We are halfway through our Rock Hounding and Capitol Reef Loop when we decide to stop off at the visitor center for the national park. Visitor centers are a wealth of information for our national park system, but unfortunately, they provide only necessary tourist information. For detailed beta on backcountry adventures, the internet is the place to go. The internet provides valuable information for back country adventures. But has done a disservice in delivering that information to a large group on unprepared people who both destroy our back country through graffiti, and often need to receive assistance from Search and Rescue straining many county budgets to their limits. One canyoneering club has gone so far as to request it’s members to use their private group to publish trip reports instead of making them available to the general public.

Today is my first visit to Capitol Reef in many years, and I m excited to pick up even the ssential information to start a file of maps for the area. It takes many visits to an area to gain an appreciation for the beauty and dangers of the area’s unique backcountry. We decided to make a quick hike to Hickman Bridge. The Hickman Bridge Trailhead information sign indicated a short .6 mile (one way) hike to the bridge with a gain of approx. 400 feet in elevation. The trailhead serves another trail leading to the Rim Overlook and the Navajo Knobs. Four and ten miles is too long for our purpose today, but I make a mental note that the Navajo Knobs are on my peak baggers list as possible peaks to climb someday.

The trail starts out hiking along the river at the base of sandstone cliffs carved by the river over time. The path is angling up a rugged break in the cliff face to arrive on top. Steps are cut into sections of the rock to make hiking more accessible as the trail is steep and rugged in these sections.

We soon arrive on the upper portion of the cliff band and begin a leisurely walk along dry wash beds toward the arch. Many natural windows and arches exist in the area as the soft layers of sandstone are washed away, leaving harder layers to span the wash.

This country is extremely rugged, and I am looking forward to getting to know it well enough to leave the main trails and explore some of its backcountries.

The short hike rewards with a view of Hickman Bridge. It is a stunning stand-alone arch and, we spend a significant amount of time walking around and under the arch.

Our trip today is a spur of the moment day trip, and we are a long way from home, but I sure am glad we took the time for this short hike. Hiking back toward the car, I am mesmerized by the sheer amount of Slickrock hiking (my favorite) available in the area.