick
It sounds like you had a wonderful time on that trip with your son, Dick. Memories like that are priceless. We stayed one night in that campground on this trip.
These are beautiful shots, Ron. I love this place, it is in my bones. You can’t beat the combination of high altitude, wide vistas, incredible rock formations, abundant wildlife, and fresh air. I am so glad you got down there in the spring. I hope you will visit again soon when we are there.
I know exactly why you love the area, Tana. I’ll be sure to check to see if you’re there next time I’m there. And many thanks for your help in finding birds on this trip.
Thank you Ron for sharing your adventure !
Thank you, John.
Ron, thanks for sharing and allowing me to re-visit that spectacular scenery. I would also have been in awe to see the Anasazi prints up-close. The first moon shot, the moon almost looks transparent – nice! Those rugged, 3 mph roads are always the best 😉
Glad to hear you’ve been there before, Patricia. And that you enjoy those rough roads!
Beautiful!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.