Valleys & Plains

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. 2022

Captured on the fourth morning of a rugged five-day backpacking expedition through the Glen Canyon backcountry and into Capitol Reef National Park, this image reveals a raw and wild view of Strike Valley. Stretching between the towering uplift of the Waterpocket Fold and the eroding layers of the Mancos Shale Formation, this high-desert valley unfolds like a forgotten meadow — vast, windswept, and geologically staggering. After hiking over 40 miles through remote canyons, this vantage point felt earned. But beauty often comes at a price. As we reached this overlook, a fast-moving snowstorm swept in over the desert, quickly turning our exposed 8-mile descent into a freezing, high-stakes scramble. Visibility dropped, footing became slick, and every step tested our resilience. Still, moments like this—when brutal weather collides with impossible beauty—are what make these backcountry experiences unforgettable. This is Capitol Reef at its most untamed.