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!
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| Our morning started off with a beautiful sunrise |
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| This was our "close to perfect" campsite . . . great views, no wind & free! |
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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) |
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| Delicate flowers growing on a shrub . . . Brownplume Wirelettuce |
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| The trail started out sandy . . . |
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and then transitioned to slickrock . . .
We used the rock cairns to guide us 2.25 miles to the canyon's edge |
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| Coyote Gulch is somewhere out there! |
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Ahh . . now it's starting to make sense . . .
The canyon walls are the deep shadows in the middle of the picture |
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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 |
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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" |
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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! |
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| Upon our descent into Coyote Gulch . . . Jacob Hamblin Arch greeted us! |
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We meandered along the canyon floor using trails and the stream . . .
It would be hard to get lost |
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| Colorful Juniper berries |
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| It was so serene walking through Coyote Gulch |
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| A touch of Fall color |
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| Swiss Cheese Falls |
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| There was something different around every corner |
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We carefully skirted around these pools . . .
I'm sure a dip would be in order on a hot summer day |
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| This area was called "The Squeeze" and was waist deep |
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| When a stream carves out an arch it is called a natural bridge |
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| Coyote Natural Bridge |
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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 |
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| I'm not sure why it's called Black Lagoon . . . it's quite pretty |
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| Time for a quick selfie |
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| The stream was the perfect temperature |
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| Heading back upstream through Coyote Natural Bridge . . . |
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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! |
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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.
