The Cohab Trail-a hike too great for one post

Sunday August 31, 2014
Fruita Campground
Capitol Reef National Park
Torrey, Utah

 

 

I just love trails I don’t have to drive to.  The Cohab Trailhead is within walking distance of the campground.  It is just beyond the Gifford House Barn.  It is about 6:30 in the morning when we arrive at the trail head. 

 

 

 

What a starting point don’t you think!   Gorgeous already!!

 

As with other trails here in Capitol Reef, it is up up and on narrow trails that wind around the formation you are climbing. The trail climbs up the steep side of the Waterpocket Fold, and into the mouth of Cohab Canyon atop the Waterpocket Fold.

 

 

 

The Waterpocket Fold is the major geologic feature that defines Capitol Reef National Park.  It is a buckle in the Earth’s surface almost 100 miles long running north-south.  Along The Fold, rocks have been pushed upward and erosion has cut through the layers, creating deep narrow canyons and interesting formations.

It isn’t long until we are looking down on the barn and the road to the campground.   The sun begins to shine on the cliffs. The barn is further below.

 

 

 

 

 

The first part of the trail climbs to the upper base of the canyon and nearly 400 feet above Fruita.

We round a corner, the barn is no more and finally the path levels out for a while.  The rocks in every direction are fabulous.  One of the best things about coming out at dawn is seeing the play of light on the rocks. 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now within the walls of Cohab Canyon.  Soon we are back to climbing up on narrow paths but it’s not as steep as the trail’s beginning. 

 

 

 

 

 

At points the trail is a jumble of rocks so you have to step carefully and stop often just to be amazed at their shapes and sizes and colors. 

 

 

 

 

 

Even the stones we are walking on are colorful.   This hike could take all day.   LOL

 

 

 

It’s a very interesting trail for sure with some pretty narrow trail spots to get through.

 

 

 

 

Many of the canyon rocks are eroded and have holes sometimes filled with other rocks. The holes are of various shapes and sizes and make the rocks resemble swiss cheese.

 

 

 

 

I find the geology so interesting and wonder how all these rocks of such various colors can all be eroded away in these patterns.  I imagine they are all various forms of sandstone distinguishable by their color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know this is a lot of rock pictures but they are just so amazing.  Just a few more to show you the intricacies.

 

 

 

 

We discover our first slot canyon.  Now this is nothing like the fabulous ones in Antelope Canyon but we are thrilled.

 

 

The entry way starts out fairly wide and then gets narrower and narrower.

 

 

In order to get to the back of the slot, we have to squeeze through here.  We’re both skinny enough that this is not a big problem but then……….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David makes it in.  Of course he does, he’s built like a tooth pick and then he takes pictures and  laughs while I try to follow.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUCCESS!!!

 

Here’s what we find inside.

 

 

 

 

 

Getting out is actually even harder than getting in.   But that’s a story for another day.