Apricots Ripe At Capitol Reef CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK Apricot picking started July 6 at Capitol Reef National Park. It looks as if there will be a good crop this year although ripening is uneven in the different orchards. Superintendent Derek O. Hambly announced that starting Monday, July 6, and continuing until the apricots are all harvested, designated orchards will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The apricots are available on a "pick your own" basis. Pickers are requested to please bring their own ladders. Part of the apricots are high in the trees and climbing in the trees is not permitted for safety purposes and to minimize tree damage. Pickers should also bring their own containers or boxes. The price is $5.00 per bushel. Pickers should check at the visitor center or with a park ranger to And out which orchards are open for harvest. Some cherries are still available for picking although they are in the upper parts of the trees. Park visitors should ask the rangers or orchard men which trees have the most cherries.