Hickman Natural Bridge
View of the bridge
View of the bridge
Hickman Bridge is located in Utah
Hickman Bridge
Hickman Bridge
Location in Utah
Coordinates: 38°17′29″N 111°14′05″W / 38.2913688°N 111.2346135°W / 38.2913688; -111.2346135[1]
LocationCapitol Reef National Park, Utah
Dimensions
 • Length133 ft (41 m)
 • Height125 ft (38 m)
Elevation5,693 ft (1,735 m)
[1]

Hickman Natural Bridge is a 125-foot-tall (38 m) natural bridge located in Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne County, Utah, United States. The formation spans 133 feet (40 meters), making it one of the largest rock spans in the park.[2][3][4]

Geology

The sandstone bridge was carved out of a geological formation known as the Kayenta Formation 65 million years ago, formed by flowing water coursing down the rock fin and eventually breaking through the soft shale. Large basalt and andesite boulders of volcanic origin were deposited by melting glacial debris flows from the cliffs of Boulder and Thousand Lakes mountains west of the park.[5][6] Hickman Bridge spans what is now a dry wash.[7][8]

History

A granary constructed by the Fremont peoples

Because of its close proximity to the Fremont River, the Capitol Reef region was first settled by prehistoric Fremont people, followed by the Paiutes between 300 and 1300 C.E.[9][10] Petroglyph panels as well as the remains of a granary and other various archaeological sites can still be seen on the canyon walls and along the trail.

1958 travel brochure featuring Hickman Bridge on the coverpage

Mormons settled the valley near the bridge in the 1880s and established nearby Junction (later renamed Fruita). [11] After the region was federally protected in 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps, responsible for constructing the early infrastructure of the park, carved out the trail, and Hickman Bridge was later named after local school administrator Joseph Hickman, who was previously elected to the Utah State Legislature in 1924.[2][12]

A significant rockfall occurred at the Hickman Bridge Trailhead on March 23, 2013, and the trail was closed upon discovery of the debris.[13] With the assistance of crews from nearby Canyonlands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, the trail was realigned around the debris pile and officially reopened 6 months later in November.[14]

Flora

Native to the southwestern United States, Utah Juniper trees can be seen around the canyon throughout the trail. Mormon tea, pinyon pine and prickly pear cactus are also abundant in the region.[9]

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Hickman Bridge. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F (0 °C), and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and winter snowfall is generally light.

Access

The bridge can be accessed via a 1.8 mile out-and-back trail from the Hickman Bridge trailhead on Utah State Route 24 near Torrey, Utah. The trail goes under and around the natural bridge, and is considered moderate difficulty by the National Park Service due to switchbacks and the trail length. The trail follows the Fremont River before entering the valley, and also gives access to the Rim Overlook Trail, Navajo Knobs Trail, Capitol Dome, and Navajo Dome.[15][16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Hickman Natural Bridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. 1 2 "Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park". Parkcation.com. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Hickman Bridge Trail, Capitol Reef National Park". The American Southwest. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park". climb-utah.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Hickman Natural Bridge - 2.05 miles". Protrails.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Hickman Bridge – Capitol Reef National Park". Takeahike.us. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Hickman Bridge Hike". University of Utah. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Hickman Bridge and Navajo Knobs". Visit Utah.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Hickman Bridge Trail Guide" (PDF). NPS History.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Fremont Culture". National Park Service. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ "History & Culture". Capitol Reef National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Timeline of Capitol Reef National Park". National Park Service. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Hickman Bridge Trailhead Temporary Closures". National Park Service. March 10, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Hickman Bridge Trail Reopens". National Park Service. November 29, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Hickman Bridge Trail". Alltrails.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Trail Guide". Capitol Reef National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
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