1st June 2025

It was another ‘first’ today as we decided to hike to Cassidy Arch (named after Butch Cassidy who had a hide out here) in Capitol Reef National Park. This was a ‘first’ and believe me, there is never, ever, going to be a ‘second’! 🙂‍↔️

After we ate a quick breakfast, we set out at 8.00 a.m., it was 73ºF (23ºC) so it was already starting to get warm. 🌞

When we arrived at the trail head the car park nearly full but we managed to get one of the last two spaces and off we went! 🥾

We walked down into Grand Wash and after about a quarter of a mile we realised, even though we were following AllTrails, that we had missed the sign telling us where the Trail Head was to start the hike to Cassidy Arch. Along with another family who had done the same as us, we retraced our steps and realised a huge bush was covering up the sign! Lesson learned here, always keep your eyes on the AllTrails map on the phone! 😉

According to AllTrails and Strava, (an internet service for tracking physical exercise which incorporates social network features) the elevation gain is between 685 and 1058 feet and the hike is classed as strenuous. This is the map showing how steep the climb is!

The first half mile is really vertical and to quote a previous hiker “kicks butt!” I was ready to turn around at that point but Si wouldn’t let me so we trudged on to the summit.The trail was very steep and rocky and some of the stone very slick. There was some shade but not a lot but I have to say it was well worth the agony in the end. The views were magnificent. 👏

I told Si it was reckless!!! 😂🤷‍♀️

We joined a lot of other people at the summit with some choosing to walk out and stand in the middle of the arch. It looks very thin but in fact you could probably drive a car over it.

Hooray, we made it! 👏👏👏The summit at last! 😊!

As we hiked down there were lots of people hiking up even though it was midday, the temperature extremely hot and dark clouds were starting to gather! If you read the blog yesterday you’ll know about rain and thunderstorms! We had checked the weather forecast before we left and there was no mention of rain, but you never can tell. It changes quickly. 🌞⛈⚡️

At one point, we passed a family hiking up and the father was carrying a small baby! How he was going to manage, scrambling up and over rocks and boulders goodness only knows. People can be so silly at times. 😔

We also met a Volunteer Ranger hiking up, and we told him so that he was aware that a situation could occur, especially if they were not carrying enough water. 💧

Sand on the way down! This photo reminds us of 2013!!

The hat I’m wearing says GRITS on the front ……………. but in this case it’s not the kind you eat (Grits are a type of coarsely ground, dried corn that’s a staple in Southern U.S. cuisine). It stands for ‘Girls raised in the South’! That’s right, I was, but not southern USA 🇺🇸but southern UK! 🇬🇧 😉

It was a great hike but what a relief to get back to the car! We were covered from head to foot in red dust.

The hike took 3 hours 19 minutes and we covered a distance of 4.20 miles.

When we left there were loads of cars trying to find somewhere to park so what do they do? Why, park where it specifically says “No Parking” of course.🤷‍♀️ They don’t give any thought to the fact that if the emergency services need to get down there, there won’t be enough space for them to get passed the parked vehicle!! 😟

I think we deserve a large glass of something 🍹🍺for our efforts today so you can be sure we shall indulge at dinner!

Tomorrow is our last full day here but we haven’t decided yet what we should do. I definitely do not see a hike of any kind on the cards that’s for sure! 😂

Please join us again tomorrow to see what adventures the day brings.