Are these the best views in Capitol Reef? Hiking Upper Muley Twist

Are these the best views in Capitol Reef? Hiking Upper Muley Twist
Capitol Reef is one of our favorite parks, and Muley Twist has been on our radar for years. We cancelled last year due to snow, but this was our year.
First, I want to say that if you have not been to the Waterpocket Fold section of Capitol Reef, make plans. It's amazing, even if you just drive down Notom Bullfrog road, then take Burr Trail Road up the Burr Trail Switchbacks and out at the 12. Incredible scenery, all along. 4WD is nice, but almost any vehicle with decent clearance would make it. (Unless it's rained or snowed, of course.)
Anyway, after several miles on Notom Bullfrog Road, you take the Burr Trail road up some incredible switchbacks. Reminded me of a smaller version of Shafer Trail switchbacks outside Moab. Once at the top, you'll quickly come to a road for Upper Muley Twist. You can take that about a mile or so and you come to the 2WD parking area. If conditions are good and you have a 4WD (high clearance recommended), you can continue on to the 4WD trailhead. I can't remember if this cuts 1 or 3 miles off the trip.
Once at either trailhead, start walking up the wash. You will pass 2 or 3 arches by this point in your trip. Once you come to Saddle Arch, you can either climb up to your right (looking up canyon) to the rim route, or continue up the wash. We heard the views from the rim were the high point, so we decided to save those until the end and continued up the wash.
Eventually, the wash begins to narrow up. You can get up out of the canyon on a bypass trail to your right, or continue into the slot canyon section of Upper Muley Twist. I definitely recommend continuing into the slot. It's short, but scenic. You quickly come to a dryfall and can't continue up canyon any further unless you take some moki steps on the right. This all depends on your comfort level. I climbed the steps and continued up canyon a ways, but eventually turned around to go back to the bypass. If you have enough time, I have read it is worth the extra mileage to continue up as far as you are comfortable before turning back.
The bypass quickly climbs up high on canyon right, with some exposed sections. Nothing technical, but if you have a fear of heights, keep that in mind. Soon enough the bottom of the canyon catches up to you and you find yourself back in the middle of the canyon....only to have to climb up to the ridge to your right. The climb is quick and to the point, and soon enough you will find yourself on the rim. The views of Waterfold Pocket from the rim cannot be beat. In fact, they're some of the best, if not the best in Capitol Reef National Park.
Once on the rim, go down canyon back toward your vehicle. Again, there are some very steep and exposed sections. You soon find yourself back by Saddle Arch. Take the trail you passed earlier back to the wash. Follow the wash back to your truck.
Our stats said 10 miles, 1,000 ft of elevation gain (and loss) in a little under 6 hours.
Music by Epidemic Sound:
We are Giants - Silver Maple
Aero - Tevor Kowalski
Guna - Martin Landh
Repurposed - Cody Francis
Falla Up - Lo Mimieux
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Canon EOS R:
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Canon 35 mm f1.8 lens
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