Coyote Gulch
Southern Utah, Utah
Est. Hiking Distance: 12 miles ACA Rating: 1B VI Seasons: Year round Equipment: 100-foot rope Difficulties: 100-foot pitch of slickrock that ascends from the canyon floor at about 45 degrees USGS Topo Maps:
(7.5 Minute)King Mesa, Stevens Canyon South
General Information
The most challenging part of this hike is the climb out of Coyote Gulch near Jacob Hamblin Arch. The climb involves scrambling up a 100-foot pitch of slickrock that ascends from the canyon floor at an angle close to 45 degrees. A 100-foot length of rope is useful here for raising backpacks. A compass is also useful for the last part of the hike, which involves a 2-mile cross-country walk from the canyon rim back to Jacob Hamblin Trailhead. Sneakers or other wettable shoes are the most practical footwear inside the canyon, as you will frequently be required to cross the stream bed. Spring, summer, fall, winter. This area is very hot in the summertime and receives some snow in the winter. The best seasons for the hike are spring and fall. For current conditions call the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center at (435) 826-5499.
Getting There
From Escalante, Utah, continue on Highway 12 (southeast from Escalante) until you reach the Hole-in-the-rock and Coyote Gulch turnoff sign (if you are traveling on Utah Highway 24 and 12 to get to Coyote Gulch, you will reach the turnoff before Escalante). Depending on what route you are going to take (see Routes section below) you can travel on Hole-in-the-rock road for 38.8 miles or 45.5 miles. At the 38.8 mile mark (Lat: 37.38531 Lon: -111.13206) is Hurricane Wash and at the 45.5 mile mark (Lat: 37.36211 Lon: -111.11492) is the turnoff that says Fortymile Ridge Trailhead where you turn and travel northeast for 4.3 miles until you reach a small hill and turnoff. Over the hill is the trailhead sign and water tank!
Trail Guide
The two most common ways of geting into Coyote Guch is taking Hurricane Wash and hiking in 8 miles, or driving to the Fortymile Ridge Trailhead and hiking 2 miles into Coyote Gulch and arriving at Jacob Hamblin Arch. Though you can camp anywhere in the canyon, I've found that south of Jacob Hamblin Arch is a great place.
Taking the Hurricane Wash route is pretty simple. Parking right off the road when you reach Hurricane Wash and backpacking in can be brutal with the hot sun and no shade for miles. Once you join with Coyote Gulch, you can camp where you'd like, though I like Jacob Hamblin Arch. For less advanced backpackers, the Fortymile Ridge route is easier other than a few parts. As you make your way from the trailhead, you will see a hill directly straight ahead that you want to stay on the left of. Some parts of the trail... doesn't really have a trail so keep your eyes out for cairns (as on the right picture). 
If you follow those you will eventually start to see the gulch. A way that can help direct you to the best way into the gulch is the 'White Eagle' on the canyon wall (see the picture on the left - above and to the left of the person's head). Head straight for the eagle and you will soon reach what seems like an imposible descent into the canyon. If you found the right place, there is a steep hill into the canyon but walkable. If you choose to use a rope in this spot (if you have expensive gear in your backpack or are just a little afraid) there are hidden places to tie your rope through. For most if you just slowly make your way down you'll be fine. Once you've made it into the gulch, head upstream and you will come to a nice litte sandbank just past Jacob Hamblin Arch.