Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route
This hike in the remote Cathedral District offers a unique bird's eye view of the Temples of the Sun and Moon Monoliths.
Plan Around Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route
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Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route Details
This hike offers a unique bird's eye view of the Temples of the Sun and Moon monoliths in the Cathedral Valley. Access is from the Hartnet Road, a little over 17 miles from Hwy. 24. There's a wooden sign with a diagram of the ridge ahead to mark the trailhead. Hikers will follow the faint path to the north across a brushy flat before climbing a short, steep pitch to the rim of a saddle, which offers views of Lower Cathedral Valley to the north. Hikers can access a second saddle to the east by returning to the base of the cliffs and turning east and following a sandy wash to a point level with the low pass to the north. Keep in mind that while there is no reliable trail connecting the two saddles, there might be a faint track guiding hikers between the viewpoints. Good navigation skills are a must. It's roughly one mile between the two saddles. From here, hikers will head cross-country back to the trailhead, completing a 2.5-mile loop. Capitol Reef's northern Cathedral District is a remote backcountry with no paved roads. In this stark area, the northern flanks of Waterpocket Fold give way to deserts, studded with monoliths and volcanic dikes and crags. Both the Cathedral and Hartnet roads, passable only with high- clearance vehicles - four-wheel drive often recommended - provide access to a number of short hikes, including the Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route. These aren't official, maintained trails, but rather include obstacles in canyons, which change frequently due to weather, flash floods and rock falls. Anyone who attempts these backcountry hikes must be a capable map and compass reader, and must not rely solely on unofficial route markers like rock cairns. Roads in the area are maintained infrequently and often become impassable in winter or in rainy weather; be sure to check at the visitor center before setting out. At the south end of the Hartnet Road near Highway 24, vehicles must ford the Fremont River; there is no bridge. Vehicles should not attempt to cross the river during floods or any other time when the water is high. Remember, backcountry hikers should always let others know of their planned route and return times, and should carry extra food, water and sun protection.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2.5 miles
Estimated time
1-2 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route
Compare nearby parks around Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks Route while the map context is still fresh.
3.0 mi away
Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock Route
Capitol Reef's remote northern Cathedral District offers a number of trails, including the Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock Route.
6.0 mi away
Cathedral Valley Loop
One of the most popular ways to take in the Cathedral Valley is via the Cathedral Valley Loop Tour.
8.6 mi away
Upper South Desert Overlook Trail
The short, .4-mile roundtrip Upper South Desert Overlook offers, as the name would suggest, a great view over the upper reaches of South Desert.
8.8 mi away
Cathedrals Trail
The 2.4 mile out-and-back Cathedrals Trail hike follows along a low ridge line, which parallels the line of monoliths known as the Cathedrals.
8.8 mi away
Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook Trail
The short .2-mile roundtrip Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook is an easy hike, highlighted by panoramic views of a line of monoliths in the valley known as the Cathedrals.
