Goosenecks & Sunset Point

Goosenecks, vistas of the Capitol Reef, excellent sunsets Arrive in the last two hours before sunset on any evening and you will see photographers setting out their soul-catchers for a popular view in the park. Like mites or spiders, their tripods dot the landscape. Just look around them and enjoy the scenery. You've come for one thing: to watch the sunset. Though the trails are short, they do present hazards: a lack of shade during the day time, dangerous dropoffs at the points, and no water at the parking lot. Stick to the trails when you are crossing dirt so that you do not damage the cryptobiotic crust (which is literally living soil filled with bacteria that have taken thousands of years to build their inches tall towers -- one footstep in the wrong place and you've crunched Manhattan). You may walk on solid rock here, but watch for the ledges! It's a four hundred foot near vertical fall to Sulphur Creek! Time your visit right so that you see the whole show. The view under the full moon is stunning.