Route Editor
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Creek walkin' in Capitol Reef by cw50must Sulphur Creek is a perennial stream that flows through Capitol Reef National Park. The flow rate varies depending on snow melt, rain, etc. The creek/canyon contains a variety of terrain including narrows and waterfalls. Hiking this route includes crossing the creek many times, and walking in the shallow water in many places as the trail wanders in and out of the creek. Some scrambling may be required in certain sections. There are two ways of doing this hike. The first is the longer route which is 5.5 miles one way. You would need more than one car or arrange for a shuttle. The longer route would have you start at the chimney rock trail head off of highway 24. You follow the trail in and out of the creek as it returns to the visitor center. The trail is not really maintained, but the route is easy to follow, just stick to the creek and you will get there. There are pools and waterfalls along the way. As with any creek/canyon always check the weather for flash flooding dangers. If a shuttle is not available since this park does not offer any sort of tram service, you could always hike the 3 miles up highway 24 from the visitors center to the chimney rock trail head. The second way is the shorter route which will let you experience the creek/canyon without needing a shuttle. This route has you start at the visitors center and hike up the creek up to the first waterfall. The park service lists this waterfall at .75 miles away, but my GPS says its more like 1.1 miles one way. I guess it depends how much you wander in, out, and about the creek. The first water fall here is about 4-5 feet and there is a nice area there to relax and listen to the water. You could always go as far as you want and then turn back, this way is an out and back from the visitor's center. If you are standing at the front of the visitors center the trail is obvious as it leads you around the back to the creek. It is not marked other than a no dogs sign. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Sulphur Creek
My wife dropped my daughter and me off near the Chimney Rock Trailhead. We crossed the road and followed several drainages into Sulphur Creek.
We followed the creek downstream where we met my wife at the last waterfall before the visitor's center. My wife had tried, unsuccessfully, to work her way around the waterfall. This last (or first from her point of view) waterfall was probably the hardest / scariest obstacle to negotiate on the entire hike. I was certainly nervous doing a traverse on a wet, water polished ledge over the water.
For my daughter and I, there were several other waterfalls to pass, along with stretches of wading in ankle deep water. I don't think it's possible to do this route without getting your feet wet.
My daughter and I both really liked this trail. It's scenic, has water, and a few technical problems to solve along the way. We did it last year too and liked it well enough to repeat it this year. This was one of my daughter's top three favorite hikes for this trip.
We followed the creek downstream where we met my wife at the last waterfall before the visitor's center. My wife had tried, unsuccessfully, to work her way around the waterfall. This last (or first from her point of view) waterfall was probably the hardest / scariest obstacle to negotiate on the entire hike. I was certainly nervous doing a traverse on a wet, water polished ledge over the water.
For my daughter and I, there were several other waterfalls to pass, along with stretches of wading in ankle deep water. I don't think it's possible to do this route without getting your feet wet.
My daughter and I both really liked this trail. It's scenic, has water, and a few technical problems to solve along the way. We did it last year too and liked it well enough to repeat it this year. This was one of my daughter's top three favorite hikes for this trip.
2018-05-29 KBKB
Sulphur Creek
This is part of our Mighty Five Trip 2016. We did 5 parks in 5 days in Utah.
Day 3; Capitol Reef National Park. First I'll say that Fruita is a nice place to spend some time. We checked out the nature center, there are several historic buildings, they also have a nice park area that is good for a lunch picnic. After lunch we went back to the visitor's center to hike on Sulphur Creek. Some clouds rolled in so it helped with the sun on this one. The hike is easy and since you wander in and out of the creek several times it keeps you cool. We did the shorter version of this starting at the visitor's center and heading out to the first waterfall. Spent some time hanging out there.
Video: https://youtube.com ... _gKs
Day 3; Capitol Reef National Park. First I'll say that Fruita is a nice place to spend some time. We checked out the nature center, there are several historic buildings, they also have a nice park area that is good for a lunch picnic. After lunch we went back to the visitor's center to hike on Sulphur Creek. Some clouds rolled in so it helped with the sun on this one. The hike is easy and since you wander in and out of the creek several times it keeps you cool. We did the shorter version of this starting at the visitor's center and heading out to the first waterfall. Spent some time hanging out there.
Video: https://youtube.com ... _gKs
2016-06-21 cw50must
