Capitol Reef National Park: Pleasant Creek
Pass through sunburnt red canyons and cliffs marked with ancient petroglyphs en route to a secret swim- ming hole on this isolated 6-mile out-and-back.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 4.8
Waypoints
CRF001
Location: 38.18327, -111.179802
Trail begins near a big dead cottonwood; head E toward wide entrance to sandstone canyon that soon gets narrow
CRF002
Location: 38.183399, -111.177399
Cross to R bank of sediment-rich Pleasant Creek; follow faint creekside game path
CRF003
Location: 38.183788, -111.168297
Cross to L side of creek; follow intermittent path through sagebrush meadow, along base canyon wall
CRF004
Location: 38.184212, -111.163399
Cross to R bank; creek bears L here; follow trail due E through brush and juniper
CRF005
Location: 38.18441, -111.1604
Ford creek to L bank; trail gets more distinct as canyon narrows. Cross creek several times until sheer redrock walls pinch in
CRF006
Location: 38.183239, -111.146896
At narrowest point, bear R into creek, hike 30 ft. along base of sheer R wall. Canyon opens dramatically; bear R, follow clear path E; cross creek twice more
CRF007
Location: 38.182491, -111.144699
Cross to the L side of creek then veer E to ascend a small saddle
CRF008
Location: 38.184509, -111.141296
Pass Fremont Indian petroglyphs on L side of saddle (700?1300 A.D.); take sandy path along L gorge wall to caves
CRF009
Location: 38.185692, -111.139099
Fremont Indian caves: Red rock is smoke-
stained. Bear R; follow creek .6 mi. to swim-
ming hole
CRF010
Location: 38.18623, -111.138802
Cool off where Pleasant Creek cascades over terraced slickrock into delightful pools; return
to car