Believe it or not, summer is slowly fading into the rearview, and now is the ideal time of year to make some tracks in the desert. Capitol Reef National Park is a great choice for early fall hiking, as the park’s higher elevations mean sure-fire cool temperatures. I’ve sung the praises of Capitol Reef numerous times, and about the only knock against it is the lack of longer front country hikes. Many of the popular day hikes in the Reef are a few miles at most. These brief treks are perfect for families and casual tourists, but not enough to get my blood pumping. Don’t despair, though, as it’s easy to combine several of these short hikes into longer routes that are brimming with amazing scenery.
In order to get maximum mileage out of our day hike, my buddies and I decided to combine the Cohab Canyon, Frying Pan, Cassidy Arch and Grand Wash trails. We stashed a car at the Grand Wash Trailhead along Highway 24, and then parked our second vehicle at the Hickman Bridge Trailhead. We started up the steep route for Cohab Canyon, and plodded along until we reached the signed junction for Frying Pan trail. It’s not easy going up the Frying Pan. From the junction with Cohab Canyon, it’s a 960′ climb on slickrock that’s fully exposed to the sun. It’s no wonder how this trail earned its name. All the sweat is worth it, as Frying Pan travels through some amazing geological features and outstanding red rock scenery. This is truly gorgeous country.
Frying Pan trail eventually descends, and before long hikers will see the sign for Cassidy Arch. I highly recommend adding this mileage to your route, as Cassidy is one of the more unique arches I’ve had the pleasure of viewing. You won’t see the feature until you’re right on top of it, and my first view elicited an audible gasp. Enjoy the arch and the endless views, then head back the way you came and take the Cassidy Arch trail to the bottom. It’s a 670′, quad-burning hike to the bottom of Grand Wash, which is the final leg of the journey.
From the Grand Wash Road trailhead, simply follow the stream bed as it bends its way around high, sheer canyon walls. The hike is mellow, and descends 200′ over 2.5 miles as you trek towards Highway 24. The Grand Wash lives up to its name, showcasing outstanding cliffs and walls, and occasionally displaying evidence of powerful flash floods. We took our time, dozed in the shade, and finally arrived back at our stash vehicle. Thanks to linking these four trails we were able to cover 7 miles with about 1,000′ of elevation. Not bad for the front country! The best time of year for this hike is spring and fall because of the constant exposure to sun. There’s nowhere to hide in the Frying Pan, but is sure is pretty out there!