Navajo Knobs

The Navajo Knobs trail was the main reason we decided to visit Capitol Reef National Park . . . and it certainly didn't disappoint!  The trail ascends a series of slickrock benches to the Rim Overlook where we peered down on the Fruita Orchards.  From here we continued to the sandstone domes known as the Navajo Knobs and the end-of-the-trail.  At the summit we were treated to 360-degree views of the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains - another of our memorable hikes from years past!

The trail to the Navajo Knobs begins at the Hickman Bridge trailhead

After following the Fremont River for a short distance, the trail switchbacks up to a 
white sandstone layer, where Hickman Bridge is located

Shortly, after reaching the top of the switchbacks, we came to the Navajo Knobs trail

The Hickman Bridge Overlook is a short walk of about half a mile past this junction . . .
It was nice that we were able to see the Bridge without having to add an extra 1.5 miles (r/t) to our hike!

After viewing Hickman Bridge we walked sandstone ramps as we made our way towards the Rim Overlook

While it is never particularly steep, it does maintain a consistent uphill pitch for the entirety of the hike

After 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and two-miles of hiking, we reached the Rim Overlook

It was fun to look down on the Fruita Orchards as we took a much needed break

Then it was back to more sandstone ramps

Finally, we were able to see our destination . . . as you can see, we've still got a long way to go!
This picture also illustrates the incline of the trail we mentioned earlier

Looking down on the rock formation known as "The Castle"

A typical section of the trail . . .
It was kind of like being in "no man's land" . . . always walking a sandstone shelf positioned between cliffs

Working around a drainage to get to the next layer of sandstone

We're getting closer!

Finally, the Knobs come into view . . . I believe we're going to make it!

We're suppose to be able to stand on the very top . . . 
The trail wraps around the bottom of the formation towards the trees on the right . . .
Maybe we can get up over there??

Ah, yes, this looks like a route to the top

Views become expansive as we neared the summit

While not technically the top, Kent was content on waiting for Allison to scramble to the true summit

Allison made it!
Looking back along the Waterpocket Fold (that was our path) and in the valley below is the Visitor Center

Allison finally convinced Kent that it wasn't too bad on top, so he joined her
(The top could probably hold five people at once)

After a half hour rest, it was time to begin the long trek back

At least it was all downhill!
It was interesting to see the rock formations from another view . . . this one is known as "The Stegosaur"

A beautiful shot of the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains . . .
This picture shows the impressive fold in the earth's crust that goes on for a hundred miles!

Hey, there's Fern's Nipple (right of center) that we saw from Cassidy Arch

Almost back to the intersection with the Hickman Bridge trail

On our way back to Torrey we stopped to take this picture, the arrow points to the Knobs
. . . it really puts things into perspective!
(You can also see "The Castle" right of center)

Here's a Google Earth shot of our route and the highlights we experienced along the way
(Click on the picture for an enlarged view)

Wow, what a great hike!  Needless to say, but we were tired after this one!  Most trail guides say that this is a 9.5 mile (r/t) hike with around 1,600 ft of elevation gain.  While we found the mileage to be correct, the ascent was closer to 2,100 ft and total elevation to be around 2,500 ft.  What's truly amazing is that we gained all this elevation over 4.5 miles without ever using a single switchback!  For a detailed route description and topo maps, click here for a post by Andrew Wojtanik that he did when he visited Capitol Reef National Park.