{{Short description|Natural rock arch in Utah, US}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox landform | name = Hickman Natural Bridge | type = [[Rock arch]] | image = Hickman Bridge Capitol Reef National Park USA.jpg | caption = View of the bridge | pushpin_map = Utah | map_caption = Location in [[Utah]] | coordinates = {{coord|38.2913688|-111.2346135|type:landmark_region:US-UT|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name=gnis/> | pushpin_label = Hickman Bridge | pushpin_relief = | location = [[Capitol Reef National Park]], Utah | length = {{cvt|133|ft|m}} | length_km = | width = | width_km = | area_ref = | height = {{cvt|125|ft|m}} | elevation = {{cvt|5693|ft|m}} | elevation_ref = <ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|id=1454441|name=Hickman Natural Bridge}}</ref> }}
'''Hickman Natural Bridge''' is a 125-foot-tall (38 m) [[natural bridge]] located in [[Capitol Reef National Park]], [[Wayne County, Utah]], United States. The formation spans 133 feet (40 meters), making it one of the largest rock spans in the park.<ref name=parkcation>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park|website=Parkcation.com|access-date=July 12, 2023|url=http://www.parkcation.com/nationalparks/capitolreef/hickmanbridge/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Trail, Capitol Reef National Park|website=The American Southwest|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/capitol_reef/hickman_bridge.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge, Capitol Reef National Park|website=climb-utah.com|access-date=July 24, 2023|url=https://www.climb-utah.com/Capitol/hickman.htm}}</ref>
==Geology== The sandstone bridge was carved out of a geological formation known as the [[Kayenta Formation]] 65 million years ago, formed by flowing water coursing down the rock fin and eventually breaking through the soft shale. Large [[basalt]] and [[andesite]] boulders of volcanic origin were deposited by melting glacial debris flows from the cliffs of Boulder and Thousand Lakes mountains west of the park.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Natural Bridge - 2.05 miles|website=Protrails.com|access-date=October 2, 2023|url=https://www.protrails.com/trail/822/capitol-reef-national-park-hickman-natural-bridge|archive-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922053731/http://www.protrails.com/trail/822/capitol-reef-national-park-hickman-natural-bridge|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge – Capitol Reef National Park|website=Takeahike.us|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://takeahike.us/hickman-bridge/}}</ref> Hickman Bridge spans what is now a [[Arroyo (watercourse)|dry wash]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Hike|publisher=University of Utah|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://sed.utah.edu/cr-tou/stop2-5.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge and Navajo Knobs|website=Visit Utah.com|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://www.visitutah.com/Places-To-Go/Parks-Outdoors/Capitol-Reef/Must-See-Capitol-Reef/Great-Hikes/Hickman-Bridge-and-Navajo-Knobs}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Crnp moki closeup 041031.jpg|thumb|left|A granary constructed by the Fremont peoples]] Because of its close proximity to the [[Fremont River]], the Capitol Reef region was first settled by prehistoric [[Fremont people]], followed by the [[Paiutes]] between 300 and 1300 C.E.<ref name=npshistory>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Trail Guide|website=NPS History.com|access-date=July 26, 2023|url=http://npshistory.com/brochures/care/hickman-bridge-trail.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fremont Culture|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/fremont.htm}}</ref> [[Petroglyph]] panels as well as the remains of a [[granary]] and [[pithouse]] can be seen on the canyon walls and along the trail. [[File:Cover of map, with view under Hickman Bridge. (d12d3eb3-1d7b-41ab-8798-f9ac55a12efd).jpg|thumb|1958 travel brochure featuring Hickman Bridge on the coverpage]] [[Mormons]] settled the valley near the bridge in the 1880s and established nearby Junction (later renamed [[Fruita, Utah|Fruita]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=History & Culture|work=Capitol Reef National Park|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=February 24, 2010|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/index.htm}}</ref> After the region was federally protected in 1937, the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]], responsible for constructing the early infrastructure of the park, carved out the trail, and Hickman Bridge was later named after local school administrator Joseph Hickman, who was previously elected to the [[Utah State Legislature]] in 1924.<ref name=parkcation/><ref>{{cite web|title=Timeline of Capitol Reef National Park|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=October 2, 2023|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/timeline.htm}}</ref>
A significant [[rockfall]] occurred at the Hickman Bridge Trailhead on March 23, 2013, and the trail was closed upon discovery of the debris.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Trailhead Temporary Closures|publisher=National Park Service|date=March 10, 2014|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/news/hickman-bridge-repair.htm}}</ref> With the assistance of crews from nearby [[Canyonlands National Park]] and [[Rocky Mountain National Park]] in Colorado, the trail was realigned around the debris pile and officially reopened 6 months later in November.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Trail Reopens|publisher=National Park Service|date=November 29, 2013|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/news/hickman-bridge-trail-reopens.htm}}</ref>
==Ecology== Native to the southwestern United States, [[Utah Juniper|Utah juniper trees]] can be seen around the canyon throughout the trail. [[Mormon tea]], [[pinyon pine]] and [[prickly pear cactus]] are also abundant in the region.<ref name=npshistory/> Native animals such as [[bighorn sheep]] and [[mountain lions]] inhabit the area and occasionally pose a risk to hikers.
==Climate== Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Hickman Bridge. According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, it is located in a [[Cold semi-arid climate]] zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below {{convert|32|°F|°C|abbr=on}}, and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of annual rainfall, and winter snowfall is generally light.
==Access== The bridge can be accessed via a 1.8 mile out-and-back trail from the Hickman Bridge trailhead on [[Utah State Route 24]] near [[Torrey, Utah]]. The trail goes under and around the natural bridge, and is considered moderate difficulty by the [[National Park Service]] due to switchbacks and the trail length. The trail follows the [[Fremont River]] before entering the valley, and also gives access to the Rim Overlook Trail, Navajo Knobs Trail, [[Capitol Dome (Utah)|Capitol Dome]], and [[Navajo Dome]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hickman Bridge Trail|website=Alltrails.com|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/hickman-bridge-trail}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Trail Guide|work=Capitol Reef National Park|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=July 10, 2023|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/trailguide.htm}}</ref>
==See also== * {{Portal-inline|Utah}} * [[Colorado Plateau]] * [[Geology of Utah]] * [[Kayenta Formation]] * [[Capitol Reef National Park]]
==References== {{reflist|22em}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Natural arches of Utah]] [[Category:Capitol Reef National Park]]