In the South Desert of Capitol Reef 

The Cathedral Valley covers the northern regions of Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park. The west side of the Cathedral Valley Loop road follows the rim of the cliffs above the South Desert. There are two overlooks above the deep, sunken basin called the South Desert. The lower overlook is about 12 miles north of the Fremont River ford at Highway 24. 

Park your car at the overlook sign and walk several hundred yards west to the viewpoint on the edge of the cliffs. You’ll be following an old jeep road that winds down to the bottom of the basin. You can see the road crossing the flat bottom of the South Desert and disappearing off into the distance. After taking your photographs from the rim, walk down the jeep trail, open the gate in the barbwire fence, and continue walking several hundred feet down to the bottom. Turn left and head south along the base of the cliffs. It’s only a short walk around the point until you’ll see this hidden balancing rock, the size of a small car, perched on its sandstone pillar. 

If you are planning a photo exploration of southern Utah’s most fascinating national park, read my Photograph America Newsletter #39 - “Capitol Reef National Park.” Another reason to subscribe to the most detailed bimonthly photo/travel newsletter available. For more information and subscription details check out:  http://www.apogeephoto.com/800get_foto.html    

Previous Great Locations:

Up the Hudson River  
At the Base of the Kaiparowits Plateau  
Durango to Silverton Railroad along the Animas River  
Sunrise through the cottonwoods behind the old Johnson Ranch
Winter in the Tetons
Autumn Color in the Village of Waterville, Vermont   
Salt Valley Road in Arches National Park  
Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, California 
Victorians along Steiner Street on Alamo Square in San Francisco 
Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon   
Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park  
Desert Tortoise in the Mojave 
Formations along the White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park 
False kamani roots - Hana, Maui 
Bristlecone patterns along the Devil’s Backbone 
Spawning sockeye salmon jumping the falls on the Meziadin River  
Old miners' cabin above the Salmon Glacier in British Columbia   
Aspen groves along the road to Ophir, Colorado
Reflections on a small pool in the mountains of British Columbia
Afternoon shadows on snowdrifts in Jackson Hole, Wyoming   
Coral Pink Sand Dunes after a storm

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