The News from Capitol Reef

Isolation a Welcome Companion at Capitol Reef National Park

It's impossible not to think about water right now.

The temperature, not surprising for late July, is in the high 90s, even in what little shade can be found under trees that would have been rejected as too spindly for A Charlie Brown Christmas. One wispy cloud is smeared across the sky.

Four miles remain on this 6-mile-plus hike, and while we're carrying as much water as our backpack bladders can hold, we're slurping it like, well, like we're in the desert and we might not have enough. Between gulps, my tongue feels like a dog biscuit.

On days like this, Capitol Reef National Park is God's Easy-Bake Oven, and we're the little pouches of instant brownie mix. Just add water -- but you'd better be carrying it with you