Hiking Coyote Gulch - Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah

Coyote Gulch is an epic adventure and one of my all time favorite hikes. You get multiple stunning arches, natural bridges, a myriad of stream crossings (and hiking up the stream itself), squeezing through a crack in a cliff face and a climb up (or down) a class 5 slab with some serious exposure. Plus there's the slickrock navigation and sand walks to and from.

There are multiple itinerary options for Coyote Gulch, ranging from a long single day, to a single night or multi-night backpacking options.

I've always done it as a day hike, parking at the Stock Tanks along 40 Mile Ridge Road, then entering via Crack in the Wall and exiting by climbing out at Jacob Hamblin Arch.

While many choose to descend Jacob Hamblin, using a rope to descend and avoiding the exposure of a climb up, this means you then have to bring a rope (and retrieve it) and you have a 700 foot elevation gain up sand to get out at Crack in the Wall (and then an uphill sand walk along a sandy two-track back to the car).

This hike is special, and it's hard to put into words the supreme beauty it holds and the sense of wonder I feel every time I hike it. The soaring sandstone cliffs dwarf hikers, creating massive alcoves and overhangs. At other times, the canyon narrows down to where the base only gets an hour or less of daylight on the shorter days of the year).

Along the way are little side quests - hanging gardens, hidden pools, ancient ruins to spot in the cliffs.

On this hike, I only passed three other people (other than a group that was hiking out in the morning). The solitude only amplifies the splendor of this natural treasure.

Because daylight hours were limited, I didn't hang out at Jacob Hamblin Arch like I would have liked. But, if you've the daylight and time, be sure to stop and take it in.

This is one of the best hikes in Grand Staircase - Escalante, Utah. To get there, head down Hole in the Rock Road, and then turn onto 40 Mile Ridge Road. If you get to Dance Hall Rock, you've gone too far. The nearest outhouse is at Dance Hall Rock.

Things to note:
The climb out a Jacob Hamblin is no joke. It's low class 5 slab friction climbing (some call it class 4). A few of the key moves were quite sandy. Whether class 4 or class 5, a slip up means a long tumble down, with real risk of death or serious injury. I kept my approach shoes dry and switched into them for the climb out, and I also brought a helmet with me this time.

There is a single bolt at the top of the hardest section, so some people will choose to go in this way so they can rappel/hand line down. This means either retrieving your rope and carrying it with you or climbing back out the same way.

Be prepared - AllTrails says it's ~12.5 miles, but I logged 15.5 miles car to car (that includes some side quests). Bring enough food, water (or water purification) and correct clothing for a full day excursion. I've had friends pass people attempting this hike with a half liter (16 oz) of water and a granola bar.

If you're going to go up/down at Jacob Hamblin Arch, please be comfortable and capable of the climb/descent.

Carry a satellite communicator for emergencies. You'll not get cell service down in the gulch.

Permits - A permit is not required for a day hike, but is for an overnight.

Routes - There are multiple ways to see Coyote Gulch, including entrance/exit at Hurricane Wash, Jacob Hamblin Arch, Crack in the Wall, or continuing down past the confluence with the Escalante River (some folks will packraft all the way down to Lake Powell).

Leave no Trace - I found old tuna cans, pop bottles, other trash, and names carved into rocks. Please leave this special, beautiful and fragile place as good or better than you found it so we can all continue to experience it and the sense of wonder it can generate.

0:00 - Intro Trailer
0:28 - Starting hike at Stock Tanks parking
1:07 - Sandy road walk
2:11 - 40 Mile Ridge Trailhead
3:54 - Slick rock section to Crack in the Wall
5:13 - Arriving Crack in the Wall
5:37 - Descending Crack in the Wall
6:57 - Lowering my pack
7:45 - Last section of the crack
8:43 - Base of Crack in the Wall
9:24 - Views down the sand slope to arches
9:49 - A note on the route
12:12 - Stevens Arch peekaboo
13:24 - First view of the stream
13:46 - Getting down to stream level + campsite
14:47 - First stream crossing
18:08 - Waterfall
21:04 - Ruins??
27:11 - Coyote Bridge
31:37 - Arriving Jacob Hamblin Arch
33:02 - Another side of Jacob Hamblin
35:58 - Preparing to climb out
36:31 - Bolt for tying off ropes/anchors
37:07 - Views back into the gulch
37:20 - Slick rock walk out
40:32 - Parking lot in sight
41:39 - Back to parking lot
41:55 - Hike debrief and recap
43:03 - Dinner views
43:15 - Halloween greetings!!!

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