Utah’s Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: Hikes range from 2-8 miles for an average of 4-5 hours of physical activity per day. You will carry a day pack with only what you will need during the day. No previous experience is needed to complete this trip; however, some trails are fairly steep and being relatively fit and enthusiastic is important. The group will travel in a 15-passenger van between destinations.

WEATHER: Weather in Southern Utah changes frequently. Temperatures range from high 60s to low 80s during the day with cool nights. Be prepared for all types of weather. Rain is likely, so a good raincoat is important.

YOUR GROUP: The group will be 6-12 people total with 1-2 Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group could consist of people of various ages, backgrounds, and abilities, including people with disabilities. Our trips are cooperative in nature. Staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can.

SINGLE TRAVELERS: If you are traveling alone, you will feel at home with a welcoming group. If you would like to have your own room throughout the trip, you may purchase a single supplement for an additional fee.

ACCOMMODATIONS: We will sleep in a variety of lodges and motels at night. Typically there are 2-3 people per room, matched by gender or requests to room together. In most rooms, solo travelers have single beds and couples share beds.

MEALS: All breakfasts and dinners will be prepared for us, lunches will be prepped picnic style each morning to take with us on our adventure. Meals will offer fresh, healthy ingredients for bountiful dishes. Vegetarian meals and other dietary needs are easy to accommodate. There will be plenty of snacks provided throughout each day. We’ll enjoy happy hours together, but the purchase of alcoholic beverages is not included in the trip fees.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: Wilderness Inquiry will provide all group equipment. You will need to provide your personal gear as outlined in the packing list. If you are new to outdoor activities, you do not need to spend a lot of money. Wilderness Inquiry can usually arrange for you to borrow most items.

COVID POLICY: We continue to monitor and update our COVID-19 policies. Wilderness Inquiry strongly encourages everyone to be fully up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination and take other necessary steps for the health and wellness of all. We ask you to self-screen for any signs of illness prior to your trip’s departure. Please contact Wilderness Inquiry if you are exhibiting signs of illness. We will also continue to follow all guidance and requirements of locations that we travel, keeping in mind some international destinations do require vaccinations and/or negative covid tests. We will update this policy as new information and guidance becomes available. 

SAFETY WHILE ON TRAIL:  Though not required, some individuals may choose to wear a mask, and we expect all participants to respect this choice. Please ensure proper hygiene including, but not limited to, hand-washing and/or sanitizing before eating and after using the restroom. Individuals who become ill or test positive for COVID-19 during a Wilderness Inquiry experience will be isolated to the best of the group’s ability and are responsible for their own transportation and expenses to depart the trip.

The vast expanse of white Navajo Sandstone atop the sloped side of the monocline is dotted with numerous natural tanks or potholes that collect rainwater, contributing to the name “Waterpocket” Fold. Navajo Sandstone domes resemble the Capitol building, hence the name “Capitol.” Many early prospectors were former sailors who likened the vertical cliffs of Wingate Sandstone to a barrier common in nautical travel, “Reef.”

The area of Capitol Reef has been a home to many people for thousands of years. Originally this was home to hunters and gatherers who migrated through the canyons. Then Fremont Culture solidified, 500 CE, from food foraging groups and farmers. Petroglyphs etched into rock walls and painted pictographs remain as sacred remnants of the ancient natives’ saga. Explorers, Mormon pioneers, and others arrived in the 1800s, settling in to what is now the Fruita Rural Historic District. They planted and nurtured orchards of apples, pears, and peaches, which are still present today.

The Waterpocket Fold defines Capitol Reef National Park. An 87-mile long warp in the Earth’s crust, the Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline: a regional fold with one very steep side in an area of otherwise nearly horizontal layers. A monocline is a “step-up” in the rock layers. The rock layers on the west side of the Waterpocket Fold have been lifted more than 7000 feet higher than the layers on the east.

More recent uplift of the entire Colorado Plateau and the resulting erosion has exposed this fold at the surface only within the last 15 to 20 million years. The name Waterpocket Fold reflects this ongoing erosion of the rock layers. Erosion of the tilted rock layers continues today forming colorful cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, stark monoliths, twisting canyons, and graceful arches.

Capitol Reef National Park contains nearly a quarter million acres in the slickrock country of Utah. Plant and animal life is diverse because of a variety of habitats such as pinyon-juniper, perennial streams, dry washes and rock cliffs.