From experiencing our last two Utah national parks with their high desert landscape, I was pleasantly surprised to find our Capitol Reef campground in the middle of gorgeous trees with several fruit orchards nearby, complete with mule deer hanging out all around us. Here are a few pictures of our campground and the deer (including an awesome head photo shot by Helen.) The one with the buck staring was while Helen, Murphy and I were walking by. We decided he was not too happy with us getting near his females, so we turned around
So how do these beautiful fruit orchards grow in the middle of the high desert?
In the 1880’s, Mormons established the small settlement of Fruita at the confluence of the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek. They built irrigation systems to water the orchards and pastures and sustain a self-reliant agricultural lifestyle for decades. They had a one room schoolhouse for the children. Families tended to the apple, peach, pear, and apricot trees which are now maintained by the park service. And the best part, they sell pies! The 34 dozen (or 408 pies!) are made daily by a group of women who get up at 3 a.m. and they are delivered, still warm, to the historic Gifford House, which opens at 9 a.m. We had heard they can sell out quickly, so Greg, Helen and I were in line at 8:45 a.m. for pie. The line grew quickly and must have had 30 or more people waiting when the doors opened.
They had many varieties to choose from and are you ready? They had freshly made cinnamon rolls too! I was in heaven. For our first trip (yes, we went back for more on our departure day), I bought pumpkin, cherry, and peach pies plus a cinnamon roll. Scrumptious! Dave enjoyed the pumpkin pie with freshly whipped cream provided. I had some ice cream left over which went great with warm cherry pie. The peach pie is still in the freezer to enjoy later. Oh, and yes, the cinnamon roll (especially the yummy cream cheese frosting) was a big hit. Greg & Helen also enjoyed the homemade pies and of course, sampled a cinnamon roll.
On our departure day, we went back for more and I ended up being first in line!
There is a barn with 3 horses, next to the campground and in front of the Gifford House. Terri (a good friend from St. Pete) said the barn and surrounding cliffs look great at sunset, so Helen and I went out and took a few pictures. Gorgeous! Thanks for the tip, Terri!
The park has also kept a blacksmith shop and the one room schoolhouse used by the families settled in the area. Helen had a career as an educator, so it was apropos for her to stand in front of the schoolhouse. I forgot to take a picture of the blacksmsith shop, but I did copy the text of a resident that you could listen to (I hope you can read it).
Yes, we did more than just eat pies, we also enjoyed several hikes in the park. A fun hike started right across the street from our campground, on the Cohab Canyon trail. Dave took a picture of Greg, Helen, and I as we started up. If you zoom in, you might be able to see us. It was a fun hike with great views at the top of the cliffs and Greg found a mini slot canyon to explore.
The next day, Dave joined us on the very popular Hickman Bridge hike, which, you guessed it, took us to Hickman Bridge. It was a fun hike and not too steep or long for Dave. His ankle is finally getting better. We also drove to the nearby Petroglyphs in the cliffs and Helen took some great pictures with her telephoto lens. Greg is convinced those are aliens on the last Petroglyphs picture.
That afternoon, Greg and Helen hiked on the Chimney Rock trail, taking some great pictures, shared below. If you zoom in, you can see the green Fruita valley and orchards.
Murphy wasn’t able to hike the trails in Capitol Reef (no dogs allowed), but with such a beautiful campground and surrounding area to walk in, he didn’t miss out. But a few days before we left, Murphy was licking his right front paw a lot and Dave noticed one of his toenails was cracked at the base. Each day it got a bit worse. I called a vet in Moab, Utah near our next destination (there were no vets near Capitol Reef) and could not get an appointment for several days. By the third day, his nail was just hanging and bleeding. I kept putting band aids on it. Luckily, another vet in Moab could squeeze him in on our arrival day. The vet said losing toenails is common in Utah as the dogs are hiking a lot on rocks. A vet tech distracted him with treats while the vet pulled it off and wrapped it. And the best part, no restrictions for him. The vet said the nail will slowly grow back. Murphy was a trooper through it all.
Thanks so much for following along. We have arrived to explore our 4th Utah national park, Canyonlands, while staying at nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. Look for our next blog sharing this adventure.
Fruit Pies & Cinnamon rolls: I’m in heaven Brenda, Orchards in the desert, who knew Dave, and my toe really hurt (but it didn’t slow me down) Murphy.
Spectacular!
And yes, we have orchards in the desert 😊; that linger long after the humans!!
Will be curious if you have a favorite Utah park? Again, THX for taking the time to blog!!! Greatly enjoy it!
So glad you all enjoyed the beauty of CR and Fruita CG and Dave got to join in for the hike to Hickman Bridge.
Murphy is such a good sport. Nothing can keep him down for long.
Thanks for the amazing photos!
And I knew the bakery would be a highlight. 🤗