March 5 - Hickman Bridge & Cohab Canyon (Capitol Reef)

Sunny day with temps at 30 degrees (and windy) when I start off a bit after 8am. Heading to Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles) this morning with  possible extension to the Rim Overlook; they share the lead-in trail.

When I get to the trail is 6-7 degrees warmer but not quite 40 degrees. There are 3 other cars in the lot. An elderly guy starts a bit ahead of me. It's a beautiful morning.


The trail follows the creek for a short bit before starting uphill with bunches of steps. This is the majority of the 400 ft elevation gain. The views are so wonderful!

A downward hiker passes me not soon after I start. And I pass the elderly guy at some point. I stop to have a brief chat with him and hey, he's from the South Bend area!!

I continue upward. Eventually the trail "flattens" and heads thru a wash.

Finally the Hickman Bridge is in sight!

And a couple who have about reached the Bridge.

I reach the Bridge and they are taking pictures. We share the bridge for photos.



Such a wonderful sight -- wish I knew why this was a Bridge and not an Arch.

Time to complete the loop

and head back towards the intersection with the Rim Overlook trail. I debate continuing on and decide I'll continue to the viewpoint for the Hickman Bridge.

The trail is a mix of slickrock and dirt. 

Hey, I find a lizard.

In probably 1/2 mile or so, I arrive at the viewpoint looking down on the Bridge.

I stop for a little rest before heading back to my car. 


Good hikes!!

Time for Cohab Canyon (1.2 miles - 440 ft). I'm not walking the whole canyon just to the Fruita Overlook - it's about 0.6 of mile from the Canyon entrance.

I drive back to the Visitor's entrance and then into Fruita. The parking is across from the campground. There's only 2 cars there. Time to begin a series of switchbacks to climb the 440 ft (in about 0.7miles) to the canyon entrance.

Yes, I have to go uphill to reach a canyon - love it!

And the views as I climb are incredible especially with the snow in the distance. 

And the better they get the higher I go.

Before long, I reach the entrance 

and head in.

Absolutely, love this canyon. The colors, the formations, the holes in the rocks. It's a must see!!

Along the way, I find the lower portion of a deer leg, with fur. Is the a mountain lion in the house?

I finally reach the red/white slickrock (and the dick).

I cross and head just a bit farther when I see the trail (uphill) to the Fruita Overlook). Again the views down canyon are incredible!

And back where I came from.

Before long, I reach the top. It's grassy and the rock formations are in front of me. 

There are 2 ways to go, to the north viewpoint or south. I go north, it's prettier by far!

I take a short break there.

I decide to not go south - I've been there before; it looks down past Fruita - it's gorgeous but not without trucks and stuff.

Time to head back passing my lizard which is surprising still there 10 years later after I first spotted it on my group trip here.


And once at the entrance, time to head down and back to my car.

I hungry now, so I head to a picnic area. Sitting at the picnic table, I spot a herd of at least 7 deer on the other side of the stream. Love it!

It's still earlier but I'm tired. I decide to head farther down the Scenic Drive to the Grand Wash. This is where Cassidy Arch is. I want to see if I can see it from the road.

I start down the roaduntil I reach the Wash. I head up the dirt road stopping briefly at some old uranium mines.


Continuing on, I reach a sign pointing up for a view of Cassidy Arch but I don't see it.

 I continue to the parking lot, turn around and head back

Once again, I stop looking for the Arch but nothing :(

Time to head back to the hotel for a nap :)

Good day!

---------------

Saturday drive back to Salt Lake was wonderful. I've never taken the drive west on Hwy 24 when there's still snow on the ground at the 7000-8000 ft. Not feet of snow but just enough. And the actual mountains - awesome!

I know this is a good area for deer; I've seen them myself on prior trips especially west of the Koorasham Reservoir.

And today's no different. I see a lone deer on the north side of the road and several miles farther, I have to slam on my brakes for a deer slowly crossing the road. His buddies, well they've already crossed (10+).

Oh, I can't forget the 2 Sandhill Cranes I see in a field with some Canadian Geese not all that far out Torrey/Loa.

Nice wrap-up drive for a wonderful and well needed get-away!

Now back to "real" life; need to hang onto this moment. :)


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