Weekend Photos: Navajo Knobs Trail, Capital Reef NP

This it the last post about my trip to Utah back in April. But no fear--summer outings have commenced, so I'm not without photos to share!

On the last morning of the trip, I got up extra early and headed out solo. No one else wanted to tackle a hike advertised as nearly 10 miles (it was actually barely 9), and I wanted to go fast and early both to beat the heat and crowds, and to have time to make some mileage toward home afterwards.

The start of the trail.

I believe I was the 5th or 6th car in the parking lot when I started hiking about sunrise. I hadn't gone far before I met two parties coming back, presumably from a very early hike to the Hickman Natural Bridge (less than a mile each way). After that, I saw no one for a very long time. Just the way I like it.

Me for the distant goal, something I never had time or will to do before.

 

A little further on I reached the Hickman Bridge overlook, and enjoyed seeing the bridge for once with no people around it.

Look carefully to see the bridge.

 

Once you climb above the valley, the trail runs along a ledge which I believe is Kayenta sandstone, below the Navajo sandstone that forms the domes that gave the park it's name. 

By trail standards, the ledge makes for a super-highway, though it's far from flat as you follow the tilted layers in and out of canyons.

 

The rim overlook provides a good view of the Fremont River valley, and all along there are views like this one of the park campground area, which is on the outskirts of the historic town of Fruita. 

The orchards of Fruita are still there, and a visitor who arrives early enough can buy delicious homemade pies (also bread and cinnamon rolls). I was lucky enough to have a travel companion willing to get the pies early and meet me for lunch after my hike! 

After a couple of miles I could see where I was headed--somewhere out around the end of that prow. It's farther than it looks, as being without wings I had to follow the ledge far around the inside of the side canyon!

Here you can see the tilt of the ledge--and why the trail isn't flat.

I reached the top of the knobs about 9:45 (after my 7:20 a.m. start), and was startled to find an older couple enjoying a snack there. The curves of the trail had hidden them as they hiked ahead of me, even as it seemed like I could scan most of the route. They kindly took some pictures of me perched on the high point, where the wind was strong enough no one cared to linger.

The author triumphant, but staying firmly seated.

Views from the top show the tangled landscape that draws me in, but must have been hell on the early settlers trying to get through with wagons.

Naturally, Petey Possum came along, and enjoyed exploring a gnarled and downed juniper.

I'd said I'd be back at the picnic area by noon, so I didn't linger too long on the summit or anywhere else, but enjoyed setting and keeping a brisk pace. Sometimes it's fun to push myself, and gratifying to find that I still can.

The somewhat overcast skies of earlier morning were clearing, so that, unusually, the light was possibly somewhat better as I went back (I usually figure I can put my camera away by about 10 a.m.). I got a few more shots of the canyons as I went along.

Looking west out of the park (towards Torrey, UT)

By the time I reached the rim overlook, there were quite a lot of people on the trail. Few venture beyond that point, which is probably as it should be since most hike in the middle of the day, which was growing warm.

By dint of moving steadily and fast, I managed to pull into the picnic area precisely at noon. My pie was waiting for me. I was hungry, so I got no photo of it before I ate it, but it was good. 

This shot of the lilacs and a hint of the cliffs will have to substitute for the pie.

 

And that's it for the canyons of Utah! Next week I may share photos of my latest hike--or maybe I'll finally finish a bit of flash fiction for you. You'll have to come back to find out :D

 

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025   
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