Coyote Gulch in Southern Utah is one of many quintessential red rock canyons of the Escalante River drainage. Containing several natural arches, natural bridges, petroglyphs, cascades, waterfalls, and pure beauty, Coyote Gulch is one of the most scenic canyons in Utah. Coyote Gulch could be hiked in one day, but why rush? With all that the canyon has to offer, plan on spending at least one night minimum backpacking. Two nights will really allow you to take in the massive canyon walls, sparkling stream, and breathtaking scenery.
About
The hardest part about heading to Coyote Gulch? The drive down Hole in the Rock Road out of Escalante. A small compact car can make it, as did my Sonata, but even though its only 40 miles to the Coyote Gulch Short Cut trailhead, it took my car two and a half hours to arrive. This is because Hole in the Rock Road is heavily used, which creates a washboard road, and forces small cars to drive 15-20 MPH. A few of my friends drove a 4×4 car down, and it only took them about 45 minutes down the road to the trailhead. Keep in mind that during or after a rainstorm, Hole in the Rock Road and the trailhead turn off may be impassable.
There are two popular trailheads for hiking into Coyote Gulch – Hurricane Wash and Crack in the Wall (off Fortymile Ridge Road). Starting from Hurricane Wash will require an 8 mile trek in with no water and in a sandy trail. Crack in the Wall is another good route, but requires people (and their packs) to fit through an 18 inch wide “crack”, before reaching the main trail. There is a lesser know, and much shorter route called either the Short Cut or Water Tank route. We decided to take this trail since it’s only 2 miles in to the bottom of Coyote Gulch. However, this route requires small scrambling down a 100 ft slickrock face. Only sure-footed hikers and those not afraid of heights should attempt this route. A 150 ft rope will be very handy for helping hikers and their packs up this route upon exit. Do not count on a rope being available for you!
FAQs
How do I get a permit, and how much does it cost?
Can I bring my dog?
Is this a good trail for my kids?
How many nights do you recommend staying in the canyon?
Where can I camp?
Directions
From Escalante, UT head east on HWY 12 for 5 miles. Turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road. Immediately reset your odometer to 0. Cross several cattle guards. At 36.0 miles, turn left onto the signed Fortymile Ridge Road. At 39.8 miles veer left up to the water tank. Drive another 0.2 miles to reach the TH at the Water Tank (see maps at end of post).
Day 1
We drove down from SLC after work, and arrived at the TH around midnight. Quickly set up camp, and got about 5 hours of sleep. We woke up at 5:30am Friday morning, and got out gear together, and started hiking at 7am. This was taken just before sunrise on the west side of the water tank, in the parking lot. There is actually water in this tank, I think for the cattle in the area.
Just before getting on the trail, the early morning light was too good to pass for a photo op!
Got my pack ready to go!
Tip: Bring water shoes that don’t allow rocks or sand to get inside the shoe. You will be hiking in water most of the time.
For a list of what I usually bring, click here.
I fully upgraded my pack and tent! Check out my new Waymark Gear Co ultralight pack here.
Starting out the trail cut through this sage field for about 3/4 mile.
Once you get to the slickrock, follow the cairns. You will be hiking to the west of that hill. If you get yourself on the east side, you are going the wrong way.
Several desert flowers were in bloom!
CJ leads the way over the slickrock.
The cairns should take you past this Lone Rock (rock to the right), that looks out of place by looking at its geology. It almost looks like an ancient volcano rock.
At about 1.8 miles you will start to see that there is a canyon ahead of you – this is the canyon you will hike down into.
What you want to look for, is the large white “U” or wing-shaped figure across the canyon wall. This is where the short cut route leads you down into the canyon. It’s the only spot in the canyon, that is doable for hiking down. Just to the left is Jacob Hamblin arch – but you can’t quite tell until you are further down this hill.
Working our way down, the guys led the way, and sometimes had to hike down facing the slickrock. At times, we had to drop our packs down to the next person because the weight of our packs was throwing us off balance.
Waiting for our group to get down the steep section.
The last piece of the steep section requires a little scrambling. With someone at the base of this part, you can get some help down easier.
Finally down in the canyon!!! It took us 1 hour 15 minutes to reach this point. We literally picked the first large campsite we found, so we could fit all 12 people in one site. Our campsite was just across the stream and to the left.
Half of our group sets up camp. The other half of our group arrived an hour later. We were able to get this campsite at around 8:30am.
Once you get down the steep hill, if you head left towards Jacob Hamblin arch, there is a natural spring on the right hand side of the canyon, that is perfect for getting more water to filter. There is less silt and dirt, which makes it faster to filter.
After setting up camp, we hiked around the bend to Jacob Hamblin Arch (the water spring is on the right side of this photo).
The canyon walls were so big!
On the opposite side of Jacob Hamblin Arch, with the morning light coming through the arch.
Another view of Jacob Hamblin Arch, with the alcove above us.
We turned around at this tree (roughly 2 miles up stream from camp).
We then made our way back towards camp.
My friends walking ahead of me show how big the canyon is.
Once the sun rose above the canyon walls, it warmed up quickly and the water started to feel very refreshing.
Selfie!
Under one of the big alcoves in Coyote Gulch.
Day 2
On Day 2 (Saturday) we started hiking at 9am, since we knew we had a big day ahead of us. Our goal was to hike to the confluence of the Escalante River, and over to Steven’s Arch.
At Swiss Cheese Falls.
Around every corner was something even prettier!
Cutting through this small slot canyon.
My friend Margaret stands under Coyote Natural Bridge.
Part of the trail cut through very shaded sections, and it was a relief from the 75F heat. Although the creek looks deep, it was never more than ankle deep.
Coyote Gulch has several secret areas along the canyon, if you know where to look. One are these large petroglphys. I would like to keep some things hidden, and not open to vandalism, so I’m not telling where they are located.
Artifacts found in Coyote Gulch. Another secret spot!
Continuing down stream.
About halfway (3 miles from our camp) there is a section that starts to get rocky. This is where you will start to see waterfalls, cascades, and around this bend, Cliff Arch.
We reached Cliff Arch! Our first group photo with everyone.
Mini waterfall near Cliff Arch.
2nd large waterfall.
Another shot of Cliff Arch. The photo makes this arch look small, but it is actually really big!
Waterfall #3 – taking it all in!
Waterfall #4
This is another natural spring in Coyote Gulch, which also doubles as a small waterfall. Standing underneath this was one of my favorite moments in the canyon because the cold, clean water felt so refreshing after sweating for hours! This is a good place to refill water on the hike back to camp.
Waterfall #5. From these falls, you only have about 1.5 miles before reaching the confluence.
I really liked this part of the canyon – it just had a different feel that the upper canyon.
Just before reaching the confluence of the Escalante River, I took my shoes off and walked in the sandy water. It felt so good to walk barefoot!
It took us roughly 4.5-5 hours to reach the Escalante River. Once you reach it, turn left and hike up stream for about 0.2 miles until you see Steven’s Arch.
Just around the bend is Steven’s Arch! Half of our group decided to hike up to to, and stand underneath. There is a faint trail that leads up to it.
Trail Map
This is the Short Cut/Water Tank trail map looking NE.
This trail map shows a close up of how to get down the steep section.
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