Rim Overlook Trail Navajo Knobs

Rim Overlook Trail overlooking Fruita, Utah. 
You can also see the Cohab Canyon Trail zigzag up the mountain.

Rim Overlook Trail  Capitol Reef

also known as Navajo Knobs Trail

So if you look at the above image, there is a small rectangle in the middle.  That is this barn, and we are on top of that cliff in the background.  Quite the climb, but it was so fabulously beautiful, it didn't feel like that bad of a climb. 

Looking up at the Rim Overlook spot on top of cliffs.

When I got to this spot of this hike, I looked down and saw the switchbacks zigzag up the steep mountain that I climbed last year.  Looking down on that trail, it was such a dramatically different perspective up there compared to when I was climbing all those switchbacks.  I am sure God has such a unique perspective also on our lives, and because he can see such a wider perspective knowing what is coming, knowing what challenges lie ahead, he can support and help us more that we can imagine.  I know at times you wonder why is my life such a mess.  May you consider that either there is something that would be good for you to learn from what you are going through, OR maybe you have stepped away from God (for he never leaves you), and trying to connect with him through prayer and reading his words (scriptures), you can have his amazing advice and direction from an all wise being with the ultimate perfect perspective of our life and the path we are on or are not on.  He can help give us advice to get us back on a path that is the easiest and best path to where we want to go.  HE LOVES YOU, never ever doubt this.  You just ask him if he does and he will let you know that what I am saying is indeed true. It will change your life, for once you realize that you are so important to the greatest being in the in the universe, you will see things differently from then on out.

360 Video of Rim Overlook into Fruita

If you enjoyed the above video, you should try it out on your VR HEADSET on YouTube VR, and it will transport you there! 

2D version if you like that better. 

2D Link for Above Video

The Zigzag Trail you see from Rim Overlook

So when you are at the top of Rim Overlook, you are looking down on this Cohab Canyon Trail, which is a fabulous trail also.  Here is the blog post for that one, if you are interested in seeing it in 360 degrees. 

Link for Cohab Canyon Trail 

Cohab Canyon Capitol Reef

Purple Flowers with one of the cool mountain backdrops on the Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Information About the Rim Overlook Trail

• Rim Overlook Trail often scares people away, for is listed as a Strenuous Hike 9.5 mile hike, but you don't have to make it all the way to the Navajo Knobs to have a fabulous enjoyable hike on this trail.  The whole journey is fabulous, and it is only 2.3 to the Rim Overlook that Overlooks Fruita, and a little over 3 miles to the overlook of the Castle, and from there you can decide if you want to go on to Navajo Knobs.  If you only do those overlooks, then this is only a moderate level hike.  If you go on to Navajo Knobs you are increasing it to a hard hike for the elevation gain and the scrambling rock issues. 
• I didn't think I would be that impressed with an overlook of Fruita, but because I had Cohab canyon before and wandered around Fruita's shops, I found myself really enjoying looking out and identifying the landmarks, especially the Cohab Trail zigzag up that mountain, and over into the slot.  That was just very cool to see from way up there. 
• I went the first week in June, and the Cati were in bloom and they were beautiful.  Made for such a beautiful hike.  
• About half way up, we encounters what I thought were gnats, but I am quite sure they were a tiny biting bug, for I had lots of spider looking bites the next morning, and I think it was from those tiny creatures. I believe it is only a spring thing, but when I go again I will be buying some bug spray with Citronella, for Deet and normal mosquito Repellents don't do anything to keep those pesky things away. 
• There is a fabulous blog by someone that worked at Capitol Reef for 4 years.  It is so comprehensive and informative about this hike and other things at Capitol Reef, I would highly suggest consulting that blog before going.  
• I felt the trail was very well marked and easy to follow, it was only confusing when there was an overlook, so of course there was 2 different Cairns marked (one to the overlooks, and one onward.)
• Elevation Gain is about 2000 feet, but that is all the way to Navajo Knobs.
• This trail is 3.5 hours south of Salt Lake City, and 5.25 hours northeast of Las Vegas.
• Trail is appropriate for kids 12 and up because of the ledges and length. 

Paper Thin Sandstone sheets making this unique rock.

360 Video of the First Section of the Rim Overlook Trail

2D Version if you like that better below. 

2D Video Link

Small Arch in the Bottom Corner this of  Unique Rock
Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Very Unique Layered Sandstone Rock Formations Capitol Reef

Video of the Black Andecite + Basalt Boulders, 

and interesting Sandstone Formations along the Rim Trail in Capitol Reef.  

Cacti in Bloom along the Rim Overlook Trail

Pink Cacti in bloom Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Pink Cacti in bloom  Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Motivational Message

I don't know exactly what I was expecting with this trail, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.   I thought the whole hike was beautiful, but especially loved that I caught many cactus in bloom.  I knew I would have the privilege of looking down into Fruita, but because I had already hiked Cohab Canyon, I really enjoyed finding that trail and seeing that hike and canyon entrance from way up on those cliffs, it was such a dramatically different perspective up there compared to when I was climbing all those switchbacks.  I am sure God has such a unique perspective also on our lives, and because he can see such a wider perspective knowing what is coming, knowing what challenges lie ahead, he can support and help us more that we can imagine.  I know at times you wonder why is my life such a mess.  May you consider that either there is something that would be good for you to learn from what you are going through, OR maybe you have stepped away from God (for he never leaves you), and trying to connect with him through prayer and reading his words (scriptures), you can have his amazing advice and direction from an all wise being with the ultimate perfect perspective of our life and the path we are on or are not on.  He can help give us advice to get us back on a path that is the easiest and best path to where we want to go.  HE LOVES YOU, never ever doubt this.  You just ask him if he does and he will let you know that what I am saying is indeed true. It will change your life, for once you realize that you are so important to the greatest being in the in the universe, you will see things differently from then on out.

Pink Cacti in bloom Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

First Overlook on the Rim Trail.  Love the Color Variations of the Rock below.

Loved the Rock that looked like a Sea Creature, can you see it too? 

Loved the Layered Sandstone here with the gorgeous rock behind on the Rim Overlook Trail.

My hiking buddy found thee rock here intriguing, for when she would tap her pole in some places it sounded solid, yet others sounded hollow underneath.  I am not sure why the variations in the noises you get when you tap the ground, but I am curious if those noises are somehow connected to these cool sunken in areas the water collects in during a storm.  

Natural Water Pools that are Empty along the Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Purple Wildflowers along the Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

Pink Cacti in bloom  Rim Overlook Trail Capitol Reef

If you liked this trail, I think you will also LOVE my Grand Wash 360 Videos and Link.  The best way to enjoy the trail below is using a VR Headset and YouTube VR, and my video on ShaunasAdventures will transport you there!    

Grand Wash Post

Grand Wash