5/15/08 Capitol Dome

When they were naming this area, Capitol Reef, it was because this outcropping of huge rocks was a barrier to travel west, and the rocks, like this one, reminded early explorers of the Capitol building in Washington. This is aptly named Capitol Dome.



We set out to just take a picture of the dome, but got swept up in another hike up into the steep canyon towards Hickman's Natural Bridge.



Here we are at the natural bridge, but it may be hard to see with such a similar background.



We met up with a group of geologists working for the oil industry on a tour led by three professors from BYU. They graciously let us tag along with them as they stopped and described various features of the landscape. One of the geologists said that Capitol Reef was the closest thing to heaven for geologists.


Sunset from our campsite. You don't see that kind of view every day. That is the moon rising over the rock formation.