In the dry canyon country that is southern Utah, Coyote Gulch is the definition of the desert oasis. Some might even be tempted to call it paradise. Lush vegetation and deciduous trees mix with the sandstone rock, the length of Coyote Gulch, creating at times almost a jungle feel.
In this photograph, captured between Fortymile Ridge and Jacob Hamblin Arch, the canyon’s perennial stream reflects the sunrise on a sandstone pillar above the canyon’s edge. As the scenery might suggest this site makes a good choice for a campsite.
Coyote Gulch, part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, can be accessed via four different trailheads. The first trailhead is located off a small spur road that branches east from Hole-in-the-Rock Road at milepost 30. South of that at milepost 33, a side branch of Coyote Gulch, known as Hurricane Wash can be accessed directly from the road. Farther south at mile 35 is another road that leads 7 miles to the Fortymile Ridge (also known as Crack in the Wall) trailhead. About half way down this road is the Hamblin Arch Trailhead, which is generally used as a exit point because of the steep nature of the climb out. If you intend to drive all the way to Fortymile Ridge keep in mind there are sections of deep sand that are not suitable for low clearance vehicles.
Stevens Arch, which is just downstream of Coyote Gulch and the the Fortymile Ridge Trailhead offers an added highlight to a backpacking trip in this region.
National Park Service: Website
Canyons of the Escalante Hiking Guide (NPS)
Suggested Reading:
Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau – Mike Kelsey
Canyons of the Escalante – Trails Illustrated Map – National Geographic
Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region – Ron Adkison