- Estimated Cost: $400
- Deposit: $50
- Max Trip Size: 4 people
Join me for a moderate to difficult loop backpacking trip in remote canyon areas of southern Utah. This is not a beginner trip.
This area of Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are full of geological, natural, and historical features that invite exploration. Coyote Gulch is a very popular canyon and is worth a trip alone considering all the arches and water falls that you can see.
The plan is to leave Las Vegas early on the morning of the 13th
It is critical to be able to get there so that we can hike into the Gulch about 4-5 miles to find a camping site and then we can enjoy the SOLAR ANNULAR ECLIPSE on the morning of the 14th. We can expect to encounter many people in Coyote Gulch; this will make experiencing the eclipse so much more fun.
We will finish the canyon down to the Escalante River visit Stevens Arch and then start ascending that Canyon.
My ideal route will bring us over to the Water Pocket Fold of southern Capital Reef, and then circle back through Moody Canyons. We can adjust if needed. We’ll be backpacking for 7 nights, back to Las Vegas on October 20th so we can catch an afternoon or evening flight. We follow routes rather than trails, there is climbing, but nothing technical.
Risks include exposure to cliffs, possible rattlesnakes and scorpions although they tend to be less active in the fall, flashfloods also tend to be rare in the fall. Inconveniences include river crossings although usually not difficult, mud, areas of bushwhacking in some areas of the canyons, as well as the requirements to carry WAG bags for solid waste while in Coyote Gulch. Since we will only spending 1 night there I am hoping we won’t have to use them as you don’t want to have to carry that for 7 days! Challenges include finding and carrying water, route finding, although most of these areas have been visited before and there are reports online that are useful as well as information available at the Interagency Center. There are reliable water sources in Coyote and Stevens, but it may require planning between these areas.
Hiking poles strongly recommended because of quicksand around the Escalante River and to assist with river crossing. I usually carry a bit of rope in case we need to lower or raise packs over a steep area to make it easier to climb or descend without the pack on your back..
I have camped both with and without a tent, it is probably better to bring a tent in case of the rain or if it is cold at night; it can snow in the area. Temperatures are usually in the 70s in the day if 40s or 50s in the evening but this can change and I will be watching the weather just before I leave. There definitely will be some vertical exposure in areas but I will not be doing anything requiring expertise.
Because of the water crossings, it is probably better to use hiking boots without Gortex, they will quickly dry out in the desert climate, but some people do elect to take the boots off and cross in bare feet or sandals.
Web sites worth looking at:
https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/coyote-gulch.htm
http://www.acrossutah.com/wordpress/coyote-gulch/
http://www.acrossutah.com/wordpress/?p=4634
and on YouTube many videos especially those by Jamal Green that highlight some of the challenges of the routes.
Individual costs: airfare, food, WAG bags (order online or pick up in Escalante) – backcountry permits are free.
Group costs: car rental, gasoline, camp fuel, a few gallons of water. Flight costs are individual. Please contact me if you’re interested.