Capitol Reef Backpacking Ideas for May

[Polvalt]

We are looking to get out of town for a couple of days in May and have never been to Capitol Reef. We want to do some backpacking for 2-3 days and 2 nights. Does anyone have any ideas? We are fairly experienced backpackers but mostly on well known trails and we do tend to rely on a GPS for navigation (my map reading skills really need some work). Looking to do 10-13 miles per day.

[mattandersao]

Muley Twist Canyon, Halls Creek are two that come to mind...I havent done either of them but they are on my "list"

[powderglut]

The Muley Twists are pretty sweet. Upper Muley has quite a few arches. Park at the Strike Valley Overlook. Set your camp up canyon, a ways, and then you can explore up on the rim formations or hike in the canyon. Lot's to see in 2-3 days.

Or.....Lower Muley, You could park your car at the Post, get a shuttle ride back up, then start your hike at the upper road. Walk the lower canyon in 2-3 days, back to your car at the Post. Less arches to see but you would get to hike out of the twisting canyon and over and thru the formation. Easier hiking in the lower canyon, due to less water holes to go around. Hard to pick between them. 1st 3 pics Upper
Bottom 3 pics Lower
Sheesh, you could set up camp between them, and do big day hikes on both. I like that one. Cold beverages at your camp!

[accadacca]

The Muley Twists are pretty sweet. Upper Muley has quite a few arches. Park at the Strike Valley Overlook. Set your camp up canyon, a ways, and then you can explore up on the rim formations or hike in the canyon. Lot's to see in 2-3 days.

Or.....Lower Muley, You could park your car at the Post, get a shuttle ride back up, then start your hike at the upper road. Walk the lower canyon in 2-3 days, back to your car at the Post. Less arches to see but you would get to hike out of the twisting canyon and over and thru the formation. Easier hiking in the lower canyon, due to less water holes to go around. Hard to pick between them. 1st 3 pics Upper
Bottom 3 pics Lower
Sheesh, you could set up camp between them, and do big day hikes on both. I like that one. Cold beverages at your camp!

Wow! Thanks for posting. Looks awesome!!

[hike.higher]

I planned to do upper Muley Twist as an over-nighter a few years ago, but we ended up car camping at calf creek and then day hiking it. Made for a full day, but was fun and easily doable with plenty of time to explore the arches and narrow slot at the end. The hike back along the top of the water-pocket fold was pretty amazing too.

It would be a fun overnighter, that could be arranged as a lolli-pop so you don't have to carry all your gear the full loop.

Its only about 10 miles though, so shorter than you had planned.

[Polvalt]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like we'll be hitting Upper Muley (1 night) and then heading down to Little Death Hollow canyon and back up Wolverine (1 night). Does anyone know what the Burr Trail road is like these days? What about wolverine loop road? Is it doable with a passenger car?

[Wasatch]

Upper Muley Twist is a nice overnight'er.

[powderglut]

Burr trail rd is in great shape. The dirt parts in the park are totally 2wd. The rest into Boulder is paved. as of a week ago.
I haven't been down the Wolverine loop so can't give you any current road report. Sometimes the rangers at the Escalante GSENM office have a recent report.

[Polvalt]

Thanks for the info, we'll check at the GSENM office on our way through...