Capitol Reef National Park - Ladies Retreat
- Posted On
- Aug 14, 2012
- Category
- Southern Utah
![kanarra falls, family hiking - 2011](/media/uploads/wp/2012/08/20111014-_MG_8816-300x200.jpg)
Photos: Monique Beeley -
Just a few short hours from Salt Lake City, (a little more if you take an unplanned detour or two, an adventure in itself with quaint villages nestled up to rolling hills and high altitude passes) is the lovely town of Torrey. This is the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park and an ideal setting to meet up with like-minded women for a two-day tourism industry retreat.
Driving into Torrey on Utah's Scenic Highway 24 at sunset is truly a magnificent experience. As the sun fades, the colors of the red rock change from brilliant crimson to a soft, deep rose and then darker still as the rocks become shadows on the landscape. First stop, reception and dinner at Café Diablo, a restaurant specializing in innovative gourmet Southwest Cuisine - hardly one you would expect to find in this rural part of Utah. The Café's decor itself is simple - simple tables, simple chairs, but walking through the restaurant is like strolling through an art gallery. And in some ways it is. Café Diablo displays the largest gallery of fascinating Coyote Art in the world. Owner and Certified Executive Chef, Gary Pankow, greeted us as the friendly staff delivered delectable, eclectic meals topped off with an assortment of pastries for dessert. It was a great gathering place for our group of women to renew acquaintances and create new ones.
![kanarra falls, family hiking - 2011](/media/uploads/wp/2012/08/20111015-_MG_9354-2-200x300.jpg)
As the evening slowly faded, we took leave of the restaurant to drive back down Highway 24 a short way to our accommodations, The Lodge at Red River Ranch. Another unexpected treat awaited us there. Anticipating simple hotel type accommodations, we were pleasantly surprised when we entered a true western lodge. The Lodge at Red River Ranch offers exactly the type of experience that conjures up images of the Old West. Built with rustic logs and beams, a floor to ceiling rock fireplace at its center, the lobby engulfs every visitor with history. Each of its 15 guest rooms are uniquely decorated with antique furnishings and fireplaces. Comfortable beds are a welcome respite after a long day on the road or hiking trails.
When morning dawns, there is no disappointment, only awe and wonder as the sun dances on the spectacular red rock that surrounds the Lodge.
![kanarra falls, family hiking - 2011](/media/uploads/wp/2012/08/20111014-_MG_8723-300x200.jpg)
![kanarra falls, family hiking - 2011](/media/uploads/wp/2012/08/20111015-_MG_9519-300x200.jpg)
![kanarra falls, family hiking - 2011](/media/uploads/wp/2012/08/20111015-_MG_9417-300x200.jpg)
Back to Capitol Reef National Park for a hike up through Cohab Canyon. This moderate trek climbs to a hidden canyon with a spur trail leading into a narrow slot that offers those who would take the detour a taste of canyoneering in tight spots. For the adventuresome but not for the claustrophobic! We hiked on a dirt trail that led onto rocks and boulders where we stopped for lunch and photos with now familiar friends. As we sat on the warm red rock surrounded by spectacular views we marveled at the superstar of Capitol Reef, the massive Waterpocket Fold, captivated by its sheer magnitude and enormity. The silence of the moment was only exceeded by the camaraderie that we all experienced.
Finally, before heading off to our diverse destinations, we gathered for one last time at the Red Rock Candy Company in Torrey to sample and purchase home-made sweets, a must-have for any trail-weary traveler. A fitting end to our two day retreat.
CapitolReef.travel
RedRiverRanch.com
NPS.gov/care
CougarRidgeLodge.com
Tags
Hiking, Capitol Reef, Ladies RetreatsArchives
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