Chimney Rock Loop Trail

Chimney Rock Loop Trail is a demanding 3.5 mile loop trail in Capitol Reef National Park located near Torrey, Utah that offers wide panoramic views along the Waterpocket Fold. Starting as a strenuous climb up switchbacks for the first quarter mile; then it becomes a moderate loop hike afterwards offering views of Chimney Rock and sweeping panoramas from the top of the mesa along the edge of the Waterpocket Fold. Chimney Rock is a natural spire, eroded out of the side of the mesa and stands 300 ft above the road. The trail ascends higher than the top of the chimney. After 300-ft climb, the loop trail more gradually ascends and circles the top of Mummy Cliff to the south of Chimney Rock. Since this is a loop, go whichever direction you wish, but most people end up going counterclockwise to finish the climb at the beginning of the loop trail to the cliffs. Chimney Rock was once part of same sediment bed solidified into Mummy Cliff and the rest of the mesa. But as the mesa eroded, Chimney Rock - made of harder stone - is positioned such that it can shrug off the mesa's winds and stone-splitting frosts; it formed a natural landmark more resistant to erosion than the surrounding sandstone. Chimney Rock Canyon is located at east side of mesa, and cuts way down to Spring Canyon, and then onto Hwy 24 and the Fremont River. Seemingly made of stacked sandstone bricks, Mummy Cliffs almost appear to be buttresses holding up edges of mesa. The cliffs mark the highest point of mesa, rising up out of Chimney Rock Canyon with rest of the slanted Waterpocket Fold. The hike can be extremely hot in the summer, so be sure to take plenty of water; also hiking poles are useful. The trail passes through the bright red-orange sandstone which is striking against other rock. This is the signature hike at Capitol Reef and can be crowded at times, but is still not to miss!