Having had my fill of autumn colors in Colorado by mid-October this year, we headed out to the desert for a week of car camping, hiking and exploring in Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah (with one little backpack trip to cap it off at the end). We pretty much always hike every day of every desert road trip we do, but I was also really looking forward to a relaxed week of camping with the truck, just chilling out in the desert and sleeping in every day without being too obsessed about the photography pursuits. But of course I did take the camera; here are a few highlights from our various hikes.
A Week at Capitol Reef
October 2022 | Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Looking north over the convoluted landscape of Capitol Reef from Fern's Nipple, a prominent boob-shaped sandstone peak named after some pioneer's embarrassed wife (I'm guessing).
The wildly convoluted sandstone landscape of Capitol Reef.
Hiking through a narrow, slanted slot canyon in Capitol Reef.
An unnamed, massive arch in a remote area of Capitol Reef.
Hiking through a colorful canyon in Capitol Reef.
Walking along the top of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. Can you spot the hiker?
Gotta love slickrock camps, having a broad "patio" to spread your gear out and being able to walk around in your socks!
A fisheye view from within an enormous overhanging alcove.
Massive sandstone walls tower above a cottonwood tree.
Walking through a deep sandstone hallway in Capitol Reef.
We had enjoyed beautiful sunny calm weather during the entire week there, but during our final night camping at the truck, the wind picked up and by morning had developed into a full-on dust storm! We high-tailed it back home just before a snowstorm rolled in, content with our timing and time spent in Capitol Reef.
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