Regional Activities
Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.
Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.
Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.
Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.
Hello ParkLover. Great question! Eruptions often occur about 90 minutes apart all day every day, but can range from 45 to 125 minutes without much warning. All predictions are made using a formula that takes into account the length of the previous eruption. The formula which is completed by the National Park Service has proven to be accurate, plus or minus 10 minutes, 90% of the time. The prediction information is only posted during the open-hours of the Old Faithful Visitor Center and uses the length of the previous eruption to predict the time of the next eruption.
The NPS has put up a "webcam" so you can try to catch a glimpse of the eruptions as they happen at home. But you really need to be there in person to experience the wonder!
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm
Is there a way to turn these hash and trash people that leave there garbage behind?
Is there a reward?
Maybe this will help stop this?
I refer to all national forests and parks.
Leave No Trace! (www.lnt.org)
Everything you and the parks need to know... Thanks for helping out!
