Artist Travels: Capitol Reef National Park

Hiking in the Grand Wash in Capitol Reef National Park

Our travels last fall took us to a local destination, a national park in Utah that is less frequently visited than some of the others in our state. Capitol Reef National park is just as grand and beautiful as the more widely known parks and deserves more recognition. For my birthday weekend we camped in the mountains above the park and spent each day exploring and painting the beautiful sites and orange and red rocks. We camped in Single Tree campground in the Manti La Sal national forest. The weekend was a beautiful blend of forest and pines and desert and sand.

The Castle, unfinished study in oil

Our first day of hiking took us to the trail to Hickman Bridge, and from there to the overlook of the Castle formation in Capitol Reef. The Castle overlooks the road that leads into the park and being able to hike above it was a beautiful switch in perspective. I made a good start on a study of the rock formation from above. I loved how purple the shadows looked on the red rock, and the beautiful atmosphere in the back hills.

On the way out I snagged a quick study on a tiny panel of Pectols Pyramid, the big cliff that stands across the street from the trail we were on.

Pectols Pyramid

oil on panel

The second day I started early with a big panel in our campsite. I loved the way the bright morning light shone through the tall lodge pole pines in the campsite. The distant hills appeared quietly through the trees. I wanted to try to capture the scene.

Single Tree Campground, view through the trees

oil on panel, unfinished study

Finished forest painting, in the studio at home

Our second day was spent hiking in the Grand Wash, a large slot canyon with high red sandstone walls. I spent part of the hike attempting to paint the red rock in the rapidly changing light.

Grand Wash plein air study, unfinished

This was a very quick weekend, but it was just enough time to explore a little bit more of the park that we hadn’t been to yet. It was a nice getaway from the pace and work of everyday. There also weren’t as many people in the park in September as there tend to be in the summer. Highly recommend visiting in the fall!

In the Wash, gouache on paper