{"id":4255,"date":"2016-02-02T00:29:56","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T00:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acrossutah.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=4255"},"modified":"2020-08-12T18:08:38","modified_gmt":"2020-08-12T18:08:38","slug":"coyote-gulch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.acrossutah.com\/wordpress\/coyote-gulch\/","title":{"rendered":"Hike Guide: Coyote Gulch (UP)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Coyote Bridge<\/p><\/div>\n

\"map_button\"<\/a>approx 14 Miles
\none-way<\/b><\/p>\n

Coyote Gulch<\/strong> is THE classic Escalante canyon and thus deservedly probably the most popular as well. A year-round stream flowing down through an entrenched canyon cascading over multiple waterfalls makes it a main draw in warmer months. Multiple impressive natural spans, evidence of a previous civilization and ample great camping spots make it popular almost year round. In part due to the popularity, it’s now REQUIRED<\/strong> to carry and use WAG BAGS<\/strong> for doing your business in the canyon (despite there being two pit toilets located in the canyon.)<\/p>\n

One can hike down canyon and into Upper Coyote Gulch by setting out via the Red Well TH<\/strong> or the Hurricane Wash TH<\/strong> both along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Alternately one can begin in Lower Coyote Gulch which can be accessed via the Crack-in-the-Wall TH<\/strong> at the end Forty Mile Ridge Road or via longer thru-hike routes like the Hayduke Trail<\/strong><\/a>. A final option is to park at the Water Tank about 2\/3 of the way out Forty Mile Ridge Road and either go cross-country to mid-Hurricane Wash or use the scramble route to mid-canyon near Jacob Hamblin Arch (not recommended for beginners or anyone afraid of heights\/falling!)<\/p>\n

Here is my description headed UP the canyon from the Escalante all the way up to the Hurricane Wash Trailhead. Or, if you plan to hike it the other direction, click here to view the alternate description<\/a> for those going DOWN Coyote Gulch.<\/p>\n

Lower Coyote Gulch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations you are at the Escalante River and ready to go up an amazing canyon! If you have come down the Escalante, you’ve already marveled at Stevens Arch<\/strong> hanging high above the river and possibly even hiked up the route to get inside the great arch<\/a>. If you got to this point via Crack-in-the-Wall, take time to go up river a ways to see the incredible view. If time permits even explore around the bend and into Lower Stevens Canyon. There is an alternate route back Lower Coyote if you wish to make a loop and take in an incredible viewpoint across from Stevens Arch. More about this option can be found on the Stevens Arch page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Digression aside and headed up Coyote Gulch: The stream from Coyote Gulch somewhat unceremoniously meets the Escalante. However, headed upstream the scenery immediately improves as the stream passes towering streaked walls before soon arriving at a rock\/log jam which one must get past:<\/p>\n

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Lower Coyote Gulch obstacle and ledge bypass<\/p><\/div>\n

There are several ways to do this, but IMHO the best route is immediately on the left (LUC — looking up canyon) by traversing a sloping slickrock ramp up past the obstacle. This method involves a bit of exposure<\/strong> which may give some pause (especially if traversing in wet\/slick shoes.) The ledge can be seen above and in more photos in the gallery below. Nearby routes climb higher, but all involve a a tricky spot or two. Those comfortable with walking on slickrock may pass this point without even noticing.\u00a0 Reportedly at times a “rabbit hole” passage allows hikers to go right up through the rock obstacle, but that seemed to no longer be the case in 2018. If one really wants to avoid this spot, it’s possible to take the “high water alternate<\/strong>” route which\u00a0bypasses lower Coyote Gulch completely and is described on the Stevens Arch page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just up from the obstacle one will notice a well-worn route up a sand dune on the left. This is the trail up to the Crack-in-the-Wall exit route which leads to the TH at the end of the Forty Mile Ridge Road. Check out my old video of that route<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not more than 1\/2 mile up canyon one will see a bench with a few cottonwood trees on the right side of the stream which make for a good camp spot. Here one can turn around and see Stevens Arch on the skyline. This is also the location where aforementioned “high water” alternate route connects via the northern side. That route climbs up and follows the Kayenta rock ledges downcanyon to a dramatic view across from the arch as well the less-used route down to the Escalante River via a side canyon to the north.<\/p>\n

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entrenched Lower Coyote Gulch<\/p><\/div>\n

After this spot the canyon narrows and bit and becomes strewn with rocks. Signs of floods rushing through the canyon are evident and serve as a reminder one needs to always be aware of current weather conditions (especially those upstream). Camping in the Lower Coyote Gulch is not recommended unless you are well up on a bench.<\/p>\n

Soon the canyon begins to widen up a bit and take on a different feel. Ahead you will see a rolling cascade which marks the beginning of the next section of the canyon.<\/p>\n

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