The next day we continued our trip on SR-12 (which starts at its junction with US-89 south of Panguitch and ends at its junction with SR-24 at Torrey). The part of SR-12 from Escalante to Torrey has some of most awesome scenery of almost any road we've driven! If you drive this road, be sure to stop at the viewpoints, particularly the Head of Rocks overlook, and the Homestead overlook. The pictures below simply do not do the views justice. From the Homestead overlook at an elevation of more than 9,400 feet, you can see the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef and the northern part of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument -- fabulous! The Head of Rocks overlook is interesting for its stark, moonscape appearance.
Head of Rocks Overlook:
Another view along SR-12
Homestead Overlook:
We stopped to have lunch at the Burr Trail Grill in Boulder -- we would recommend this restaurant to anyone!
From Boulder, you can take the Burr Trail east to the Waterpocket Fold, descend the Fold, and either go north on the Notom-Bullfrog Road to Capitol Reef, or south to Bullfrog on Bullfrog Bay which is part of Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. DO NOT, however, take a trailer, fifth wheel, or large RV on this road, particularly if you are planning on descending the Waterpocket Fold -- an automobile or a SMALL Class B or Class C is the largest vehicle that should make this trip! We will describe the trip we made from Capitol Reef down the Notom-Bullfrog Road and up the Waterpocket fold below.
We spent the night at the Singletree Campground in the Dixie National Forest -- $5 per night with the Golden Age Passport. No hookups, but water is available. This campground is north of the Homestead Overlook, and also has a view of Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase Escalante.
The next day, we continued on to Capitol Reef, staying at the Fruita Campground within the park -- $5.00 per day with the Golden Age Passport. No hookups, but water and a dump are available. This campground is located in the Fruita Historic District. Fruita was a Mormon settlement dating from the 19th century. There are apple, peach, cherry, pear, and apricot trees growing in and around the campground which were planted by the original Mormon settlers. You may pick and eat the fruit at no charge while visiting; however, there is a fee for fruit you take with you. Of course, we weren't there at the right time for any fruit to be ripe. There were quite a few deer wandering in the park -- we had some that were right outside the RV, which kept Maxx entertained!
After setting up, we took the Scenic Drive, a 25-mile round trip which follows the west face of the Fold, and leads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, two deep, twisting, water-carved, sheer-walled canyons.
The Waterpocket Fold is made of many layers of sedimentary rock formed over hundreds of millions of years from sediment in seas, tidal flats, deserts, and other ancient environments. Then it was uplifted by the same forces that later uplifted the Colorado Plateau. Many of the uppermost layers of the ancient fold have been completely eroded away, leaving only a hint of the enormity of the Waterpocket Fold in its earlier days.
Capitol Reef National Park:
On Sunday, we drove the Notom-Bullfrog Road to, and up, the Burr Trail switchbacks. This is the portion of the road that you would not want to take anything larger than an automobile up or down (maybe a very small Class B or Class C). This portion of the road is steep and the switchbacks are about 180 degree turns -- plus its a gravel road. We had lunch at the top and then turned around and came back to the campground. The views on this road are spectacular!
Views along Notom-Bullfrog Road:
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