July 3, 2026 Hickman Bridge

 Hickman Bridge

Capitol Reef

hikers: 3

distance: 1.73 miles

elevation gain: 421 feet

After all the days activities, including the Cassidy Arch Trail and a drive to the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon, we used the cooler evening to hike to Hickman Bridge. Evenings are a good time to hike.

This is the beginning of the trail. Thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), all those decades ago, for the work they did. There are also stairs on the trail that they built.

Here is the Hickman Arch. I didn't take any pictures in between! 

At this point we could see it was getting dark so there was no lollygagging on the way back.

This is one of the kid friendly hikes at Capitol Reef.

The top pink line is the Hickman Bridge hike.

July 3, 2026 Cassidy Arch

 Cassidy Arch

Capitol Reef

hikers: 3

distance: 3 miles

elevation gain: 662

moderately challenging according to all trails. It's not that long but there is no shade. Not a good hike for young kids.

Even though we have been to Capitol Reef before we haven't done this hike. Maybe because it is a more challenging hike. But I'm glad we did it. There is no shade so you should start early. There were a lot of people on the trail. As you will see, you are hiking across rock.

We started at the end of the Grand Wash Road and 

went a little ways on the Grand Wash Trail to the trailhead.

Grand Wash

Lots of stairs help with the elevation gain on this trail.

You can see the arch in the distance.

Getting closer to Cassidy Arch, named after Butch Cassidy. 

The trail goes around to the back, where you are close to the arch.

We're there.

It is a popular place for rappelling. 

In the top photo there is someone rappelling on the left.

 In the bottom photo there is someone on top.

Good hike. Start early.

July 2, 2026 Capitol Reef Petroglyphs

 Capitol Reef Petroglyphs

hikers: 3

distance: maybe a couple of miles

elevation gain: it was mostly flat with some ups and downs

After arriving at Capitol Reef and meeting up with Seth at our campground, he took us on a hike to see some petroglyphs. We took the Scenic Road to the Capitol Gorge Road. Then we went on the Pleasant Creek Road, which is not paved. Eventually we passed some old horse corrals and buildings. You could start hiking there but we went on a little ways to Pleasant Creek. There is parking and an outhouse. The road continues through the creek and on the other side but this is where we stopped because the hike we were going on started here. 

The Pleasant Creek road is still a fairly good road, dirt and bumps and all, but I don't think we would have gone on it in our car. You could take a car but high clearance is recommended and we were in the Highlander. We did not go through the creek. Maybe we could have. The road on the other side of the creek is the South Draw Road and the map says it is extremely rough, unmaintained; high clearance and four wheel drive required. 

Seth had found this hike as it is not listed on the general park map. He is a good one to explore with.

Pleasant Creek is aptly named.

We saw a lot of these cute little guys.

We continued on along the creek and crossed it at one point. I was hard to tell where the trail was. After hiking awhile we saw the fence across the creek and near the rocks. We knew that was the petroglyphs. We crossed back over the creek and through the brush to get to them. 

Mark and Seth went a little further. There are more petroglyphs in the area but they are not marked and we ended our hike here.

 

We started hiking back on a different trail but the trails are not well worn or well marked and we soon lost it. So we hiked back off trail and headed towards a field station that was up on a hill. This off trail hiking reminded me that Ethan and Jacob will soon be hiking off trail in Alaska! Only they won't have a field station to guide them. 

We ended up at the old horse coral and walked back to the car. 

We didn't see any other people and we were the only car in the parking lot. This was a really fun hike and I'm glad that Seth found it for us. 

June 25, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge  #13

hikers: 2

distance: 2 miles

elevation gain: 439 feet

Here is a view of the valley at 8:21am on one of the longest days of the year. The valley is bathed in sunlight but the bridge is still in the shade as the sun comes up.

On our way down we noticed this interesting fence post! I don't know how long it has been here but it is actually sprouting a new green branch!!! We talked to someone who was walking by and he thought it was some kind of elm. Even an old fence post has life in it and can grow.

June 20, 2026 Hiking Club at Willow Lake

 Nana & Grandpa's Hiking Club

Willow Lake

Big Cottonwood Canyon

hikers: 6 bigs & 9 littles

distance: 2 miles, out and back

elevation gain:  600 feet

Here is a little map of where we went. Strava didn't get it all so I drew it on with a purple line! We parked along Big Cottonwood Road and hiked to the lake. This is the longest hike we have ever done and the kids did great. But, when we got to the lake they didn't want to go further so we didn't go around the lake.

This is where the trail begins.

This is the trail. Uphill incline all the way. So pretty and shady in this area.

We were almost there when we saw a moose!

I didn't even take a picture of the lake, or pond 

was more like it. But you can see the reflections!

We saw lots of wildflowers on our hike. That's what 

we were on the lookout for and we were identifying them.

Wild rose

leafy Jacob's Ladder

mountain bluebells

wild geranium or cranesbill

ragwort

And a reward for all the hikers. Thanks to Landon. Who wasn't even here to get it.

June 19, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge  #12

hikers: 2

distance:  2.03 miles

elevation gain:  439 feet

My usual photo of the bridge and the mountain from near the top of Ralph's trail. It's green and beautiful on the mountain and the weeds are turning straw colored and drying out.

Checking on the formerly abandoned house to see how it's coming along.

Saturday, June 13, 2026 Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge #11

from Hidden Valley Park

hikers: 2

distance: 3.27 miles

elevation gain: 348 feet

    The trail from Hidden Valley Park is longer, but not as much elevation gain. It is a nice and enjoyable trail. Here is what it looked like on strava.

We parked at Hidden Valley Park and started at this sign near the corner of the parking lot.

There is a paved trail. There are also other ways to walk through the park and get on the trail.  

Eventually you get on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

This was a pretty part of the trail.

This is an access road that goes to some kind of water facility.

The Bonneville Shoreline trail goes down from this road.

Crosses a bridge over Little Willow Creek,

and goes up.

This is a rocky tail. There are some bikes.

Lots of views of the Valley since you are on the side of the mountain.

These rocks are my favorite part of this trail. You walk between them.

We saw a paraglider.

You can see the bridge ahead. Almost there.

A view looking down at the water from the bridge. 

From the Hidden Valley Park trailhead you stay on the Bonneville Shoreline trail. From the Orson Smith Park you do the Bridge Loop.

This was a good switchup from our usual hike. 

It takes a little more time but is not as steep and very pleasant.