Capitol Reef Day 2
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Our second day in Capitol Reef National Park started with a mission - apple pie from the Gifford House. The day before it had sold out, so this time we went straight there first thing. With pie secured for later, the plan was simple: hike Cassidy Arch and then enjoy our reward.
Capitol Reef Sign
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We followed Grand Wash until it dead-ended at the trailhead. The Cassidy Arch Trail is about three miles round trip with 600 feet of elevation gain. It climbs quickly up slickrock switchbacks, giving sweeping views almost from the start. At the top, the trail delivers you to Cassidy Arch, a massive stone span high above Grand Wash. It’s named after Butch Cassidy, who once used the area as a hideout. You can even walk out on top of the arch, though don't look down!
Once we finished the hike, we finally dug into the apple pie. It lived up to the build-up. Hands down the best apple pie I’ve ever had.
As our final act, we stopped at the Fruita schoolhouse, a one-room building built in 1896 by Mormon settlers. After a last look at the cliffs and orchards of Capitol Reef, we picked up our trailer and headed east. On the way out we passed one of the quirkiest gas stations I’ve ever seen, Hollow Mountain, carved straight into the rock. Next to its sat a couple of old antique fire trucks.
By late afternoon we rolled into the Moab area and found a boondocking spot at South Klondike Bluffs on Road 142, ready to start the next chapter of the trip.
Once we finished the hike, we finally dug into the apple pie. It lived up to the build-up. Hands down the best apple pie I’ve ever had.
As our final act, we stopped at the Fruita schoolhouse, a one-room building built in 1896 by Mormon settlers. After a last look at the cliffs and orchards of Capitol Reef, we picked up our trailer and headed east. On the way out we passed one of the quirkiest gas stations I’ve ever seen, Hollow Mountain, carved straight into the rock. Next to its sat a couple of old antique fire trucks.
By late afternoon we rolled into the Moab area and found a boondocking spot at South Klondike Bluffs on Road 142, ready to start the next chapter of the trip.