Backpacking Coyote Gulch - Utah's Best Desert Backpacking Trip

Backpacking Coyote Gulch
In Utah's Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument

Coyote Gulch is an absolute gem of a canyon, and anyone who's hiked through this desert oasis would agree that it's an absolute must do for backpacking in Utah. Towering canyon walls, arches, massive alcoves, native history and waterfalls that make this canyon unlike anything else in the Escalante region. So if you're looking at hiking through Coyote Gulch, the answer of whether to go or not, is a resounding yes! But with that said, because of its popularity, there's some critical things to know to help reduce your impact during your visit. 

This report will walk through options for hiking Coyote Gulch, Permit Requirements, Rules, Leave No Trace, and other important info for an awesome experience in this canyon. 

HELPFUL GEAR FOR HIKING COYOTE GULCH:

• Backcountry Exposure Aven Roll-Top Food Bag
• Backcountry Exposure Mesa XL Food Bag
• Backcountry Exposure Little Ditty
• Backcountry Exposure Mesa Packing Cubes
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
  
• Cooking Pot
• Cooking Stove
• Sun Shirt
• OnX Backcountry Mapping & Navigation App

HIKING OPTIONS & TRAILHEADS:

• Crack In The Wall | Sneaker Route Loop (Most Popular)
• Hurricane Wash to Crack In The Wall (Longest - Shuttle Required)
• In and Out Sneaker Route/Water Tank Trail (Shortest)
• Red Well to Crack In The Wall (Red Well is least used access into Coyote)

Crack In The All | Sneaker Route Loop: About 11 Miles

This is by far the most popular route for hiking Coyote Gulch, and it can be done with one car, parked at one of two trailheads (depending on your vehicle). You can park at the Water Tank Trailhead or at the Crack In The Wall (40 Mile Ridge) Trailhead. If you are parking at the Crack In The Wall Trailhead, be aware that deep, loose sand can easily get you stuck and it's advised to have high clearance and 4WD if going beyond the Water Tank. 

This hike, starting from Crack In The Wall Trailhead makes a subtle descent down a sandy trail before getting to some rolling slick rock where you'll follow rock cairns to the upper rim of the canyon that overlooks the lower section of Coyote Gulch with Stevens Arch above the Escalante River in the distance. It's quite the sight. From here you'll work your way down the narrow crack, lowering your pack by rope as necessary and then hiking down the steep, massive sand dune to eventually enter the bottom section of Coyote. 

From here you will walk up stream for several miles past water falls, alcoves, and arches and eventually come to the famous Jacob Hamblin Arch. The alcove at the base of the arch is one of the most awe inspiring sights of any desert canyon i've seen. It's a must capture with your camera. 

The exit out of the canyon from here is just down stream from Jacob Hamblin Arch, and is known as the sneaker route. This exit requires a scramble up a steep slickrock ramp, that in some cases, depending on your experience and comfort, may require a rope. (It's my understanding that a fixed rope is not in place by default, nor are there anchors for a rope, so use any rope that may be in place with caution.) Please exercise caution in trusting any rope that was not set by yourself.

Once you've made it to the top of the steep ramp, and out the canyon, you will simply follow social trails and rock cairns to make your way back to the car. The trail you choose to follow will be determined by which of the two trailheads you've parked at. It's a smart choice to have the map of the area downloaded on your phone, or a paper map to help you navigate through this section of the hike. 

**Alternate Route Option: You can certainly hike this loop in reverse of what's described above. Your descent into the canyon at Jacob Hamblin Arch should be done with caution, being mindful of loose rocks and understanding that there are hikers below you. Never kick rocks or throw rocks down into the canyon.

Going in reverse and walking down stream/down canyon from Jacob Hamblin Arch is beautiful and a worthwhile option. Just also know the hike up the sand dune to crack in the wall is tough and harder than you think it will be. 

Hurricane Wash to Crack In The Wall: About 15 Miles

Another wonderful way to experience Coyote Gulch is to do a point to point hike that starts at Hurricane Wash and hikes down canyon to exit at Crack In The Wall. This option requires a shuttle of two cars, with one parked at Crack In The Wall/40 Mile Ridge and the other at Hurricane Wash TH. 

The section of hiking from Hurricane Wash to the confluence with Coyote Gulch is straightforward and pretty simple. You'll be walking down the canyon for a few miles and the walls will get deeper and deeper as you walk. Eventually joining with Coyote Gulch 1.5 miles above Jacob Hamblin Arch. This makes for a good day 1 of hiking with several great campsites near Jacob Hamblin Arch. 

From here simply continue down the main section of Coyote, check out the Escalante River at the end, and then exit via Crack In The Wall up the sand dune. 

In and Out Sneaker Route/Water Tank Trail: About 6 miles + Day Hikes

I often hear of folks checking out Coyote Gulch as a day hike or a simple overnight backpacking trip by this route. This has a minimum of just under 6 miles round trip. You'll park your car at the Water Tank Trailhead and walk the 2 miles to where the route funnels to the steep slick rock ramp described above that's near Jacob Hamblin Arch. Please note the information above about the "sneaker route" and use of a rope and trusting of other ropes that may have been set. 

This is a nice option for doing a quick overnight trip with camping near the arch and then day hiking down stream to check out Coyote Natural Bridge, Pictograph/Artifact sites, and experience some of the heart of Coyote Gulch. Your exit for this is out the way you came in. 

Red Well to Crack In The Wall: About 17 Miles

I'd argue that this is the least popular way to hike Coyote. Starting at the Red Well Trailhead has you hiking the full length of Coyote from the top all the way to the Escalante River. The section of canyon before it connects with Hurricane Wash has potential to be brushy and harder to hiker through, and water will be more scarce. But it's an option to enjoy some of the canyon with far less people and say that you've hiked the entire length of Coyote Gulch. 

PERMITS/REQUIREMENTS/RULES:

Due to the popularity of this canyon, a permit is required and can be obtained at the Escalante Interagency Center in the town of Escalante, or at the major trailheads. 

WAG Bags Required: Proper disposal of human waste is critical to reducing the impact we have on these natural spaces. Because of the number of people who visit this canyon and the use of the same campsites by everyone, WAG Bags are required to carry out your human waste. Do not dig cat holes and poop into cat holes or burry your toilet paper within Coyote Gulch. 

Dogs Not Allowed: Dogs are not allowed in Coyote Gulch!

Fires Not Allowed: Fires are not allowed in Coyote Gulch nor in the Escalante River Canyon. 

Group Size Limit: Your group may not exceed 12 people. 

General Respect For Other Hikers: This one is so important. When I say this canyon is popular, it's not an understatement. During the Spring and Fall months, it's not uncommon to see dozens of cars at the major trailheads, and dozens of people in the canyon at one time. Please respect other hikers by following Leave No Trace, pack out your trash, pack out your human waste, and be mindful of your impact. And certainly DO NOT vandalize the canyon walls or ancestral sites. 

BEST TIME TO HIKE: March-May, September-November

Spring and Fall months are ideal for Coyote when temperatures are a little more mild and bugs are less of an issue. Up high above the canyon it can be very hot, so it's important to mindful of how much water you have and to ensure you're staying hydrated. 

WATER AVAILABILITY:

While Coyote Gulch has running water through the main section of the canyon from Jacob Hamblin Arch to the Escalante River, i'd be cautious in drinking the water running in the main stream. Why do I say that? The main reason is because of the number of people who are in the canyon each year, and a higher level of contamination due to the narrow canyon, people who do not follow rules for human waste disposal, etc. 

It's recommended to collect drinking water from several of the natural springs coming out the canyon walls. There is a great spring just below Jacob Hamblin Arch on the left side when facing down canyon. There is also an unreliable spring near Coyote Natural Bridge, and then another reliable spring just before the climb out/in for the Crack in the Wall. 

Always filter your drinking water. My favorite is the Sawyer Squeeze.

HIKING COYOTE GULCH IN NOVEMBER 2022: