Exploring Capitol Reef National Park: Episode 2

In the second episode of my trip to Capitol Reef National Park, we explore the backcountry area known as Cathedral Valley.
Four -wheel drive is recommended to visit this area, and leave your fear of heights at home, but if you're a fan of interesting geology or beautiful Utah desert landscapes you won't want to miss this episode.
Edited in Adobe Premier Pro 2024
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[@monicapuckett9727]

Not only are you creating beautiful art for many to enjoy, you are creating amazing memories for your kids!! What a genuine human your are!!

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thank you Monica! I would say they enjoy these trips most of the time. 😏

[@just_kyles8090]

I drove the loop and stayed at the campground over Halloween just over a year ago. It’s a fantastic area and well worth the visit. Thanks for taking me back there.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

It’s a grand adventure, and I think staying at the campground half way through is the best way to do it. Happy to share the memories!

[@Wilderness-Will]

Capitol Reef's been on my National Parks "to do" list for a while, and this video was a great guide to help plan my trip. Thank you!

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

It's definitely worth the trip! Don't miss my Episode 1 video for experiences in the rest of the park.

[@barbarycoast3972]

Thanks for the vid. First time I've seen pics of the cathedrals. Great wide shots

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

It's a beautiful park, definitely worth the journey

[@outdoorlifeofindoorperson1263]

It is beautiful! We could not be there because we needed to change our schedule. So, going through your video helped me imagine how it would be like. Thank you very much for your wonderful adventure! 😄

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Happy to share the experience

[@georgehudetz1233]

Some breathtaking footage there, Nicholas. And nicely narrated! This is on my shortlist now, for sure.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Definitely worth the trip. I wish I could have done more night sky there, a return to the area will be in my future someday.

[@Loralanthalas]

Humans dont live long enough to get to see everything on earry. Thanks for showing me a part Id never otherwise get to. Its beautiful. The geological history would be fascinating, you can SEE where a watertable used to sit. Thats crazy.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thank you Loral! It's definitely an amazing place.

[@user-sd9sx9pq4q]

Wow…thank you for taking me through a wonderful adventure…and where, I’m very sure my van wouldn’t make it! Awesome film!

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thank you Lelija! Happy to share the experience, it was an enjoyable one.

[@adventureoverland1960]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing. Heading there in may and this is on my list.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

In my opinion May is the perfect time to visit the desert parks of Utah. Enjoy it!

[@valoriel4464]

Nice adventure. Thx ✌🏻

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thanks Valorie! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ET-pj6rx]

this place is a gigantic open-cast mine

[@lauram9478]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thank you Laura!

[@robm799]

Excellent

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Thanks Rob!

[@maryhairy1]

What was the white ‘stone’ coloured over the rocks before your decent? Lime layer, perhaps? What a stunning sight to behold! So appropriately named too! Amazing!

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

I don't know the geology of that specific area well enough to answer that Maryanne. it's definitely interesting though.

[@hightidelowtide4300]

Awsome video... if i were to drive into the bentonite hills section and turn around drive back out ... how many miles would that be ??. 24 to Bentonite hills and then back to 24.. tia

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

I'm guesstimating it would be about 20 miles.

[@hightidelowtide4300]

One more quick question about the 20 miles to and from the Bentonite Hills.. I've got a full sized Silverado 4x4 without the ability to air down for washboard ect.. I will have my mother in law in the vehicle... Will she be complaining for an eternity about a super rough ride or not too bad???. 😂 Last question I promise.. TIA

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

That probably changes a lot depending on what the recent weather has been like. It wasn't too washboarded when I was there, but your experience may vary.

[@markjensen663]

Is high clearance 4 wheel drive needed for that stretch of road? While I have 4 wheel drive my clearance is pretty weak.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

I will say it this way….. 4WD high clearance is recommended. In typical conditions like you see in this video, you probably won’t run into a situation where high clearance is really needed. However, the route does cross a number of washes and dry creek beds that if they were flowing, or if they had been recently eroded by a flash flood, could create clearance issues. Not to mention the river crossing that would become problematic at greater water depths. I would always advise to check in at the main visitor center in the park to see what the current conditions are and make your decisions from there.

[@flatplaneoregon4605]

Melted petrified vitrified ancient structures and buildings. I can't Not see it. The Meltology Mountains of the cathedral valley are spectacular.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

It definitely is a unique place

[@awesimo2000]

Nope. Some fool proved me and my friends wrong about needing a 4x4 to go there. This dude drove his Fiat 500 to the Temple of the Moon. Don’t know how he got through some deep sandy spots, but Mr Eternal Sunshine of the Fiat 500 managed to do it

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

Ha… there’s always that one person.

[@karlkeating2803]

Nice visuals and commentary, but the music overpowers your voice and usually doesn't match, in speed or tone, what is being displayed. I recommended skipping music entirely and just using ambient sounds and your occasional voiceover.

[@user-zc8mk7mm7w]

Meh. I think you should let some ocd things go.

[@karlkeating2803]

@@user-zc8mk7mm7w Ah, another person who can't go into the wilderness without music blasting in his ears.

[@martinjdesmond]

Looks like you are flying a drone in a national park. That is a real no-no which you should know better as a photographer.

[@NicholasJensenPhotography]

All drone footage was filmed on BLM land, where it is completely legal.

[@just_kyles8090]

A significant portion of that loop is not within the park boundaries.

[@jamescox4823]

ok karen

[@hightidelowtide4300]

Learn something before commenting lol.. the Bentonite Hills drone section was amazing and outside of the park...

[@Loralanthalas]

FAA licenses for drone flying isnt that hard. Nor is being a steward.