The factory

[Ben Egbert]

Factory Butte is a well known feature just east of Capitol Reef NP. I spent the night here so I could be ready for sunrise. I have an image of where I camped at the Transportation forum.

CC welcome.

 

[JimFox]

Very nice Ben. Factory Butte is a really cool location. So many options for composition.

I will have to go check out your campsite photos.

Jim

 

[Ben Egbert]

Thanks Jim, next time I want to walk closer to see if I can eliminate the tire tracks and maybe get some flowers. I also want to spend some time at skyline (?) which is just a few more miles up that road.

 

[AlanLichty]

Tire tracks in that area are difficult to avoid unless the ground is almost vertical. There are flowers out there in the spring. I have seen them in April on more than a couple of trips.

 

[Jeffrey]

Very nice image of that prominent feature, Ben. I've driven by the turnoff from the hiway, but never found the scene quite exciting enough to end my day travels there. Maybe next time.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Very nice image of that prominent feature, Ben. I've driven by the turnoff from the hiway, but never found the scene quite exciting enough to end my day travels there. Maybe next time.

I spent a lot of time trying to find a way to the west side for a sunset shot and never got one. It would require a hike. I always try for sunrise. After a night and morning here I typically head over to the cathedral valley loop. Sometimes to spend a night at the only campground on that road at the far west end. Sometimes to spend a night around the Temple of The sun.

 

[Jeffrey]

Good route, Ben. Since you are camping in your vehicle, as I do, you can stay in the small parking area adjacent to the Cathedral Valley Overlook, just a few steps from the lot. Much better morning and evening opportunities than the campground down the road and then your camp is right there.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Thanks Jeffrey. You are correct, I was not sure it was legal to camp there. I did go there for my evening shots, but shot from the road below the campground the next morning. Not really a great morning place. Just as the Temples are not a great evening place.

 

[Martín el Escocés]

Nice shot, Ben. I think I must have missed out on this Butte in the CR area but then we just drove through most of it. Having a camping vehicle must set you up great for early morning and late evening shots!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Nice shot, Ben. I think I must have missed out on this Butte in the CR area but then we just drove through most of it. Having a camping vehicle must set you up great for early morning and late evening shots!

It does if you can find a place to camp. Some NP areas require permits or have restricted camping. But it certainly helps to be self contained.

 

[ckcarr]

Very nice Ben.

Just a heads up. A large part of the land around Factory Butte is considered a Wilderness Study Area. So you need to be aware of the thin brown signs surrounding the perimeter. That was done to preserve the natural beauty before it was all destroyed by ATV's, Jeepers, motorcyclists, mountain bikers, what have you. That's why the other section further up the road is set up for motorcycles and ATV's and has camping.

I'm hoping the Factory Butte area, and actually all the BLM land around Hanksville can remain somewhat pristine, although I get more discouraged as time passes and Utah gets overrun. It seems a certain personality type likes to leave their mark these days (no one here), we've all seen it.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Very nice Ben.

Just a heads up. A large part of the land around Factory Butte is considered a Wilderness Study Area. So you need to be aware of the thin brown signs surrounding the perimeter. That was done to preserve the natural beauty before it was all destroyed by ATV's, Jeepers, motorcyclists, mountain bikers, what have you. That's why the other section further up the road is set up for motorcycles and ATV's and has camping.

I'm hoping the Factory Butte area, and actually all the BLM land around Hanksville can remain somewhat pristine, although I get more discouraged as time passes and Utah gets overrun. It seems a certain personality type likes to leave their mark these days (no one here), we've all seen it.

Thanks for the heads up, i knew they had closed this area to ATV's. had not seen the wilderness study area signs. I assume you can still hike out to toward the butte. I parked right next to the road so I was not driving on closed land.