Capitol Reef National Park - Hiking Hickman Bridge

The Hickman Bridge (a large, natural arch), was the one hike I really wanted to make time for at Capitol Reef.  Other members of my group wanted to hike the Grand Wash, so we decided to see if we could fit in both.  The Hickman Bridge hike is rated as moderate in the park information.  It is a one mile trail with a 400 foot elevation gain, and has both flat sections and sections that are a moderate climb.  It is suitable for all ages, and only requires comfortable shoes in the way of gear.  It is not a shady hike, so plan accordingly, and take water.

Beginning of the Hickman Bridge trail

The Hickman Bridge trail begins in a flat section.  It is a self-guided trail, and if you wish to, you may pick up a trail guide and follow the numbered points of interest along the way (there are 18).  We did not stop at all the points of interest, but did enjoy looking things up in the trail guide at various points along the trail.  Early in our hike, we passed several cactus plants, and some of them were in bloom.

Cactus on the Hickman Bridge trail

Allow about an hour each way on this hike.  It is a popular trail, and we talked to several people along the way.  Still, it did not feel crowded, and there were sections of the trail where we were alone.  The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow.

A view from the trail

Small arch bridges just off the trail.

Along the trail, we found these small natural arches.  We took a detour at this point, and spent several minutes climbing under these arches.  There is a large central hole through which you can view the blue sky.  It was shady in this small cavern-like area, and we stopped for a water break and took some pictures.

View from under the small arches

 It is hard to convey in words and photos what this little gem of a stop looked like, but I found this video clip a hiker posted to YouTube.  I hope it gives you a feel for one of our favorite parts of the trail!

We continued on the hike, and soon came to an area where the trail is mostly rock. There are some cairns marking the way, but at this point, you are very close to the arch and it isn't hard to find.  The Hickman Bridge is very striking.  It is a massive arch, and we sat under it in the shade for awhile.  We photographed it from both sides, and found it to be well worth the hike.

Hickman Bridge - Capitol Reef National Park

The "backside" of the Hickman Bridge

This is a really fun hike, and there are lots of interesting hollowed out places in the rocks along the way.  We had fun exploring off to the sides of the trail, and the kids found places to wiggle through and crawl over or under.  This spot was too good to resist, as it was shaped like a sarcophagus, so we stopped for a family photo op.

"Sarchophagus" shaped opening in the rock wall.

We spent some time at the Hickman Bridge just soaking in the beautiful scenery.  I am really glad we made time for this hike.  If you are visiting Capitol Reef and only have time for one hike, I would definitely recommend this one!

A great place to nap at the top of the trail!

If you go:  the trailhead is about 2 miles east of the Capitol Reef National Park Visitor's Center.  From the Visitor's Center, travel east on Highway 24 until you see the signs for the trailhead.  There is ample parking in the lot, and a pit toilet is available.  Plan about an hour each way on this hike, as there is a lot to see and enjoy along the way!

Flowers along the trail.

And of course, hiking is always great with a friend!

Nandy Bear at Capitol Reef National Park

More of our trip through Capitol Reef:

See Panorama Point here

Gifford homestead, Fruita

One roomed schoolhouse, Fruita

Petroglyphs

Hiking the Grand Wash

Hiking the Little Cottonwood Trail

Ruins of a mill

Tucked away in the trees beside Little Cottonwood Creek are the ruins of an old mill.  It is a pretty easy hike to reach the spot where you can view the mill.  The ruins are actually across the creek, which was still running fairly high when I went on this hike.  The mill-side of the creek also has a high wall rising from the creek bank to the mill, making access difficult.  I would NOT recommend crossing the creek and attempting to get to the mill at this point of the trail.

Little Cottonwood Creek

The trail leaves from a parking area on the south side of the road up Little Cottonwood Canyon.  If you cross the street, you will see the trailhead for Lisa Falls.  It is easy to do both hikes in one outing.  The trail to the mill ruins dips down from the road.  When the trail forks, turn left and head east up the trail to the mill ruins.

View from the trail.

This hike is fairly shady.  The trail is used by mountain bikers, so be aware of that as you hike.  You will have glimpses of the creek as you hike as well.

Wall on the mill-side bank of the creek.

When you reach the mill viewing area, you can perch on the wall and have a snack or some water.  If you continue on a little further up the trail, you will discover the remains of an old car.  It is an odd place to find a vehicle, and I wonder what story this pile of metal would tell!

Old car parts

View from the trail.

This is a pretty hike and is only 1.6 miles round-trip.  It is an out-and-back hike, and the parking area is located about 2.7 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon. You may park on either side of the road.  The trail is wide and easy to follow, and is not very steep.  In fact, the guide book I looked in gave this hike a net elevation loss of 170 feet!  This is a great hike to do when you are short on time.

Mill ruins in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Hiking the Timpanogos Cave Trail

American Fork Canyon

Timpanogos Cave is located up American Fork canyon.  From I-15, take Exit 287 and follow it traveling east  on UT-92 to the cave visitor's center.  You have to hike about a mile and a half up an improved trail to reach the cave entrance.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  We purchased our tickets in advance and were glad, as cave tours can sell out quickly on weekends.

Timpanogos Cave trail

The hike is a pretty steady climb, made easier with a series of switchbacks.  You will climb over 1000 feet in elevation before reaching the cave's entrance.  After listening to a safety talk by a ranger, you are allowed to begin your hike to the cave.  Tour tickets allow you between an hour and an hour and a half to make the hike.  We had no trouble making our time slot.

Tunnel on the trail

This is a really beautiful hike and has great views of American Fork canyon.  There are a couple of short "tunnels" on the trail, as well as pretty flowers and interesting rock formations.

The trail goes right through the rock.

There are benches along the way if you need to stop and rest, and there are also shady areas on the trail.  Water is only available at the visitor's center, so carry some with you on the hike.

Take a minute to enjoy the scenery!

Flowers along the way.

At the top of the trail, there is a restroom if you need it.  Also, if you are carrying a large pack, or baby/toddler backpack, there is an area to leave your items while you tour the cave.  Only small packs are allowed inside.  Timpanogos Cave is much smaller and narrower than Minnetonka Cave, for example, and you will have to squeeze through some narrow spots inside, so carry as little as possible.

Restroom at the top of the trail.

Backpack parking

If you arrive before your tour time, you will have to wait a few minutes at the top of the trail.  There are shady benches to rest on.  There are also interpretive signs pointing out fossils in the rock.

Fossils near Timpanogos Cave

Fossils from an ancient sea.

Even if you cannot get cave entrance tickets, this is a really beautiful hike.  Parking is available at  the visitor's center, with overflow parking across the street, and another small parking area a bit further up the canyon.  There is also a nice picnic area in the canyon before you reach the visitor's center.

Next up:  inside Timpanogos Cave!

Hiking to Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

Many times on the way to Delta, Utah, we have passed the sign for Paul Bunyan's woodpile.  I have often wanted to stop and check it out, but the timing was never right.  So of course, when we decided to commit and actually see the woodpile this year, the sign was gone!  Yes, we made it all the way to Delta without seeing the sign for the turn-off to the woodpile.  However, a really helpful person at the Great Basin Museum in Delta steered us in the right direction, and we were able to find the right road. 

The "woodpile" is really a geologic formation.  Formed by igneous rock, it is a remnant of volcanic activity in this area of Utah, Juab county.  These columnar joints are quite fascinating, and do look like stacked wood from the right angle!  For a more detailed description of how this unique feature may have formed, click here.  Be aware that if you decide to hike to the woodpile and see it for yourself, you will first have to drive on a  dirt road, and then hike a not-so-marked trail.  DO NOT DO THIS IN WET WEATHER!  We are guessing the sign was removed as the road and trail do not seem like they are being maintained.  Try this at your own risk.  That being said, we DID manage the road in our trusty minivan.

Sign indicating 3 miles on the dirt road

Once you locate the turn-off, however, you will see this sign indicating you are on the right road.  If you are traveling north on Highway 6 from Delta, the dirt road is about 2 miles north of the turn-off to the Little Sahara sand dunes.  It is between mile markers 125 and 126.  You will only see the back side of a stop sign on the road.  Turn east, and drive carefully on this rutted, pitted dirt road.  If you don't see the trailhead sign, you are not on the right road.

When traveling west back to the main road, you can see the stop sign.

This is the good part of the dirt road!

Trail head with woodpile in the distance.

There is a parking area at the trailhead, but absolutely no services.  Bring plenty of water.  This hike is moderate.  On the day we went, it was hot, dry, and dusty.  Go through the cattle guard "gate" to begin the trail.  We had a hard time finding the trail, at times, and often found ourselves on cow paths.  However, since you can see where you are going, you can pick your way through the winding paths and head in the right direction.

Cactus on the trail--yes, Utah is a desert!

The book I looked in said this was a one-mile hike to the woodpile.  The Utah Geological Survey site indicated that it was 1/2 mile. The book was definitely more accurate!  Definitely allow 1 to 1-1/2 hours for a round trip, especially on a hot day.

Can you see the trail?  I couldn't!

This trail is not too steep until the last part.  If you find yourself plowing through scrub oak and ducking under trees (as I did), then you have missed the spot where a tree crosses the water and leads you to the real trail and switchbacks that go up to the woodpile.  My group did not find the switchbacks until they were on top of the woodpile.  However, the one advantage to scrambling up on your own is finding a wonderful little window that is not visible from the real trail.

The woodpile as seen from the trail.

The "window" at the top.

Overall, I am really glad I saw this geologic formation.  If I ever go back, I would choose a cooler day.

Igneous rock formations at Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

IF YOU GO: from Salt Lake City, head south on I-15, and then turn west on Highway 6 toward Eureka.  Stay on Highway 6 and look for the dirt road heading east between mile marker 125 and 126.  Follow the dirt road for 3 miles to the trailhead.

We saw this deer from the dirt road.

We didn't really encounter any cows on this trail, but we did see a deer as we headed back on the dirt road to Highway 6.

Winkolina at Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

Overall, it was a good hike with good company, even if we did it during a really hot part of the day!  Utah has many unique and wonderful geologic features, and I was glad to explore this one!

Hiking to Lisa Falls

Lisa Falls - Little Cottonwood Canyon

This little waterfall is only about a tenth of a mile off the road in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It is secluded enough, and far enough off the highway that it is a welcome escape.  The last part of the trail is a scramble over rocks in the stream bed.  It may be wet in the spring, but is dry in late summer and fall.  The water flows down smooth granite, giving off a cool and refreshing spray.

Lisa Falls

To the right of the falls, climbing anchors are embedded in the granite walls.  Obviously, this is used as a climbing site, but no one else has been there the times I have visited the falls.  There are large boulders and flat areas that beg to be a picnic site.  One of these times I am going to remember to bring lunch!

Lisa Falls is definitely worth a look and the short trail makes it accessible to many types of hikers.  It can get steep in places, and the rocks can be slippery, but it is a short walk.

The falls are a great destination for all ages.

The trailhead is about 2.7 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon (Utah hwy. 210).  There is parking on either side of the road.  The north side is the trail for Lisa Falls, while the south side is the Little Cottonwood Trail. There are no facilities here. 

Hiking the Nebo Bench Trail

Mt. Nebo, Utah

The Nebo Bench Trail is located on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway in Utah.  It is quite a lengthy trail, and we opted to just do part of the trail as an out-and-back hike.  We visited in mid-August.  The scenery on this trail is stunning, but the trail was not well-maintained.  That may be due to the high snowpack this year, which caused many high-country areas to remain closed until late July.  I wondered if perhaps people who normally clear trails had not been able to this year.

Sign marking the trail.

My guide for this hike was Best Hikes With Children in Utah, which suggested a turnaround point about 3.4 miles in.  We opted to turn back earlier.  This hike begins at an altitude of about 9300 feet.  I felt the altitude! However, the trail has gradual ups and downs, and relatively flat sections in the early going, so it wasn't too bad.

Early in the hike, the trail crosses beautiful meadows.

One unusual thing about hiking this area was running across cows.  We didn't see anything but the piles they had left behind hiking in, but on the way out, we encountered bovines.

Beginning of the trail

ONE big tree had been cleared at the beginning of the trail, but there were places on this hike where we had to duck under branches, climb over trees, or sometimes follow a faint trail around the blockage and then return to the main trail.

Where's the trail?

Despite the small setbacks, this was a pretty hike.  Sometimes the trail goes through groves of aspen, and other times it crosses meadows of wildflowers. 

Aspen trees on the Nebo Bench Trail

Wildflowers add some color to the slopes.

We had to hike in a couple miles to get views of Mt. Nebo, but it was well worth it.  We turned back before the trail turned steadily up hill.

The trail crosses a dry stream bed.

Mt. Nebo from the Nebo Bench Trail

I love wildflowers, and there were several varieties in bloom.  We spotted bluebells, lupine, columbine, forget-me-nots, and more.

Bluebells

Columbine

Forget-me-not

Flowers on the Nebo Bench Trail

Bumblebee checks out the lupine.

If you get a chance to drive the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway between Payson and Nephi, Utah, stop and see some of the sights.  We thoroughly enjoyed doing a small part of the Nebo Bench Trail, and also enjoyed our visit to Devil's Kitchen.

IF YOU GO:  Take I-15 to Nephi, Utah, then take exit 225 onto UT-132 (heading east).  After about 6 miles, turn left on the Nebo Loop and follow it for about 12 miles to the trailhead.  There are vault toilets at the trailhead, but no water.  There is ample parking in the lot.