Capitol Reef National Park By : Davis Sheppard

 In 1928, Ephraim Pectol was elected to the Utah State legislature. He began a campaign to try to draw attention to the water pocket fold area of Capitol Reef. In 1937, President Roosevelt put aside about 37,000 acres of the Capitol Reef as a national monument. The amount of visitors in NPS areas was growing very quickly. Nearly 150,000 people were visiting Capital Reef each year. In 1970, bills were introduced into congress to see if Capitol Reef should be a national park. Officials recommended that 254,000 acres should be set aside as a national park, and that legislation was signed by President Nixon on December 18, When Did It Become a National Park?

Map Of Capitol Reef George Fremont Trail Lower Muley Twist Canyon

Lower Muley Canyon Twist

Fremont George Overlook Trail

U.S. Map With Capitol Reef

U.S. Map With National Parks

 Pollution from areas around the park and the park itself are greatly affecting the environment. Animals may consume trash from visitors and be killed. The food chains may be in danger too, as other non-native animals are finding ways into the park. Weather may not be as much of an issue as it is an occurrence. When it rain the rocks in the national park are slowly being eroded and changing the landforms. Environmental Issues

 Capitol Reef is known for the water pocket fold, running 100 miles throughout the park. It forms a very steep step-up, called a monocline, in an area with mostly flat layers. It was formed nearly 70 million years ago when a fault buried underneath the surface moved and created the monocline. Erosion has greatly affected this fold. It has created colorful cliffs, and massive domes. There is also Capitol Reef itself, which can be found near the Gorge Fremont River. It’s named for it’s white domes made of Navajo Sandstone, and it’s rocky cliffs. Rocks found in this area can range from 270 million, to 80 million years old. The Waterpocket fold has tilted the rock layers to the east. Older rocks are found in the western part of the park, and younger rocks are found in the east Special Landforms

 A boardwalk running through the park has been constructed for visitors to use when exploring Capitol Reef. The reason for this is to keep them from endangering the animals by feeding them unhealthy items, harming any plants, and protecting the park grounds. In Capitol Reef, when it gets dark, the sky shows a beautiful display. To help preserve, this amazing sight, staff members have created an outdoor lighting inventory, to help minimize light pollution. They have also chosen to use environmentally friendly light fixtures throughout the park. Ways Tech Is Preserving And Maintaining The Park

Night Sky At Capitol Reef

 One type of rock found here is White Rim Sandstone. These rocks are nearly 275 million years old, and can be found at the base of the Gorge Fremont River. The Mummy Cliffs in Capitol Reef are made of dark red Moenkopi, which is around 225 million years old, and was formed during the Triassic period. You can find cliffs of Sheer Wingate Sandstone towering over Utah Highway 24. These cliffs also have domes of Navajo Sandstone on the top. Types Of Rocks

Mummy Cliffs In Capitol Reef

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