Duncan Creek

When Kent and I decided to start this Blog, we not only wanted to preserve our memories, but to pique the interest of others.  It's always fun to share our adventures with friends.  Not long ago, Ron and Judy mentioned they'd like to go on a hike with us.  We'd also been trying to plan an outing with Dan and Lorene (also from church), so we invited them along as well.  Fortunately, for us, it worked out that everyone was available!

After reading Jesse McMullin's ("Mr. Tushar!") article on the West Fork of Merchant Creek, it sounded like the Duncan Creek Trail might be ideal for all of us.  It would get us into the Tushar's and provide a gentle sloping trail that meandered through aspen forests and would cross several small streams.  Unfortunately, most of the leaves had peaked and fallen, but that didn't stop us from enjoying good friendship and a beautiful Fall day!

Starting out on the Duncan Creek Trail

Hiking in the higher elevations caused us to stop and catch our breath . . .
but it also provided time for good conversations!

We crossed over several small streams along the trail

Many held the remnants of the beautiful Fall day

It's been a dry summer and most of the aspens have already shed their leaves 

This is the first time we have hiked together . . . 
it was fun to have "Uncle Ron" share some stories about 
the good ol' days with us!

Duncan Creek

Time to enjoy the warmth of the Fall sunshine and a quick snack . . .
Do you see the bear trying to listen in on our conversation? 
Just kidding, it's a remnant from a forest fire!

Dan and Lorene lead the way . . . as we headed back to meet up with Ron & Judy

It's only 2 miles and it's all downhill to the car!

Even though most of the trees have shed their leaves,
it was still a great day to be outdoors

Coyote Gulch

About three years ago, we were watching a segment of Across Utah and were stunned by the images of a place called Coyote Gulch.  We knew, if it were possible, we wanted to check this place out for ourselves.  In order to complete Coyote Gulch as a day hike you must travel forty miles (one-way) on dusty, sandy washboard roads, camp in the middle of nowhere, hike across slickrock following only rock cairns, and then descend a canyon wall using a rope for assistance.  Once down in the canyon, then you can truly enjoy the majesty of this place known as Coyote Gulch.  If you are fortunate to complete this hike, we guarantee it will give you a well deserved sense of satisfaction of accomplishing something special!

Our morning started off with a beautiful sunrise

This was our "close to perfect" campsite . . . great views, no wind & free!

We started the hike at Water Tank Trailhead . . . also known as the "Sneaker Route" . . .
(Sneaker Route because it cuts miles off any of the other trails and takes you to, 
arguably, some of the most scenic portions of the canyon)

Delicate flowers growing on a shrub . . . Brownplume Wirelettuce

The trail started out sandy . . . 

and then transitioned to slickrock  . . . 
We used the rock cairns to guide us 2.25 miles to the canyon's edge

Coyote Gulch is somewhere out there!

Ahh . . now it's starting to make sense . . .
The canyon walls are the deep shadows in the middle of the picture

If you followed the rock cairns correctly, they will lead you to the "White Bird"
. . . which is actually a unique stain on the canyon wall

Kent descended first using the rope that someone had placed there . . .
100 feet and a 45 degree decline . . . slightly sketchy!

If you try this hike, don't count on a rope always being present . . . 
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area says to practice "Leave No Trace"

It is said you can make this descent/ascent without the assistance of a rope . . .
We were prepared to try it without one . . . 
However, we both admit we were glad to see one firmly tied in place!

Upon our descent into Coyote Gulch . . . Jacob Hamblin Arch greeted us!

We meandered along the canyon floor using trails and the stream . . . 
It would be hard to get lost

Colorful Juniper berries

It was so serene walking through Coyote Gulch

A touch of Fall color

Swiss Cheese Falls

There was something different around every corner

We carefully skirted around these pools . . .
I'm sure a dip would be in order on a hot summer day

This area was called "The Squeeze" and was waist deep

When a stream carves out an arch it is called a natural bridge

Coyote Natural Bridge

Shortly after leaving Coyote Natural Bridge we took a side canyon . . . 
This led us to an alcove with hanging gardens known as the Black Lagoon

I'm not sure why it's called Black Lagoon . . . it's quite pretty

Time for a quick selfie 

The stream was the perfect temperature

Heading back upstream through Coyote Natural Bridge . . .

Time to take a break before ascending the rope to the canyon rim . . . 
We need to switch shoes first . . . 
But our old water shoes sure came in handy for wandering the canyon floor!

8.5 miles later (RT for our hike) and we were back at the Water Tank . . . 
We were surprised to find water flowing into it . . . 
Such a welcome site in an arid land!

Click here for an interactive Google Map that shows trailheads and points of interest.

The Long Road to Forty Mile Ridge

We were headed into the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument to hike Coyote Gulch.  In order to get to Coyote Gulch one must travel forty miles down the infamous "Hole-in-the-Rock" road.  The actual Hole-in-the Rock is another twenty miles past Forty Mile Ridge turnoff and is where Mormon pioneers in 1880 cut a hole in the sandstone so they could get their wagons down to the Colorado River . . . a trip that was supposed to be made in six weeks took them nearly six months to complete!  You can still see the amazing feat of engineering these pioneers made in the sandstone cliffs overlooking Lake Powell if you continue on this very long washboard road . . . we did not!

We decided to break this long, dusty and arduous drive up by stopping at a few points of interest as we made the trek south of Escalante, Utah. The pictures below show two of our stops . . . Devil's Garden and Dance Hall Rock.  As you can see, we enjoyed a spectacular day as we explored these unique places.

Hole-in-the-Rock Road

Our first stop was Devil's Garden

Metate Arch is the tallest of the two arches in Devil's Garden

A great place for kids of all ages . . .  even Kent!

I have never seen such big fruit on Holly before

We followed the fun paths around these whimsical rock formations

The rock on the left looks like a bunny rabbit

Mano Arch appears to be missing a chunk

Out in the middle of nowhere . . . 
Is a natural sandstone amphitheater called Dance Hall Rock . . .
It received its name due to the great acoustics that allowed the pioneers to dance
and enjoy their fiddle music in this rock hollow back in 1880

Kent actually did his famous "Moon Walk" for me, sorry you missed it!

We walked around, up and over Dance Hall Rock . . .
 There were lots of pot holes . . . some with trees growing in them!

We found the perfect spot to set up camp on Forty Mile Ridge . . .
In preparation for the next day's hike of Coyote Gulch

We were treated to a glorious sunset . . .