The Chimney Rock Trail is a 5.6km loop trail in Capitol Reef National Park (Utah).   The trailhead is 6.6 km west of the Park Headquarters at Fruita.

From the parking lot the trail winds along a sandy path through scrub pinyon and juniper for a short distance before starting to to climb the Moenekapi Formation red sandstone hills.

We ascend to the top of the Mummy Cliffs overlooking Chimney Rock, passing through a layer of the Chinle Formation up to a ridge.

We follow the ridge east.   Views extend to the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains in the distance.   To the south, Boulder Mountain rises over 11 000 feet.

The rugged, rocky terrain of the Sulphur Creek uplands and the Fremont River Gorge of Capitol Reef invites us to explore.   Fruita can be seen at the lower left of the photo below, a small green space in the Fremont River Valley.

The trail winds east, then north under Wingate Sandstone cliffs.   A junction is reached and a route can be followed farther (east) along Chimney Rock Canyon

A longer (6 miles) point-to-point route involving some scrambling can be done by following Chimney Rock Canyon over to Spring Canyon.     This route involves downclimbing and some exposure so is best suited to experienced canyoneers.

For a more moderate day hike, turn left at the junction and follow the trail back to the trailhead,  a total of 5.6km.   In addition to some wildflowers along the route, we spotted small fragments of petrified wood just off the trail.   One of the best features of this trail is that it offers good views south, west and east with a reasonable elevation gain.   It is a hot, south-facing hike though, best suited to a morning or shoulder season hike.