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Date: June 27, 2007
Contact: Riley Mitchell, 435-425-3791 ext. 110

The annual apricot crop harvest at Capitol Reef National Park’s historic orchards will open on Wednesday, June 27^th.   The Johnson, Adams and Gifford orchards along the Scenic Drive will be open for picking at 9 a.m. that day. Availability of apricots in the Mulford orchard, next to Loop C in the Fruita campground, will be announced. The orchards will remain open as long as the fruit lasts, and will close no later than dusk each day through the harvest. A high yield crop that will last at least ten days is anticipated. Apricot prices are $1 per pound, or $16 per bushel.

 

The National Park Service provides special fruit picking ladders. Climbing the fruit trees is not permitted anywhere in the Park. The public is cautioned to use care when picking fruit and to read carefully the posted instructions on fruit picking and ladder use.

 

Capitol Reef National Park uses the receipts from the fruit sales to help defray the costs of maintaining the historic orchards. The historic Fruita orchards of Capitol Reef are the largest in the National Park System and were established around the turn of the century by the pioneer residents of Fruita.

 

Be safe and enjoy the experience.  For more information, the public can call the Capitol Reef Fruit Hotline at (435) 425-3791.  To reach the hotline once the park number connects, press one and at the voice prompt press 8.