{"id":10425,"date":"2020-01-30T21:50:14","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T21:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acrossutah.com\/wordpress\/?p=10425"},"modified":"2024-05-25T05:34:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T05:34:49","slug":"hike-guide-bull-valley-gorge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acrossutah.com\/wordpress\/hike-guide-bull-valley-gorge\/","title":{"rendered":"Hike Guide: Bull Valley Gorge"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bull Valley Gorge<\/strong> is an impressive slot canyon in Grand-Staircase\/Escalante National Monument<\/strong>\u00a0that is accessible via the Skutumpah Road<\/strong>. The canyon is deeper, more rugged, and less visited than its nearby “cousin” canyon\u00a0Willis Creek<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0which is just to the north. Bull Valley Gorge is somewhat infamous for being the location of a 1954 accident<\/strong> where three locals died after their truck slipped off the muddy road and plunged into the canyon. The vehicle got wedged in the upper heights of the slot and to this day the wreckage can still be seen dangling high in the canyon.<\/p>\n

*NOTE<\/strong>: in spring 2019 a partial collapse of the bridge over Bull Valley Gorge temporarily closed the road and created a blockage in the canyon below. It was reported that the truck wreckage fell at that time, but that was not the case. The 2019 collapse evidently dammed up the upper portion of the canyon and flooded it for a while. In the following years a new steel bridge was constructed and the debris back-up in the canyon below finally cleared out. Another rockslide occurred in late 2021 causing a back-up, but it too cleared out before long. Just note that the canyon continues to change and thus the following description may not reflect the latest conditions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bull Valley Gorge is possibly best experienced as a day hike as its rugged upper portion contains several small obstacles and is prone to being extremely muddy. However, for ambitious backpackers, it is possible to include BVG in a backpacking trip. One could do a loop with the aforementioned Willis Creek Narrows — this makes for a good overnighter. Thru hikers may also use the route to connect from the Bryce<\/strong> area to the Upper Paria<\/strong><\/a>. Though the Hayduke Trail<\/a><\/strong> officially goes up Willis Creek, some “Haydukers” are opting for this more adventurous route as an alternate. The description that follows is from TOP DOWN — thus the opposite direction for many Hayduke hikers. If using this route to connect to the Bryce area, see my ref map for how to follow an old road over the mesa north of the canyon. In 2021 I explored the upper portion of Bull Valley Gorge and though it contains some cool geology, in general it’s not as impressive as the lower part of the canyon. See my Bryce to Bears Ears<\/a><\/strong> report for more on this option.<\/p>\n

To begin the hike walk upstream (or westward) from the trailhead at the small parking area located on the north side of the canyon along the Skutumpah Road. Right away one can gaze down into the canyon. Though it’s difficult to see the bottom, one can see the “debris” bridge below the new steel bridge and the old wreckage in the shadows.<\/p>\n

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Bull Valley Gorge (before the new steel bridge)<\/p><\/div>\n

To get into the canyon, follow the rim for about another 1\/4 mile to where the slot portion of the canyon starts becoming more and more shallow. One soon arrives at the top of the slot where the canyon simply turns into a wash. The initial drop into the slot is hard to descend due to a dryfall and a persistent pool below. However backtrack about 50 yards to find a crack which leads to a moderate climb of about 10′ down to the canyon floor. See photos in gallery below for reference.<\/p>\n

Once in the canyon head downstream and the canyon walls will quickly grow higher and close in. If it’s early in the season or after a storm one is likely to encounter quite a bit of mud\/pools in this upper section. At times it can be a real mud-soup mess:<\/p>\n

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log\/mud soup in early spring<\/p><\/div>\n

Within less than 1\/4 mile one is likely to encounter a few obstacles<\/strong> in the way of chockstones\/boulder\/logs. Depending on the conditions, these boulder\/log jams can range from moderate to very difficult and a rope might be required.<\/p>\n

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obstacle in upper Bull Valley Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n

Around a few more bends one will pass under the bridge and the wreckage above. This is arguably the deepest and darkest portion of the canyon.<\/p>\n

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under the wreckage<\/p><\/div>\n

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deep portion near bridge<\/p><\/div>\n

Below the bridge the canyon stays fairly narrow and deep for the next 1\/2 mile or so. After that it opens up a bit and according to guidebook-author Kelsey<\/strong> there are a few scramble routes which one can use to climb out of the canyon. I personally have only found\/hiked one such route on the south side of the canyon. It’s a steep climb up a gully filled with loose rocks. It’s not easy, but it’s not that bad and there’s no real exposure. Note that at least one popular online guide incorrectly shows the exit gully as farther downstream (see my map for precise location.) IMHO if one is just doing a day hike I’d suggest turning around and going back up the canyon instead of attempting a loop via the scramble route. BUT… it is nice to know that the alternate route out exists for those coming up from the bottom if they should happen to encounter impassable obstacles. Here are two photos looking up at the route:<\/p>\n

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There are a few more narrow spots as one continues down the canyon.<\/p>\n

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middle Bull Valley Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n

Then after about 4 miles the canyon really opens up and the inner canyon\/wash is surrounded by the impressive White Cliffs set farther back. This landscape continues for a mile or so.<\/p>\n

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lower Bull Valley Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n

After approximately 7 miles from the trailhead the canyon gets narrow once again for one last impressive bend.<\/p>\n

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very bottom of Bull Valley Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n

After that short dramatic finale, Bull Valley Gorge opens up as it ends at the confluence of Sheep Creek<\/strong>. Looking back at the end of the canyon:<\/p>\n

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Bull Valley Gorge exit to Sheep Creek<\/p><\/div>\n

From here… turn around to return to the trailhead or… head up canyon to the Willis Creek Narrows<\/a><\/strong> or downcanyon to the Upper Paria<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Gallery:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t