We visited Capitol Reef National Park, so named because early travelers identified this location by the large white dome that they thought looked like the U.S. Capitol building.
The most visible geological feature, however, is the Waterpocket Fold, a 90-mile long fold in the earth's crust, which has eroded over millions of years to form canyons, cliffs and "pockets" that catch rainwater and snowmelt.
We hiked among the red rocks...
...and to overlooks.
The Fremont River, which has carved many of the canyons.
The Fremont People, ancestors of today's Hopi, Zuni and Paiute natives, lived here from 300 to 1300 AD and carved these and other petroglyphs.
Views as we left the park.
After leaving the park we took a potty break at this gas-station store located entirely inside a rock formation.
I'm glad you haven't gotten lost because to me it's hard to see where the trail is. There seem to be no markers--how do you know where you are? Very cool petroglyphs! Don't they kind of look like they're from another planet?
ReplyDeleteWe don't remember seeing any trail markers here, but there are often boot prints of other hikers who may or may not know where they're going. And yes, the petroglyphs here are bizarre--to us. Interestingly, even today, the Hopi--descendants of the Fremont People--wear "bizarre" full-body costumes during ceremonial dances. Google "Hopi katsina dances" for some great pictures.
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