CAPITOL GORGE

Capitol Gorge is the branch of the Fremont River Gorge that drains Capitol Reef. The gorge drains into Pleasant Creek near Notom. In pioneer (pre-bridge) days, travellers taking the Fremont River Gorge were forced to cross and recross the river even though it periodically flooded. Capitol Gorge was an alternate route taken to avoid the Fremont Rivet Gorge. Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch used the Capitol Gorge many times in their travels. Today a modern highway and several bridges have tamed the Fremont River and the unpredictable Capitol Gorge is now just a hikers' paradise.

John W. Van Cott