May 6 - Cohab Canyon (Capitol Reef)

It's an overcast morning with temps in the mid-50s. Heading to hike Cohab Canyon this morning; the final hike of my trip. I been here before on that same trip 8 years ago -- had a blast! The only differences: 1) that trip was in late Sept 2) instead of walking back out, we took the Frying Pan Trail over to Cassidy Arch. Today, it's in-n-out for me!

I set off for the trail head around 7:15am. The trail is off the Scenic Road near Fruita but before the pay station. (The road is the only part of the National Monument that costs $$$.) 

As I pass the Visitor's Center along the Scenic Road, I enter a different world. Although surrounded by rock formations, I'm in a world of green grass, trees, and lots of apple trees. It's beautiful! 

I see a herd of around 10 deer forging in the brush.

And then come upon signs warning of Marmot crossing. Seems like a strange place for Yellow-bellied Marmots - I associated them high elevation. But sure enough, I see several of them as I drive to the trail parking lot -- I like!

I enter the parking lot and there are only 2 other cars in the lot. I gear up and look up - somewhere about 400 ft above me is the entrance to Cohab Canyon.

To get there, I walk across 22 switchbacks

 with tons of lovely views down on Fruita and across the landscape.

(Park Service is creative but its very sad that they have to be.)

Soon I finish the climb and walk a flat path to the canyon entrance.

I reach the canyon entrance and look down across Fruita.

And get  my first glimpse down Cohab Canyon.

It's a little rocky for the first 50-100 feet to get down to the bottom of the canyon. Now I'm surrounded by very high rock walls. The walls are not flat but very holey.

The tree swallows are flying in-out of some of the holes.

There are lots of pines, cactus, and plant life. I find only a couple of plants actually in bloom. 

Many birds too but only sporadic singing unlike the Calf Creek or Rim Trails. I see many Cliff Swallows and a Titmouse

and who knows what else.

At one point is do hear the vibrating wings of a hummingbird but never catch sight of him.

As far as mammals, I only see a few chipmunks.

There are a couple of short side canyons which I wander up.

Soon the canyon floor widens and I can see what looks like the end (Rt 24 walls).

When it widens I enter a short slick rock portion with a single hoodoo! Pretty cool!

Once passing the hoodoo, I'm back into a narrower canyon again. Soon, there's my sign pointing up the wall to the Fruita viewpoints which are my destination. So up I go. Soon I'm looking over that Hoodoo

and then, on flat ground a top the rock formation looking at wonderful rock formations. I don't even need to go to the viewpoint but I head over for a peek.

Then I head over to the Fruita facing viewpoint about 0.2 miles away. I actually I stop short of the official viewpoint because I'm quite content with the view I have. (Besides, I looked down on Fruita all the way up the switchbacks and at the Rim Overlook yesterday).

Time to head down and then back up the canyon. I finally get a bit of blue skies!!

Great hike and trip! Time to head home.

On the way home, I see a number of animals. Besides the ewes/lambs, goats and cattle, I see two deer loitering on the right side of the road (less than 1/4 mile from a roadkill deer). I don't trust them so I slow down and it's a good thing I did, because they decide to cross the road and continue loitering over there. (Wonder if the dead deer was a buddy.)

Continuing on, I spot a huge brown bird of prey on top of a telephone pole along the road. It has to be a Golden Eagle.

Then near the Koosharem Reservoir, I see another huge brown bird sitting on a wood fence post. Wow!

Unfortunately, my good day takes a solemn turn when going down on a curvy road from a 7500 ft pass, I see police lights a head of me. I slow to a stop then crawl as I make my way around an over turn flatbed carrying hay. Hay is all over the road. Sure hope no one was killed or seriously injured. But when 3 ambulances pass me heading toward the accident it's a bit concerning..

Back on a lighter note, I pass two horses mating. Whoa!

Great day!! Great trip!