HICKMAN BRIDGE
is about a mile from a trailhead located at N38
17.328 W111 13.676. It was named after a local educator -
Joseph S Hickman - who labored to preserve Capitol Reef as a park,
and thought it was the very essence of a "Wayne Wonderland".
You will climb about 400 feet in elevation along the trail. Please
be sure to take plenty of water and be prepared for high
temperatures or wet weather. We discourage you going in too wet of
weather as the area can be unsafe.
**This feature is in the Kayenta formation. It began as a fin,
then an alcove formed and finally floodwaters broke through to form
the bridge. Look around you as you hike, do you see any other
alcoves? bridges? or arches? Some might ask, what is the
difference, if any, between arches, windows and natural
bridges?
"A 'natural bridge' is a natural stone arch that spans a valley
of erosion. A 'natural arch' is a similar structure which, however,
does not span an erosion valley."
If we were to distinguish between arches and windows, we might say
that arches occur at or near the base of a rock wall, as do the
doors of a house or building, whereas windows are found well above
ground level. And a bridge would join the houses together.
To log this cache, please consider these questions.
*First, did you see any other erosional formations as you hiked
the trail, if so which ones?
*Next, tell us what you think the future holds for this bridge?
Will it expand vertically or horizontally? What reasons support
this hypothesis?
*Then, post a photo, if able, of your group at the bridge
enjoying the area.
* Also add to your post how many were in your group.
Please E-mail us the answers to the questions.
DO NOT post answers in your log.
Then please post your photo and group number in your log.
THANKS, hope you enjoy this area as much as we do.
Any further information about Capitol Reef National Park can
be found at the Visitors Center located N 38
17.475 W111 15.742.