11/07/02 Hiking Hickman Bridge Trail (2 miles round trip):
Got to Capitol Reef National Park about 12:30pm and did the Hickman Bridge Trail just to loosen up the leg muscles a little. This is a nice trail, mostly up for the first mile to the natural bridge and then back down again. Very overcast and chilly, probably in the 40's.
Spotted a small gray buck with 6-8 points along side the road. He just stood there posing, turning this profile and that to the camera. Then he yawned and then layed down. Nice pictures.
11/08/02 Hiking Golden Throne Trail (4 miles round trip):
Very strong winds last night. Probably 35-40mph sustained winds gusting to 50mph. Forecast said 2-3 feet of snow in the mountains, probably the Salt Lake City area. Things lightened up this morning.
Followed the scenic drive to the end where the Golden Throne Trail begins. Only 2 miles long but 1100 feet in elevation. This is where I saw the big horn ewe and kid last year and had no zoom on my camera. No such luck this time. Great hike though with slick rock and formations everywhere.
Followed this hike with a couple of miles into the nearby canyon. Petroglyphs and old signatures carved into the sandstone.
11/09/02:
Big time winds all last night. Heavy rains for a couple of hours. Winds and rains continued all day so I just hung out at the truck.
11/10/02 Hiking Navajo Knobs Trail (9 miles round trip):
Crunchy water this morning, ice on the windows and high winds. Navajo Knobs, Hickman Bridge and Rim Overlook Trails all start at the same place.
Hiked past the Hickman Bridge Trail junction and continued past the Hickman Bridge Overlook. Wind blowing 20-30mph and temperature in 40's. I was dressed for winter hiking. 2 1/4 miles to Rim Overlook. I just took a glance and kept going. A much better overlook 1 mile or so farther on.
Trail continues upwards 2 1/4 miles farther to Navajo Knobs. Total elevation about 1500 feet. Great views all the way. Much of the trail over slickrock.