Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument - August 22, 2004 (Re-run)

 The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was born in 1996 amid political controversy that has continued since that time.  It is the largest national monument at 1.9 million acres, larger than the state of Delaware, and was the first to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management.  Previously, all national monuments were the responsibility of the National Park Service, which seemed unwilling to add this park without funding.  Its designation did not add any outdoor recreational opportunities, but did prohibit any development of natural resources.

The land within this monument is some of the most rugged, yet spectacularly beautiful, in all the country.  It is a mecca for hiking, canyoneering, mountain biking, rock climbing, off-roading and certainly photography.  Its countless canyons and cliffs are colorful and challenging.  Most roads in the park are unpaved and likely to stay that way.  BLM apparently feels they have no responsibility to improve or even maintain existing roads, and have a history of closing roads, in many cases through inappropriate practices, making it more difficult to access certain features.  Counties themselves, who gain revenue through tourism, have often graded roads to improve accessibility.

On this occasion, I did a quick tour of a small section of the park during my Capitol Reef visit.  I've been back several times since, but have barely scratched the surface of what is available.  

Capitol Reef National Park - August 22-24, 2004 Part 2 (Re-run)

 The Mormon pioneers who settled the area now occupied by Capitol Reef National Park formed several communities, but the most noteworthy was known as Fruita due to the orchards that were established there.  One of the early homes was built in 1908 and was occupied by several families until 1969, when it was acquired by the Park Service.  It's known as the Gifford House because that family lived there for the last 41 years it was privately owned.  There were other buildings, such as the barn, smokehouse, outhouse, etc.

 

The scenic drive through Fruita is non-stop red rock cliffs and colorful formations.

Numerous slot canyons cross the Waterpocket Fold and most of them can be hiked.  One, known as Capitol Gorge, was actually the main route through the area until Highway 24 was built in 1964.  As much as thirty feet wide, it would easily accommodate the wagons in use back in the day.  The canyon contains Indian petroglyphs, early pioneer inscriptions and potholes that retain water that saved many a traveler from dying of thirst.