Episode 4: Capitol Reef, Burr Trail, Hwy 12 Filmed May 27-28 2023

The Reef refers to the nearly 100 mile long water pocket fold that defines the landscape in the park. The first paved road to cross the reef wasn't built until 1962.

We stayed at Sleepy Hollow Campground which is an excellent launching off point to visit the remote northern Section of Capitol Reef National Park. This area is known as Cathedral Valley. The park suggests you do the loop road counter clockwise because there's a water crossing at the beginning of the route. This is to deter visitors from getting almost to the end of the loop if they did it clockwise and not being able to cross the obstacle. While Gary and I did not tackle this route, you can see a little of what this route has to offer over on the Bound for Nowhere channel.

The Visitor Center is located in Fruita. We had the misfortune of experiencing part of Capitol Reef during Memorial Day Weekend, we knew it was going to be bad, but knowing it's going to be bad is always different than living it, so we got our info from the busy visitor center and hurried off to the less busy south section of the park with our eyes set on Burr Trail.

There was a few moments of sandy surprise but nothing terrible even for loaded bikes.

Once you finish the Switchbacks you're greeted soon with pavement which leads through the a beautiful canyon.

Burr Trail then ends in Boulder, UT which is also home to Hell's Backbone Grill and Farm. I tried to visit this place back in 2021 with Ride to Food, but unfortunatley they were closed. This time I made reservations a month before our arrival to make certain Gary and I would get an opportunity to eat here.

I had the Braised Beef and Gary had the Enchiladas, the food was incredible. Well worth the hefty price tag for some incredible Farm to Table food.

The ride back to Escalante in the dark was worth it.

We got the last room at the Cowboy Country Inn, in Escalante UT and it was also one of the most affordable options in the area.