Coyote Gulch - Escalante Utah
Intro:
There's something about a long, dusty gravel road that just screams adventure ahead. Hole-in-the-Rock Road definitely set the tone: 33 miles of rattling washboards and wide open desert. We bounced our way to Hurricane wash trailhead, backpacks stuffed and grins locked in, ready to disappear into one of Utah’s most beautiful gems - Coyote Gulch.
This was a trip about chasing arches, wading through cool creek water, and trading cell signals for canyon echoes. Three days, two nights, a whole lot of sand in my shoes - and 100% worth it.
Watch the video for the full 3-day experience through Coyote Gulch.
Trip Basics:
Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument / Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Permit required: Yes for overnight (free) - pickup at trailhead or the Escalante interagency visitor center
Trailhead: Hurricane Wash (Entry/Exit for us)
Date: April 9-11, 2025
Best time to go: Spring and Fall (temps are manageable & stream flow was good in April)
Mileage: ~26 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 20+ miles round-trip depending on your entry/exit points (e.g., Hurricane Wash, Red Well or Crack-in-the-Wall)
Elevation Gain: Minimal overall (it’s a canyon hike)
Terrain: Sandy washes, river walking
Water Crossings: Repeated wading in the creek (ankle to calf-deep) can be tiring
Navigation: Not overly complex, but can be tricky in low light or less-trafficked areas
Camping: Dispersed, no designated sites - so some skill on LNT (Leave No Trace) and backcountry camping is needed.
Day 1: Into the Gulch we go
After a quick last-minute gear shuffle, we locked up the car, tightened our packs, and stepped onto the trail. The sun was already warming up the desert around us, and the first few miles stretched out in front of us like a giant, sandy welcome mat. No dramatic cliffs yet - just wide-open wash and the quiet buzz of excitement that only comes from knowing something epic is waiting just around the corner.
The first miles: Wide, dry desert - not the most thrilling, but the anticipation builds.
Around 5 miles in: The walls start to rise and suddenly - boom - you're hiking through a mini canyon.
Water crossings: Start shallow but steady (ankle deep mostly). Sandals or water shoes would be helpful, but not necessary. I wore my trail running shoes and brought sandals to change into at camp.
Big wins:
Seeing Jacob Hamlin Arch for the first time - like walking into a giant sandstone amphitheater.
Great camp spot, with arch and water nearby.
Sore feet, but happy hearts.
Day 2:
After a relaxed morning at camp, we packed up and headed downstream to see what else Coyote Gulch had in store for us.
Natural bridge, mini waterfalls, narrow sculpted slots - it's sensory overload in the best way.
We didn't really have a plan.. which turned out to be perfect.
Top moments:
Wading barefoot through cool creek water in mid-day heat.
Having lunch at Coyote Natural bridge.
Taking a swim at cliff arch waterfall.
Just not being in a rush, exploring and enjoying the stunning canyon scenery.
Day 3: The Sandy Slog Home
Packing up camp always has a bittersweet feeling to it—on one hand, the comfort of knowing we’ve had our fill of adventure and are heading back to civilization. But on the other hand, it’s tough to say goodbye to a place as magical as Coyote Gulch.
As we hit the trail, the energy was definitely different. The excitement of the first few days had faded, replaced by the steady shuffle of tired feet on the endless sand. It felt like every step took a little more effort, and that final stretch seemed to stretch on forever. It’s funny how the hike out always feels longer, isn’t it? The miles didn’t feel as majestic as they did when we were hiking in, and it’s easy to start daydreaming about the comforts of home. In our case, greasy cheeseburgers and milkshakes quickly became the top of the wish list.
Sure, our legs were sore, our feet a little raw from the sand, but the quiet sense of accomplishment was enough to push us through. We made it, with the landscape and memories forever etched in our minds.
Highlights:
Sunrise lighting up canyon walls - unbelievable colors.
The gear MVPs:
Sawyer squeeze water filter (worked flawlessly) filtering all that water we were guzzling down on those hot April days
The Helinox Zero camp chairs were so clutch (lightweight, comfortable after a long day of hiking)
Trail tips:
Bring shoes you don't mind getting wet and some sandals to change into at camp.
Try to start your hike early - midday sun is no joke.
Rope is not necessary for Hurricane wash TH (unless you plan on exploring crack-in-the-wall).
Respect the canyon - pack out every scrap of trash. Leave no trace.
You're in canyon country: check for flash flood warnings before you go.
Useful link:
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread..” -Edward Abbey
Thanks for visiting Ty Treks!
Keep on trekkin’ -Ty
