There's no cell phone service in Capitol Reef. In the nearest town of Torrey there was some slow 1x speed service, enough to let my kids know I was still alive. I always file a trip plan with them if I'll be off the beaten path so that somebody will know if I'm missing.
There were a lot of motorcycles throughout the area, including a surprising number of trikes. And a lot of big pickups hauling huge camping trailers. Expect many drivers to be looking at the scenery or driving too fast for the curves, so be aware that there could be oncoming traffic in your lane around curves or over blind rises. Tourists, ya know!
Theft from motor vehicles at trailheads is a huge problem in the National Parks. I locked my jacket and helmet to the bike along with the red dry bag (though thieves could have stolen the tent and sleeping bag from the red bag if they'd wanted to).
Hickman Natural Bridge arch which has about a 125 foot height and about 133 foot span. Very impressive! There are numerous arches throughout the park.
Leaving the park on the west side at Torrey, join the amazing Rt 12. This is perhaps the most scenic and incredible ride in the USA.
The first segment from Torrey to Boulder is about an hour of winding alpine high elevation mountain riding. Plenty of 3rd gear twisting turns. Not much 6th gear. The summit is at 9600 feet, so expect much cooler temps on this segment.
Here's the view from the summit towards Escalante and the Grand Staircase to the south, where we're headed.
Reaching Boulder things change again dramatically. Boulder is a small tourist town with plenty to do there, but I rode on through. If you're like me and don't like cliff hugging roads, this next section will get your pulse rate up! The terrain transitions to deeply carved cliffs and canyons. You're now at the upper level and about to descend to the canyon floor. There are few guardrails along this section, and serious exposure if you depart your lane! Pay attention, and abide the speed limit which is 25 through the hairy sections.
Going in this direction you suddenly find yourself on the most spectacular 1/4 mile section without warning. There are cliffs on both sides of the road starting at the white line. And the road isn't straight, it makes several S turns. From the road you cannot see anything other than the valley floors 1000 feet below on both sides.
After this section the road descends with cliffs and steep drop offs to the right. There are a couple of sections of guard rail, but mostly none. For about 5 miles you descend to the canyon floor.
This is just past the hog's back section. I wasn't going to go back up to find a place to park to take photos, because I didn't want to do that section again!
Now the ride gets a lot warmer across the sandstone layers.