Multicolored sandstone strata in the walls of Capitol Gorge(unretouched, honest!)
The western entrance to Capitol Gorge
Can you believe this was once the main road through Capitol Reef in the early 20th century?
Only three canyons penetrate the Waterpocket Fold allowing east-west passage without having to ascend and descend hundreds of feet over all-but-impassible terrain: the Fremont River Canyon, the contemporary route bearing UT 24 through the reef, Grand Wash (watch for a post in a few days), and Capitol Gorge, the preferred route in the early 20th century. At that time, the bed of the wash was cleared of boulders and cars regularly attempted the "road."Today, Capitol Gorge is the location of a 4-mile hiking trail that allows walkers to penetrate through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold. Most hikers start at the western end and hike two miles into the gorge, where a side trail leads to some of the namesake waterpockets, or tanks. Along the way, hikers can enjoy Native American pictographs, a trail registry carved into the cliff wall by early travelers, and a profusion of wildflowers, especially in early spring, when we visited.
Despite the area's aridity, Capitol Gorge was carved by water. High up on one of the walls was an alcove carved by flowing water bearing boulders that ground out a little hollow. I don't know if these grinding boulders have remained in that alcove for the many thousands of years since the floodwaters eroded the main channel six feet deeper, leaving the alcove and the boulders high and dry above the bed of the wash, or whether they were tossed there by tourists playing basketball with stones. 
Detail of sediments exposed in the sandstone cliff wall
One of the namesake waterpockets (lower right)
