This past spring, I took the long way home from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, along the Burr Trail and through Capitol Reef National Park. Having not been too impressed with Capitol Reef in the past, that drive completely changed my mind and really sparked my interest in returning to explore on one of my photography-focused weekend missions.

Capitol Reef National Park offers more geological variety than any other park on the Colorado Plateau, which itself is one of the most unique natural landscape areas in America. The park was named for the geological feature where the tectonic plates shifted and created a reef on more than 100 miles, called the Waterpocket Fold. Unless you’re flying overhead, the Waterpocket Fold is impossible to see in its entirety, but the Strike Valley Overlook, in the remote Waterpocket district of the park, offers up a close alternative. From the overlook, you can see a complete 180º view up-and-down the almost 100-mile valley. The Strike Valley overlook seemed like a good place to start…

After a couple days of mountain biking in Fruita (CO), I set out for the overlook this Fall for the start of one of my three day photography missions.

The drive through Upper Muley Twist Canyon…

Double arch along the Upper Muley Twist Canyon jeep trail to the overlook.

Upper Muley Twist Canyon jeep trail (to the overlook) & Peekaboo Arch.

The Burr Trail Switchbacks, taken to get to the Upper Muley Twist Canyon jeep trail.