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WATERPOCKET DISTRICT
 The
spectacular Waterpocket District, or southern section, of Capitol
Reef National Park is open all year. Vehicles with good ground
clearance, such as pickup trucks, vans, and a variety of passenger
cars, can usually negotiate most of the roads without difficulty.
However, road conditions can vary greatly depending on recent
weather conditions. Spring and summer rains and winter snows can
sometimes leave roads slick, muddy, washed out, and impassable
to the best four wheel drive vehicle. Many of the roads are unpaved,
and are often rough, sandy, and corrugated. Check at the visitor
center for current road and weather conditions before you begin.
Vehicle and foot travel in the southern part of the park can
be light to moderate, depending on the time of year, so be prepared
for the unexpected. If you have problems, help may not arrive
for hours or even days. Carry plenty of water, food, gas, adequate
clothing, a shovel, and emergency supplies. Cool/cold temperatures
will accompany sudden summer storms or an unexpected night out
in the backcountry. Daytime temperatures in the summer may top
100 degrees and winter highs may stay below freezing, so dress
and plan accordingly.
THE LOOP TOUR
Most visitors to the southern part of the park drive the 125 mile
loop, or various sections of it. Start at the visitor center and
follow Hwy 24 east to the Notom Road; take the Notom-Bullfrog
Road south to the Burr Trail Road; continue on the Burr Trail
Road west to Boulder; continue north on Hwy 12 to Torrey; and
then drive east on Hwy 24 back to the visitor center. Highways
24 and 12 and the first 5 miles of the Notom Road from Hwy 24
are paved. The Burr Trail Road from the park boundary west to
Boulder is also a surfaced road.
Side trips can be taken south of the Burr Trail Road junction
along the Notom- Bullfrog Road to short day hikes at Surprise
and Headquarters Canyons (each is a moderate 2-mile round trip),
or to the Hall's Creek Overlook, which may require high clearance
or four wheel drive, for an outstanding view of the Fold and
Brimhall Natural Bridge. Along the Burr Trail Road, a four-wheel-drive-only
side road follows Upper Muley Twist Canyon to the Strike Valley
Overlook, a colorful, bird's eye view of the Fold and the Henry
Mountains.
Camping is restricted to the 5-site Cedar Mesa campground
located along the Notom-Bullfrog Road 20 miles south of Hwy
24. The campground is free and is run on a first-come, first-served
basis. Picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets are provided.
Water is not available. Wood collecting is not permitted in
the park. A 3-mile round trip hike to Red Canyon, a colorful,
high-walled box canyon, starts from the campground.
Backpackers must obtain a free backcountry permit at the visitor
center before starting their trip. Multi-day backpacking
trips can be done in Hall's Creek, Upper and Lower Muley
Twist Canyons, and other areas in the south.
Approximate Distances From the Visitor Center:
- 9 mi Notom Road
- 31 mi Cedar Mesa Campground
- 43 mi Burr Trail Road Junction
- 45 mi The Post
- 60 mi Hall's Creek Overlook
- 80 mi Boulder (via the Notom-Bullfrog and Burr Trail Roads)
- 47 mi Boulder (via Hwy 12)
Notom-Bullfrog Road to Lake Powell (at Bullfrog Marina)
The Notom-Bullfrog Road south from the Burr Trail Road junction
traverses approximately 25 miles of spectacular desert country
to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell at Bullfrog
marina. After leaving Capitol Reef, the unpaved road continues
10 miles to a major road junction. The road to Lake Powell is
paved from this point south, approximately 10 miles, to the boundary
of Glen Canyon NRA. The access road to Hall's Creek Overlook is
located along this section of road and is marked by signs. Within
Glen Canyon, the road is unpaved until you reach the developed
area approximately 4 miles from the marina. The road from Capitol
Reef to Bullfrog is normally in good condition, with the exception
of the Bullfrog Creek crossing (several miles north of the marina)
which occasionally is impassable due to deep water and mud.
Approximate Distances From the Burr Trail and Notom-Bullfrog
Roads Junction:
- 2 mi The Post
- 3 mi South Park Boundary
- 15 mi Junction with Paved Road to Bullfrog Marina
- 15.5 mi Hall's Creek Overlook Access Road
- 25 mi Bullfrog Marina
GEOLOGY
A drive south along the Notom-Bullfrog Road offers comprehensive
views of the 100-mile long geologic structure known as the Waterpocket
Fold. The Fold, a monocline in geologic terms, is a premier
example of the bending and folding of rock layers. The Waterpocket
Fold is notable for its great length, as well as for the dramatic
manner in which its colorful sedimentary rock layers have been
exposed, deformed, and carved by erosion. The monocline extends
from Thousand Lake Mountain in the north to the vicinity of Lake
Powell in the south.
Pressure deep within the Earth caused the overlying horizontal
rock layers to be pushed upward and folded over. Today this
monoclinal structure appears as a step with one sloping side
that ends in an abrupt cliff line. The east side of the Fold
is tilted as much as 60% from the normal horizontal which caused
excelerated stream erosion to occur. An estimated 7,000 feet
of overlying rock has been eroded away since the formation of
the Fold, 60 million years ago. The west side, or escarpment
face, is a near vertical cliff line and a formidable barrier
to travel.
Erosion and the resulting geological features provide a source
of park names. The vast expanse of white Navajo Sandstone atop
the sloped side of the monocline is dotted with numerous natural
tanks or potholes that collect rain water, contributing the
name "Waterpocket" Fold. Navajo Sandstone domes resemble the
rounded roof of the Capitol building, hence the name "Capitol."
Many early travelers were former sailors who likened the vertical
cliffs of Wingate Sandstone to a barrier common in nautical
travel: a "Reef."
As you travel along the Notom-Bullfrog Road you will be driving
through Strike Valley, which runs parallel to and on the east
side of the Waterpocket Fold. The Burr Trail Road crosses through
the Fold via a series of steep switchbacks. Both roads offer
an outstanding viewing platform for this geologic wonder and
of the Henry Mountains to the east. Enjoy your visit to this
land of extraordinary rock formations...it's time well spent!
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