Chimney Rock-Lower Spring Canyon, Cap Reef NP

Scott Chandler

Wildness is a necessity- John Muir
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With a three day weekend and plans to canyoneer with a friend on Saturday I drove south Friday, not really knowing where I'd end up. I figured I would do something in Capital Reef but did not know what. I had a couple ideas but would decide based off the time.

On the drive down I passed two gorgeous golden eagles picking a carcass clean. It is funny how they could stand cars wizzing by but when one slowed down to look they would have none of it. I got a couple pictures that don't do these grand birds justice (I like my DSLR but miss the ability to zoom.)

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Coming into Capital Reef later than I wanted for the option to head south I decided I'd hike in Chimney Rock Canyon and down Spring Canyon for a bit. I would just see where it took me. It turned out to be a very pleasant hike. I have not done much of anything in Capital Reef since I was really young so this hike was a good way to wet the tongue for more. I hope to visit the area again soon to be better acquainted.

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I also stopped by the Goosenecks to see what they were before heading to Hanksville for a burger and then to the Reef to sleep.

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Nice pictures! How far down spring canyon did you go? Did you see any water? Capitol Reef is an awesome place.
 
I only went down Spring Canyon for a couple of miles to where it had a stretch of slot and met no water that wasn't easily bypassed. There were a couple small pools though and I bet there was more in the slot if someone wanted to adventure in it.
 
On my very first solo road trip in Utah this was one of the first hikes I did. Seeing that shot taken from the top of the Mummy Cliffs brings back the absolute awe I felt seeing it for the first time. Great report, thanks for sharing!
 
Nice pics, thanks for the report. One of these days, I'll backpack Spring Canyon from top to bottom.
 
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