Going Solo in Capitol Reef

Would this be a viable route in October (water availability/road access/weather)? Trying to put together 3D/2N in Utah some time in the next 2-3 weeks.
 
Makes me wonder how I can fit in a limited number of Springs and Falls within a limited longevity.
 
SKLund said:
Makes me wonder how I can fit in a limited number of Springs and Falls within a limited longevity.
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I often wonder the same thing. My bones have a limited and quantifiable number of trips left in them so I need to Carpe Diem and get more trips in with the time remaining and prioritize the ones left I vowed to do.... :moses:
 
Wanderlust073 said:
Would this be a viable route in October (water availability/road access/weather)? Trying to put together 3D/2N in Utah some time in the next 2-3 weeks.
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Barring snow...
I would expect so. Road access is all paved if you stick to this route and October is one of my favorite months.
 
Ugly said:
Barring snow...
I would expect so. Road access is all paved if you stick to this route and October is one of my favorite months.
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Didn't think snow was even a consideration that far southwest... Thanks!
 
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No final plans yet, but I am down that way Friday... weather is supposed to be excellent.
Capitol Reef is at 5k-6k feet.

I do a spring trip with the kids each year there. This was early April this year. Two days later it was back to 80d.
Capitol Reef-GSENM 20170491.jpg
 
Wanderlust073 said:
Would this be a viable route in October (water availability/road access/weather)? Trying to put together 3D/2N in Utah some time in the next 2-3 weeks.
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Water: I'm pretty sure the spring in the upper canyon is there all year long. I can't say the same for the lower canyon, but judging by how much water there was there in the spring, I'm sure there'd be some down there in the fall as well. I'd even consider camping up by the upper spring anyway, as the distance between the upper and lower spring isn't all that far. Guess it all depends on how soon you start in the day, but if you got an early enough start, camping up in the upper canyon would allow you to have a ton of time to explore further up the upper canyon before returning back to camp. Fremont River and Sulphur Creek are definitely flowing all year long. Fremont River crossing would be at its easiest level in the fall.

Road: Access to the trailhead was right off of highway 24 that's open all year long.

Weather: Weather is known to be more consistently better in the fall down there. Storms and winds come and go more often through the Spring down there with a more inconsistent pattern. There are often days where the park is basking in sunshine while the town of Torrey and Boulder Mountain just above the Park will get blasted by thunderstorms and other days where it's visa versa.
 
Will, I enjoyed seeing places out there I've never seen. I particularly love the photo you took at the tempting campsite" you bypassed on Day 2 before coming back to, Will. Looks like an amazing place to catch a sunrise from! :)

Have you considered picking up an Ursack for your desert/above-treeline camping? Keeps fear of little critters and big critters at bay for me. I put an OpSak inside the Ursack with all my food inside both and have never had any issues worrying about food. I hang it in bear country and either just leave it on the ground away from camp or tie it to a tree if available outside of bear country.

Thanks for sharing some lovely Cap. Reef backcountry with us! :)
 
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