The Waterpocket Fold, created 65 million years ago by uplifting forces, extends approximately north/south in central/southern Utah. The Fremont River crosses the northern part of the fold and created a welcoming environment for Mormon settlers who planted fruit trees and founded the town of Fruita, part of the National Park today. Earlier people enjoyed the environment and left petroglyphs and pictographs on the stones. The park’s name derives from the rock formations, many of which are domes, one reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol dome.

Because there had been an abundance of rain and there was fear of flash-flooding, some roads were closed to vehicular traffic. We used the opportunity to walk down the dirt road toward Capitol Gorge, approximately 2 miles round trip.