Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different wonders of nature that offer unique and breathtaking experiences. While Capitol Reef is a desert oasis, dotted with towering red rock formations and dotted with orchards, Wrangell – St Elias is a wilderness of glaciers, towering peaks, and untamed wildlife. Imagine hiking through a maze of towering cliffs in Capitol Reef or exploring the largest national park in the country, where grizzly bears roam free and glaciers stretch as far as the eye can see in Wrangell – St Elias. These two parks are like night and day, but both offer unforgettable memories and a chance to escape into the heart of nature. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an adventure that will leave you in awe and leave you wanting more.
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve both offer a variety of hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts, but they differ in terms of difficulty and landscape.
At Capitol Reef, some of the easiest hikes include the Capitol Gorge Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike through a narrow canyon, and the Rim Overlook Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s Waterpocket Fold. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the Cassidy Arch Trail, a strenuous 3-mile round trip hike that leads to a stunning arch formation.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a much larger park, and its hiking trails offer a wider range of difficulty levels. Some of the easiest hikes include the Root Glacier Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip hike on a glacier, and the Nizina River Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike through a scenic river valley. The hardest hike in the park is the Mount Bona Climb, a strenuous 16-mile round trip hike that leads to the summit of one of Alaska’s tallest peaks.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a range of hiking trails for all levels of hikers, from easy scenic hikes to strenuous mountain climbs.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both beautiful natural areas with unique flora and fauna.
At Capitol Reef, visitors may see:
– Desert animals such as bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and coyotes.
– Birds such as ravens, roadrunners, and various species of hawks and falcons.
– Plants like cacti, yucca, and wildflowers in spring.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, has:
– Larger mammals like moose, caribou, and bears.
– A variety of bird species including bald eagles, gyrfalcons, and ptarmigans.
– A mix of tundra, taiga, and temperate rainforest vegetation.
In summary, Capitol Reef is known for its desert wildlife and vegetation, while Wrangell-St. Elias is known for its diverse wildlife, including larger mammals and a mix of tundra, taiga, and temperate rainforest vegetation.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Osprey | Osprey |
Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
Mallard | Mallard |
Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
American Robin | American Robin |
Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
Merlin | Merlin |
Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
European Starling | European Starling |
Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Black Bear |
Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
Deer Mouse | Puma |
Raccoon | Mink |
Black Bear | Mule Deer |
Porcupine | Wolf |
Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
Red Fox | Land Otter |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
House Mouse | Water Shrew |
Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
American Mink | Montane Shrew |
Mule Deer | Long-Tailed Vole |
Common Gray Fox | Lynx |
Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
Long-Eared Myotis | American Marten |
American Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Ermine | Grizzly Bear |
California Myotis | Meadow Vole |
Fish
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Bluegill | Lake Trout |
Mottled Sculpin | Northern Pike |
Speckled Dace | Burbot |
Black Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
Cutthroat Trout | King Salmon |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Sockeye Salmon | |
Pink Salmon | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout | |
Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Gophersnake | |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
Prairie Rattlesnake | |
Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Common Kingsnake | |
Nightsnake | |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
Tree Lizard | |
Western Whiptail | |
Western Skink | |
Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
Capitol Reef National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Silvery Blue | |
Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its:
– Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust.
– The Capitol Dome, a large rock formation resembling a capitol building.
– Grand Wash, a narrow canyon with towering cliffs.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its:
– St. Elias Mountains, the highest coastal mountain range in the world.
– Wrangell Volcanoes, including Mount Wrangell, one of the largest active volcanoes in North America.
– Kennicott Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in North America and a popular spot for backpacking and hiking.
In summary, Capitol Reef is known for its unique rock formations and canyons, while Wrangell-St. Elias is known for its massive mountain ranges, active volcanoes, and glaciers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park:
1. Scenic Driving: The scenic drive through the park offers stunning views of the Waterpocket Fold and the park’s unique rock formations.
2. Hiking: Popular trails include the Capitol Gorge Trail and the Hickman Bridge Trail, both offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
3. Rock Climbing: The park offers opportunities for technical rock climbing and bouldering, with routes ranging from beginner to expert levels.
4. Wildlife Watching: Visitors can observe a variety of wildlife in the park, including desert bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and other desert animals.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve:
1. Scenic Driving: The park offers scenic drives through the Chugach Mountains and the Wrangell Mountains, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife.
2. Hiking: Popular trails include the Root Glacier Trail, the Kennicott River Trail, and the Mount Blackburn Trail, offering opportunities for backpacking, day hiking, and mountaineering.
3. Backpacking: The park offers numerous backpacking opportunities, including multi-day trips through the backcountry, with options for both novice and experienced backpackers.
4. Glacier Trekking: Visitors can explore the park’s glaciers, including the Root Glacier, the Kennicott Glacier, and the Nabesna Glacier, offering opportunities for guided or self-guided trekking and ice climbing.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both located in the United States, but they have very different climates and weather patterns.
Capitol Reef National Park is located in southern Utah and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of rain or snow.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with cold winters and mild summers. The best time to visit is during the summer months (June to August) when temperatures are warmer and there is more daylight for outdoor activities.
In both parks, weather conditions can change quickly and visitors should be prepared for a range of conditions, including rain, snow, and high winds. It is also important to note that some park roads and trails may be impassable during the winter months.
In summary, the best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park is during the spring or fall, while the best time to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is during the summer. Visitors should be prepared for a range of weather conditions and be aware of any road closures or trail restrictions.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both great options for families, but each has its own unique features.
Capitol Reef is more family-friendly, with easy hikes and scenic drives, as well as a visitor center with educational exhibits. This park is also known for its natural bridges, petroglyphs, and fruit orchards, making it a great destination for families with children who are interested in history and nature.
Wrangell – St Elias is a more remote and rugged park, but it offers a unique wilderness experience for families who are up for an adventure. The park features glaciers, mountains, and wildlife, and it’s a great destination for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Capitol Reef National Park is the better option as it offers a more family-friendly and accessible experience. Wrangell – St Elias is better suited for families who are seeking a more rugged and adventurous trip.