Photo: Donald Elting Land of the Sleeping Rainbow, Capitol Reef National
Park, Utah Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08078A Price: $425 Deposit: $50 Capacity: 15 Leaders:
The Trip  Photo: Donald Elting Located on the Waterpocket Fold in central Utah, Capitol Reef National Park offers narrow canyons, spectacular vistas, expanses of slickrock, and multi-colored rock layers exposed by the massive fold in the earth’s crust. Petroglyphs show evidence of the early inhabitants of the area dating back 10,000 years. The park also shows signs of a more recent history, with the orchards and buildings from the Fruita community, which was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1880. The Project Over the years, the Sierra Club has worked with park staff on many important projects. We have helped refurbish the most used areas of the park and some of the most remote areas. Projects have ranged from preparing the Ripple Rock Nature Center, a children’s museum, for its season of programs to building a fence on the perimeter of the park. We have helped maintain the historic orchards and obliterated roads into the backcountry. Each year there are a variety of projects, but we always include a day for removing non-native tree species from the park. We will be working at about 5,400 feet and higher, so hydration is important, as is working at a comfortable pace, and using sunscreen. We will have a good time and benefit the park in the process. We have a chance to work behind the scenes at the park and learn some of the secrets the staff will share with us.
 Photo: Donald Elting We will meet in front of the Capitol Reef Visitors Center by 10:30 a.m. on day one. After introductions and orientation, we will reconvene at our group campsite, which will be our campsite for the week. Although it is comfortable, there are limited amenities. We have potable water and flush toilets. We’ll put up a shower curtain, so bring a sun shower for warm water. Please pack carefully and bring everything you need for the trip – toiletries included – as there are no services inside the park. We will work eight-hour days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will be our day off to hike and explore the park. We'll pack lunches after breakfast, and eat at noon. At the end of each day, participants can venture out and enjoy the surrounding area. Getting There The cost of transportation to the park is not included in the price of the service trip. Airlines fly to Grand Junction, Colorado, Salt Lake City, or Las Vegas, Nevada. If you drive, please remember that that Nevada time (PST) is one hour earlier than Utah (MST). As soon as a list of participants is available, the leader will forward copies to all trip members to facilitate carpooling.
The first meal will be lunch on day one, and the last meal will be breakfast the following Saturday. You can prepare a lunch each day with food that can be taken to the work-site. The trip staff will prepare menus. If you indicate that you have allergies, we'll make every effort to avoid those foods. Meal preparation will be directed by a staff member and assisted by trip members. All trip members can plan on one day of chores of their choosing. Participants are responsible for bringing their own mess kit, including utensils, plate, bowl, drinking glass, hot cup and a couple of hard plastic containers for packing lunch. Bring at lest two or three personal one-liter/one-quart containers for carrying your daily water.
 Photo: Donald Elting This will be a moderately strenuous trip. You should be in good shape and prepared for lots of work and fun. We will be working at high altitude. The physical demands of exertion at high altitude mean you should work at your own pace, bring lots of water, and rest when necessary. No one will be pushed past his or her limits. If you haven’t seen you doctor in the past five years, plan on a visit to get his or her signature on the medical information form. Minor medical conditions are no impediment to having a full, enjoyable experience. All participants must have a current tetanus shot (within the past seven years). Emergency Contact: The area is fairly remote, but we will be working with the National Park Service staff on a daily basis, so you can be contacted through them. A contact number will be provided to participants.
As always, weather at high altitudes is unpredictable. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing and snow or frost in the morning is possible. A warm sleeping bag and tent are required. Bring at least three one-liter containers for carrying water, your own supply of moleskin and Band-Aids, sunscreen, and lip balm. Bring clothes and boots that are warm and comfortable as well as broken in. Bring at least two pair of work gloves that have been broken in as well. April and May temperatures in southern Utah can range from 30 degrees at night to 90 degrees in the mid-afternoon. While we hope for warm, clear days, rain can sweep in and gear should be appropriate for three-season conditions. Plan to dress in layers for the workday as well as the hiking days. Shower facilities are limited – a sun shower will provide a way for you to rinse off at the end of a hard day. A good pair of heavy duty or leather work gloves is essential for this trip; like hiking boots, gloves serve best when broken-in in advance. The National Park Service will provide all work tools. An equipment list, which will be sent to you by the leader as part of the pre-trip information, gives guidance in your gear selection. No supplies are available in the park, so you should do final gear checks in Grand Junction, Las Vegas, or Salt Lake City.
The visitor center at Capitol Reef has a wide assortment of hiking and topographical maps including the booklet Explore Capitol Reef Trails that describes the hiking trails with hiking time and distance. Books:
You may request a comprehensive list of publications from the Capitol Reef Natural History Association: Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, Utah 84775; (435) 425-3791
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Don Elting has been a member of the Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol since 1993. He has assisted with planning and preparation of the Capitol Reef trip for the past four years.
Paul Bosner has 10 years of experience backpacking California's High Sierra, and nine years of experience on Sierra Club service trips. Since 1998, Paul has done 40 service trips, all in the Four Corners region, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Paul is on the staff of the Sierra Club's Southwest Service subcommittee, which helps organize and run approximately 30 service trips each year in the Four Corners region of the Southwest.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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