Welcome to Travel Tuesday! I think Capitol Reef National Park is probably one of my favorite super-underrated parks. I’d love to go back sometime to explore some more, but in the meantime, check out my hike on the Hickman Bridge Trail!
Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park
Distance: 1.8 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 426 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1 hour
Trailhead Address: Hickman Bridge Trail Head, UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Parking: Trailhead lot available
There’s a parking area about 2 miles from the visitor center. The trail follows the Fremont River in the beginning, and you’ll be climbing a good amount of stairs before descending into the valley.
This is a really pretty + quick hike with gorgeous views of the canyon + high-desert views!
It’s not a super populated hike, but it is one of the most popular hikes in the park, so maybe don’t go on this one if you want solitude (or go super early/later in the day!).
The trail actually takes you right through the arch!
Hickman Bridge spans about 133 feet with a height of 125 feet. It’s an easy and short introductory hike to Capitol Reef National Park, and if you so choose, you can continue up the Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs Trail to get further up the cliffs. (I didn’t end up doing this because I was short on time!
Why was I short on time, you ask? I went to the Gifford House so I could check out their famous locally baked fruit pies and homemade ice cream! (They were amazinggggg.)
There’s a picnic area outside where you can enjoy your delicious finds, and I also decided to take the scenic drive to check out the rest of the park too. (The orchards unfortunately didn’t have any ripe fruits when I went, but you’re apparently allowed to harvest ripe fruit from the orchards that have “U-Pick Fruit” signs for free! *-*
- Did you ever get to pick any fruit in Capitol Reef National Park?
- Have you ever gone on a solo hike?
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How beautiful! I absolutely love the colors of the Southwest!
Me too! I’d love to go back again to explore more! :]
Wooah what a gorgeous area to hike – I love that this is such a short walk, with such a gorgeous pay-off in terms of cool geological views!!
Plus, who wouldn’t love a hike that finished with an apple pie!? I can totally see why you fancy going back to explore more in this area!
Josy A recently posted…Tunnel Bluffs from Lions Bay
It definitely had an aweeeesome payoff! <3
Agreed with the pie! I wanna try all the flavors they have! :P!
Farrah recently posted…Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park
Such a beautiful hike. The bridges are so cool. I love those sandstone colors. And the pies are a really good price–in New England they would be twenty bucks. Hope you got a lot of them.
$20?!?!? Oh man, I definitely got it for an amazing price then! I only got one so there was just one of me to eat em’, but maybe next time if I go back with more people, we’ll be able to try more flavors! :]
I’m always a little scared to go on a hike by myself – afraid to get lost or to feel unsafe. Some stories got inside my head but I do love talking walks on my own so I definitely want to start walking in the forest on my own. It’s so peaceful.
I feel ya! I spent a lot of time living on my own in states where I knew no one (or barely anyone) so I kinda climbed out of that mentality if only so that I could still explore and travel. It’s definitely good to be safe though! I always have a piece of worry in the back of my head when I’m hiking alone (especially if it’s a more technical/difficult hike)!
Farrah recently posted…Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park
Looks beautiful!
Thanks! :]!
The National Parks are real gems and the Capitol Reef National Park is amazing. I really love the look of the Hickman Bridge Trail. The canyon and its rock formations have a kind of wild beauty which is so endearing. I guess it is an amazing experience to feel the wind on your face as you walk through this rugged terrain.
Agreed!! :] I hope to go back there someday! :]
We spent a weekend here a few years ago and loved the cherry pie from Gifford House! Just like you, we were short on time and didn’t adventure onto many of the trails. This one looks great. Next time!
I’m glad you were able to check a couple of them out! I’d definitely love to come back to explore more someday! :]
I have not picked fruit at a national park, but I could be tempted to pick up one of those pies! Those and the ice cream sound amazing!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Weekly RunDown: August 23 – 29 / Shorter Days
They were super good! I wanna go back to pick fruit next time! :P