Originally published in The Green River Observer, August.
Pendleton Barn, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 2025
Making a trip to a national park feels like the best way to spend the Fourth of July weekend. I feel our National Parks are one of our greatest ideas as a nation.
Ansel Adams famously said, “No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being”. I have similar feelings regarding sheer sandstone cliffs. Upon arriving at our campsite, I was delighted to see the rugged sandstone cliffs to both our North and South. I immediately knew I had to take a photo featuring this. After a brief walk around the area, I decided to take a photo of the historic Pendleton Barn in front of the sandstone cliffs.
The next day, we woke up early to hike Sulfur Creek. Sulfur Creek is a six-mile hike through a slot canyon featuring several waterfalls. Hiking the creek requires frequent walking in ankle-deep water, occasional thigh-high water, and optional chest-high water. These conditions can vary based on weather, and I feel it should go without saying, but don’t hike in a slot canyon when there is any possibility of rain in the forecast. This trail also has several spots where you have to use your hands to lower yourself down off of ledges. While you take in the beauty in front of you be sure to occasionally turn around to see the beauty that is behind you. The most exhilarating part of this hike is at the final waterfall. Here you have the option of scooting around a ledge and lowering yourself down, or you can slide down the waterfall into the chest-high water below. Thanks to my traveling companions I was able to do the latter while they lowered my backpack down to me.
After our hike, we drove into the town of Torrey, where we ate at a food truck called Capitol Burger. I had the mac and cheese burger. It was a delicious blend of familiar ingredients. After our lunch, we ventured to Etta Place Cidery. We each sampled a flight of different ciders. I went with a set of the sweeter ciders they had on offer. I particularly enjoyed their Grand Circle Semi-Dry cider and the Wassail Spiced Cider. I was going to purchase a bottle of each from their bottle shop, but they were out of the Wassail Spiced, so I got two of the Grand Circle. After purchasing our ciders, we returned to camp and spent the rest of the evening making s’mores and talking around the fire.
The next day, we packed up our camp and hiked the Hickman Bridge Natural Bridge trail. While this hike was shorter both in distance and duration, I felt it was more strenuous than Sulfur Creek because of the elevation changes and the lack of shade. Seeing the Hickman Bridge was worth the hike, despite how much I hate hiking uphill. Being one of the park’s more popular trails, this hike was more populated than yesterday’s, but luckily we went early enough that it still wasn’t too busy.
One of my favorite things about this whole trip is that it never felt like it was too crowded. Capitol Reef is Utah’s least-visited National Park. While I selfishly enjoy this, there are downsides to it as well. With budget cuts already happening to our parks, the less-visited parks will be the most affected. I encourage every American to visit our national parks, at least once in their lives, if not at least once a year. I will certainly be returning to Capitol Reef. There is a lot more I want to explore.