CasaRoll Notes: 09/01/20

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com
Tim and Linda Bunyan

FromKodachrom Basin State Park we headed north to Torrey, Utah established in 1898, a population of 171. It is the eastern gateway city of Scenic Byway 12 and

Capitol Reef National Park.

It is known for irrigation canals that nourish cottonwood trees and a magnet for artists who come to create and spend time away from urban life.

A 38-mile loop of Scenic Bway 12 is famous for 4-wheel trails to Hell's Backbone Raod. These trails were first created as the main route for wagons traveling between Escalante and Boulder.

We see many road signs to warn of impending cattle. We have never seen one cow on or near the roadside, except now! Crossing over the top of Boulder Mountain!

This truck seems to be rounding up the cattle; keeping the traffic a safe distance as his cattle roamed across the highway back to the barn!

The drive over Boulder Mountain consisted of steep slopes and cliffs with 50,000 acres of rolling forest and meadowlands on the top. A 70 square miles, nearly flat summit, it is the highest timbered plateau in North America.

Over the years folklorists and other cultural specialists have documented the artistry of community-based storytellers, poets, musicians, and craftspeople along Scenic Byway 12.

We enter Capitol Reef National Park (signed by President Richard Nixon, established 1971)

and it appears a green oasis in the vibrant colors of the towering cliffs, massive domes, arches, bridges, and twisting canyons.

Capitol Reef's defining geologic feature is a wrinkle in Earth's crust, extending nearly 100 miles. A classic example of a monocline, or one-sided fold, in the otherwise horizontal rock layers.

The Fruita Camp Ground at Capitol Reef National Park $40.00 (Recreaton.gov) (with Senior Pass $15.00)

Ephraim P. Pecttol of Torrey thought of the "Wayne Wonderland" as a candidate for national status in 1910. Joseph H. Hickman, a member of the Utah state legislature convinced his colleagues to set aside 160 acres as a park.

Preserves geologic features, important archeological evidence, diverse plant and animal communities, and the homesteads and stories of early Mormon pioneer settlers.

From our campsite, we walk along the Freemont River to the preserved Gifford House. Home-made pies are sold here and a variety of local handicrafts. The proceeds support park-specific projects.

It is stepping back in time to visit this preserved homestead.

The green pasture is a welcome sight in this rock landscape!

Capitol Reef National Park maintains one of the largest historic orchards in the National Park Service with over 2,000 trees. The fruit is free to sample in orchards from June through October. A stroll through this historic orchard feels refreshing and

pleasing to the eye.

A walk from our campground to the Visitor Center includes artifacts from the agriculture days when the Mormon pioneers settled in this tiny valley along the Freemont River.

This is Mott Orchard, one of many orchards preserved. The fruit from the trees (now maintained by the National Park Service) is used in the fresh-bakes pies sold at the Gifford House museum,.

The Visitor Center is covid-closed. We were able to receive a map of the Fruita Area and a trail guide.

The same flood irrigation ditches the 1880 pioneers dug in the 1880s water the trees today.

The old age of these silent sentinels mark the passing of time and remain here protected by the Fruita Rural Historic District.

This is a unique National Park filled with free Ranger Programs, Fruit Trees, Historic House, Rock Nature Center, Camping/Lodging and Laundry/Showers facilities nearby.

TRAILS - The 10-mile Scenic Drive

The Mormon Trail was found between these opposing cliffs.

Here is our parking lot on our scenic driving trail.

The Waterpocket Fold (a barrier of rock that obstructed early travelers like a barrier "reef"), inspired the park's name.

Capitol Reef's defining geologic feature is a wrinkle in Earth's crust extending nearly 100 miles from here to Lake Powell, Uplist between 50 and 70 million years ago lifted the layers to the west of the fault over 7,000 feet higher than those to the east. Continued uplift occurred again some 20 million years ago. Erosion carving occurred six million years ago with water and the pull of gravity as the primary erosive force here.

The Castle and Fruita Cliffs provide panorama scenic vistas.

1896 this one-room schoolhouse played an important role. It was used by the Fruita Mormon pioneers as their Community Center, Church, and Dances, and Meetings.

I love the inside scene; set depicting the real schoolhouse classroom.

Maintained and preserved, the classroom. Kevin Hubble, how do you like the basics!

The Cooperative spirit, determination, and bond were important to the survival of the Pioneers

that lived and cultivated and traded here in this remote location. 1880's - 1945

The trail to the Petroglyphs of the 600 to 1300 BC native people of the Fremont Culture.

Their evidence is carved into the Wingate sandstone.

A living museum for families to come to see the evidence of early settlements in America....in Southwest Utah!

Freemont sites and Mormon farms still exist side by side in the Fruita Rural Historic District. This is a pair of footwear made of deer hide providing warmth, protection, and traction.

The trail is comfortably built for viewing and protection of the Petroglyphs

Settlers cultivated Squash, Beans, and Corn in this valley.

People come from many different states to witness the lives of our forefathers. This bike is house and home to father and son on a road trip from Washington state.

Tim and I choose the Hickman Bridge Trail for a 2-mile hike.

This trail takes us to high desert views, traces of prehistoric American Indian culture, and obvious the Civilian Conservation Corps' work in the early 1940s.