Spring Canyon runs over 16 miles from Thousand Lakes Mountain in the Fishlake National Forest to the Fremont River in Capitol Reef National Park. The canyon is divided into Upper and Lower segments; Chimney Rock Canyon leads into the heart of Spring Canyon, from which point hikers will find moderate travel in either direction. This unmaintained hiking route features towering Wingate cliffs, Navajo domes, twisting narrows and two springs.

The Chimney Rock Trail features a wide range of geologic exposure along the west side of the Waterpocket Fold

Wingate Sandstone, which comprises the massive cliffs over Chimney Rock Canyon, formed during the early Jurassic period (144 to 208 M years ago) in an environment that resembles today's Sahara Desert

Fremont Cottonwoods are host to tent caterpillars, which often defoliate the trees in the spring (though most trees will grow a new set of leaves by summer)

Chimney Rock Canyon is generally free of obstacles and easy to navigate, with only a few side canyons that are easy to identify

The wash in Upper Spring Canyon is an intermittent stream that can be completely dry throughout the summer, and deep and iced-over throughout the winter

Desert Varnish is comprised of clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese and / or iron, as well as other particles such as sand grains and trace elements

Silt and mudstone mounds extend from the base of Chimney Rock into open desert at the trailhead

Black volcanic boulders in Spring Canyon likely came from Thousand Lakes Mountain west of the park, carried here by debris flows triggered in part by glacial retreat

Though scenic, there's little suitable camping terrain in Chimney Rock Canyon; you'll find much better terrain in Upper Spring Canyon just north of the junction

Desert springs are critical to local wildlife, and these rare microhabitats are very fragile; avoid unnecessary contact and tread lightly in the vicinity

Capitol Reef's elevation gradient results in greater precipitation from the south to north ends of the park

The high walls of Chimney Rock and Spring canyons provide a measure of heat and sun relief, but can also create uncomfortably cool conditions once the sun goes down