Figure 1. Grand Wash, Capitol Reef National Park.
Capitol Reef National Park is one of the Might Five national parks in southern Utah. Although I visited this park several years ago, I didn't spend much time exploring it then. On a recent visit, I stayed three nights in the nearby town and committed myself all these days in this park.
In addition to scenic drive, hiking is a better way to explore the park and get intimate experience. I usually found the park more interesting after I have done some hikes. This park is no exception.
Grand Wash is one of the hikes I have taken during this visit. In some way, it is very similar to the Narrows in Zion National Park, except there is no water on this trail. You are in a canyon carved by flash flood. The towering canyon walls provides not only the thrills, but also comfortable shade in the heat of summer.
The round trip of this trail is only 5 miles. It is flat and with shade most of the time. This is probably one of the easiest trails in summer as other trails don't have much shade to offer. I highly recommend.
