Evening Spent at Capitol Reef National Park

We ventured back into the park yesterday to catch, hopefully, the glistening red rock cliffs as the sun was setting.  But an hour before we headed out we had a tremendous 10 minutes of very high gusty wind.  Wow!  We are used to the air getting very dusty after one of the micro burst wind storms in Arizona and had hoped that in this case, the air would not be affected.

Waterpocket Fold looking north 

Stunning colors

Grand Wash's southern entrance (hiked northern other day)

Traveled the scenic road south through the park taking in the Waterpocket Fold and still marveling at the majestic cliffs and the colors.  As we turned around at Capitol Gorge where the pavement ends and a dirt road continues for another 5 miles we saw where our vista views looking back north had dimmed.  Lots of smoke - we could smell it.  As we traveled back and stopped at various places to take our last pictures, the smell of smoke got stronger.  And we thought, hello - wildfires.  Here we go again on our summer journey.

Just love the burnt orange color 

Got situated at a place called Panoramic View Pullout and waited for the sun's direct rays to hit the walls.  Was not disappointed, but by then we had started coughing a lot. We were definitely smelling the affects of where ever the wildfire was raging.  Just a hour's time passing and the smoke was really filling up Capitol Reef National Park.

Looking north again - notice smoke in canyon?

Got back to the RV and noticed as we looked across to Boulder Mountain which is our view looking out the front of the RV that the mountain was gone - covered in thick smoke.  Got on the computer and found that about 4:30pm (about the time of the high winds) wildfires broke out at Bryce Canyon National Park, southwest of here about 40 miles as the crow flies.  This morning the mountain is clear again, seems they got the fires under control.  Wonder what the rest of the summer will be like?

Boulder Mountain clear of smoke this morning

This is our last day here in Torrey, has been memorable.  We have put Capitol Reef National Park on our top 5 parks we have really enjoyed.  Tomorrow we head to Provo, Utah, on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, for a couple of days to do major shopping.  Then we head to Fort Bridger, Wyoming by next Tuesday.

Some last minute thoughts on CRNP:  the smells of the piñon pine, sagebrush, and last day of the wildfire smoke.  No birds, no animals to see (other than the almost tame mule deer near the campground of the park, the sound of wind moving through the canyons as we hiked.  The dry desert environment. Flowers just beginning to bloom, prickly pear cactus just budding out. The beautiful Fremont River meandering through the canyon, the colors! of the rocks.  Truly a sensory visit here at Torrey, Utah.