Hiking Coyote Gulch, Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah
36,356
Published 2020-07-20
There really isn't more bang for your buck that Coyote Gulch. Three arches - Jacob Hamblin Arch, Stephens Arch & Cliff Arch. One natural bridge - Coyote Natural Bridge. Three waterfalls (possibly more, depending on what you consider a waterfall). Incredible grottoes. Even a set of Indian ruins.
Coyote Gulch is best experienced as a multi-day backpacking trip. But that's not how I did it. But don't do what I do, do what I say. Because my judgment is questionable.
There are several ways to get into and out of Coyote Gulch: Forty Mile Ridge (aka Crack in the Wall), Water Tank (aka Jacob Hamblin Sneak Route), Red Well & Hurricane Wash. Despite this, I take a very specific route; I go in Forty Mile Ridge (Crack in the Wall) and out Water Tank (Jacob Hamblin). Why? Well, Crack in the Wall has a very, very long stretch of sand. Uphill sand. Miles of uphill sand. It would be absolutely miserable to hike up this bit, especially right at the end. Also, the route out at Jacob Hamblin is steep. Steep, regardless of your skill level. Most people prefer to take a rope (I'd say you'd need 100' or more?) because it's so steep. Personally, I prefer going up really steep routes instead of down. The last reason for this route is it takes you past all of the major features in the least amount of distance covered.
So yeah. Coyote Gulch. I've been here before and will be here again. It's absolutely incredible, and I can't recommend it enough.
Please note that I don't think I mentioned this in the video; permits are not required. You simply sign in at the trailhead.
All Comments (21)
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I love the reality vs. the romantic idea of it. thanks for making it real so I know what I'm getting into when I go there.
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So we just made that hike, backpack trip. Did like you said and entered from crack in the wall, we’re old, I’m 65, glad we hiked down in the sand. Great call! 👍🏼. We had just did buckskin 2 days ago, then peekaboo and spooky and drywash. So when we got down to the river we camped there, ( Tired as hell but slept good!) Then next day hiked up river, At the waterfall where you used the tree to get up with your pack on we had to both remove our packs and use rope to pull them up. Your a animal Jerry!. Stayed one more nite at Jacobs arch. Left at daybreak to climb out. My wife had to remove her pack to climb some of the steep part. Sure glad I had a rope with me for that part. We have hiked halfdome in Yosemite and I thought the steep part of the Jacob Trail was a bit harder. But I’m old so who knows. All was fun and loved the experience. Thanks for the inspiration my friend! We will keep watching and look forward to the next one. Also, You did that in a one day? holy crap batman! That’s awesome! Took this old man 3 days !
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Smart man coming down crack in the wall. What a beast of a climb out that was, but damn I am so grateful to have experienced this loop.
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my dad is taking me here tomorrow thanks for this so i will know what i’m expecting
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I often soaked my bandanna in cold water and also my straw hat. Worked well for a time. So much rock, loved Coyote.
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best freakin videos Jerry. Keep em coming. Not only funny but super informative and helpful- and some stunning shots! You've inspired me to come check out a lot of these places so thanks a ton
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Great footage of one of my favorite spots on earth.
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Great video, hope to make it there this year. You’ve got a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
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Such a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing
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Amazing hike, top notch video quality and production.
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Hi, my friend! I'm happy to write the first comment. Wow. What a beautiful place! If your shoes are full of dirt, it's proof that you walked rough. Wow... the waterfall suddenly makes my heart feel better. The geometrical canyon looks fantastic. You look majestic as you enter the gate of a large canyon. Always supporting you. like 4
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You made that a very long and difficult hike even harder. Glad you did not need the ambulance. In that heat doing that much distance, in those conditions, with a full pack, you could get heat exaustion.
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Such a well done video! Thanks for sharing this experience with us!
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This video is awesome, you captured that hike so well. Cracked me up, talking about you won't exit at Crack in the Wall, I said the same thing while going down there. That sneaker route is no joke! It took all my energy to climb up and pull my wife's and my backpack up, made the hike back to the trailhead real difficult.
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What a great hike!
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Yeah, NO! Don't change a thing. I love your channel the way it is.
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Outstanding video. Great production quality, very informative, good humor. I'm going there in 2 weeks so this was very helpful. Thanks!
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I backpacked Coyote Gulch with a friend in the mid '80's. We did a four day, five night from Red Well to the Escalante River and back. This was a very leisurely pace; it could have easily been done as an overnight or three day trip. It's still one of my most memorable backpack trips. A cool thing about the Red Well route is that you start out in fairly flat, nondescript looking desert, follow a wash a ways and then it stats turning into a canyon that quickly gets deeper and spectacular. Near the Escalante, at a viewpoint looking at Stephens Arch, I encountered and photographed the biggest Collared Lizard I have ever seen. It had a body length of around a foot, with about another foot of tail. Most others I have seen were probably no more than half that size.
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Love you personality and your videos 😅
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The Tacoma, you seeking a challenge and your appreciation for nature, is me. My pack is lighter, however. Your info is valuable. Thanks.
