Cathedral Valley Loop, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Your Cathedral Valley Loop driving adventure starts at mile marker 91 on Highway 24, when you leave the pavement behind and cross the Fremont River.  You will definitely need 4x4 and high clearance to drive the Cathedral Valley Loop, and the Fremont River crossing is one of the reasons why.  The ford is usually passable, but may be impassable during spring runoff or after a big rain storm. Water levels are usually 8-16 inches deep.  When you enter the ford, turn immediately right. Stay on the right half of the river, which is usually shallower. In about 100 feet, make a sharp left onto the bank. 

After about 3 miles, the landscape opens up to a valley known as Blue Flats. If you look at the rocks around the valley, you'll notice the layers are tilted. Geologists call this a syncline, and it's the same phenomenon that created the Waterpocket Fold for which Capitol Reef National Park is famous.

You'll know you've arrived at the junction of Hartnet Road and BLM Road 0826 when you see the rusted out drilling truck. Ranchers created this artificial oasis as a water supply for their cattle. Don't drink this water, though - it's untreated. 

The Bentonite Hills are one of our favorite geologic wonders of Capitol Reef National Park because of their colorful stripes. You can think of these as Utah's very own rainbow hills.  Geologically, what you're looking at here is the Brushy Basin Layer of the Morrison Formation. What this means is that this clay soil originated from volcanic ash mud about 150 million years ago.  The Bentonite clay becomes very sticky and goopy when wet, making travel on foot or by car basically impossible. So, you should avoid the Bentonite Hills when wet or stormy weather is forecasted. 

The Lower South Desert Overlook is reached by a very short walk from the parking area, which is located on a 1.2 mile-long spur road. The hike is about a half mile round trip to a scenic view over the South Desert.  To the west, you'll see Jailhouse Rock, a large Entrada Sandstone monolith, which, for perspective, is standing about 520 feet above the valley floor. 

You may notice a trickle of water around this area. This is Ackland Spring, a rare source of water in the area. This was also an area where cattle access drinking water, but again, you shouldn't drink it without purification. 

Another short spur road leads to a parking area and trailhead for a half-mile round trip walk to the Upper South Desert Overlook. At this overlook, you will see the same valley you saw at the Lower South Desert Overlook (Mile 15), but from a different direction and vantage point.