Backpacking Coyote Gulch in November (and Zebra Canyon and Zion)

Throwing back to my very first visit to Coyote Gulch in fall of 2005. I'm posting this as a time capsule for myself more than anything else to remember how much has changed in 15+ years: my gear, my experience, my presentation style/quality, etc. What hasn't changed: my love for Utah landscapes and a propensity for bad jokes and semi-dramatized narratives! :) In addition to the Crack-in-the-Wall route into Coyote Gulch, this video features small portions of Stevens Canyon, Zebra Canyon, and even Zion National Park. Enjoy the flashback in this older video of a younger me!

[@primarytrainer1]

I really enjoyed this video (just as much as the recent ones)! Surprised to see that Mr. Shadow was around back then, too. This channel's presentation style definitively makes it one of the best hiking channels on youtube.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks -- I really appreciate that. 👍 Mr. Shadow actually made his debut when I made a short film in college about climbing Half Dome in Yosemite. Someday I'll need to dig that one out of the archives! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@bernhardmeiners238]

Hi Jamal Thanks for this fantastic flashback in time! It was a blast to see you being 15 years younger ;-) and to see Coyote Gulch again. Inspired by your long hike of 2018 from Zion to Arches I came over from Germany in October last year to finally explore and hike without hurrying at all but spend two full weeks with a good friend only exploring beautiful southern Utah, including Coyote Gulch and spending a night down there. It was awesome!! We also hiked the Joint Trail in Canyonlands... This year the Corona-lock-down made it impossible to come to Utah, to even leave Germany (!!!) but maybe next year for more adventures.... Take care and please go on hiking and filming ;-) yours Bernhard

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much for watching and the comment. Yes... I'm looking forward to a post-Corona activities once again as well!

[@deanpatterson4001]

Can't believe I caught an AcrossUtah episode on debut night, what luck! Great to see some of the early days and the equipment that went with it. The November hike shows a different flavor to Southern Utah for those of us that only make it there in the standard vacation periods will never experience. Thanks for the effort Jamal.

[@Acrossutah]

Yay -- glad you got to see the "Premiere"! It's good to know the subscription/bell thing works (on occasion!) Thanks for watching hope to have some more new videos soon!

[@singaporenoinoi]

Thanks for posting this oldie goldie of a vid.. always beautiful. I came out to southern Utah in 2018 and was smitten by the awesome scenery. Was here for 2 weeks.. put over 2,000 miles on that poor rental car and never went north of I-70 or west of I-15. Went back to the east coast to see how I could make the move to southern Utah a reality. There were times I'd feel low or uncertain and I would tune in to one of your videos for a boost to my resolve to make it happen. Am now happily living in the AZ strip just outside Kanab UT. Just want to let you know how much your videos, your adventures and the beautiful photographs kept me inspired through it all. There were bumps along the way but no regrets. Thanks again.

[@Acrossutah]

Very cool -- thanks for watching and sharing your story. The desert/canyon country definitely speaks to different people in different ways. I know people who think it's "just of bunch of rocks with nothing around", whereas many others (including myself and you apparently) feel an entirely different connection. Cheers!

[@alejandrorangel1761]

Welcome back miss your videos.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@DMintoART]

I got so excited when I saw that this was posted two weeks ago, and then see that this is a flashback. So I watched it again 😍 I adore you Jamal (and Mr. Shadow 😁) I’m in love with Zion and all it’s beautiful neighbors, thank you for sharing your videos with us! Now, let’s go...

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the appreciation and hope to have some new videos soon! 😀👍

[@danegarreau]

"Please don't get deeper than a few inches......" Don't worry baby, that won't be an issue hahahaha

[@Acrossutah]

You know... sometimes I like to add corny jokes/innuendo, but that one was absolutely not intentional. 😀

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

You are a favorite of mine, Jamal. Your work is just beautiful and those pictures and just stunning.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks so much!

[@arizjones]

Nice! You had skills even back then. Thanks for all you share, I appreciate all your content. Not only is it entertaining it is a good resource for planning trips and inspiration. Funny to see Mr Shadow was a part of your presentation even back then.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! Yes... Mr. Shadow has been hiking with me for a loooong time. 😉👍

[@kevink8765]

Back then the crowds in Zion in November were pretty thin. I was there in early November 2009 and even had Angel's Landing to myself long enough for a California Condor land near me. Back then I didn't have much grey hair either. Fun to watch your throwback.

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- even through that was really just a drive through the park, it was pretty magical. November back then wasn't busy to begin with back then, but the rain must have scared others away as well as it was really quiet in the park that day. Thanks for watching!

[@danieljack2360]

I have waited for a new to me video. Love the music and everything about this trip.

[@Acrossutah]

Cool -- glad you liked this throwback video. It was a good trip and one I never imagined I'd be sharing in a public forum -- but I think it's a fun look back. Thanks for watching and the comment! 🌞✌

[@lancemumford3106]

Nice to see you back hiking and having a good time. Thanks for the video and pictures.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks for watching!

[@chuckbeattyo]

Thanks for sharing this. Much enjoyed, several viewings, very appreciated. (even though it's Nov 2005).

[@ElaineSimplyEL]

🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for the video you were brave very brave to do that by yourself I hope you always stay safe on your travels- Bless you

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! In many ways I actually believe I'm MORE safe when solo -- that because I tend to be more careful knowing that I have no one else to help out if anything goes awry. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

[@potatothorn]

frame pack! fun to see the younger you out there ! Sugar!! hahaha awesome hike, crazy spot you had to turn around at out there wow/ cool bonus hike too. thanks for taking us with you

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks for watching! Good to know some people actually like seeing these older videos as I really just upload them as a sort of time capsule for myself. Cheers!

[@utahdan231]

Welcome back. I missed watching your videos.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks and still hope to have some actual new content later this year. 👍

[@NorwegianXplorer]

Cant wait to watch this!

[@Querenciatv]

Nice Video! Thanks for posting. Can't wait to see more content 😍

[@JohnTheLuck3]

Good job youngster!!! Even if the images show their age, it is still an amazing place.

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks! I went through a phase back then when I thought video was too much of a hassle, but I'm glad I shot some stuff on this trip (even if the quality is not that great.) Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@GravityGamingCo]

Zion is amazing. Nice work

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks!

[@westcoastislander6699]

OMG total retro! Made us go back and look at our pics from Coyote Gulch 2009-first week of November. --Way back before it was really "discovered". But you were much more adventurous and really "out there". Did Crack in the Wall as a day hike a few years later and remember the "enjoyable" sand slog back to the truck. A fun watch. Thanks!

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- I love taking a look back. it's crazy how much has changed in a relatively short time (well... besides the amazing landscape!) Thanks for watching!

[@teanawaypeaks158]

frame pack, blue jeans and fleece- brings back memories thanks for putting this together!

[@Acrossutah]

Glad you liked it -- it definitely called back to a different era of backpacking for me. Cheers!

[@mattmctour]

Your still pictures from Coyote Gulch were spectacular! What a gorgeous time of year to be there with those amazing fall colors. I missed out on a trip down there the spring before last...we were going to try a really long day hike down through hole-in-the-rock and then up the very steep exit several miles upstream where a fixed rope (some folks leave them behind) can be useful, but circumstances got in the way. Have you done that exit on subsequent trips?

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah -- though I usually hike in the spring, the fall really was gorgeous. I've never done the steep entrance/exit at Jacob Hamblin Arch. I sized it up on my 2018 hike and remember thinking it didn't look too bad, but then I tried the initial part in my wet/sandy shoes and it was trickier than I expected. Thanks for watching!

[@TheRealLifeRobert]

Return of the King

[@Acrossutah]

Thanks -- but definitely not king-worthy back then (I was huffing and puffing up that sand dune!) Thanks for watching and hope to be back with some new content soon. 👍

[@MoutainGuyAdventures]

Thanks for sharing. I was there last September. Such an awesome place. Did you see the poison ivy?

[@Acrossutah]

I've never noticed it in Coyote Gulch -- but have seen it nearby in Stevens Canyon. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! 👍

[@WildlandExplorer]

Via time-travel and the magic of video you may have been the first person to film crack in the rock and upload it to youtube.

[@Acrossutah]

That's a funny thought! 👍 Next I should see if I can transfer my footage from Buckskin Gulch and The Wave from the '90s! Thanks for watching!

[@carloszenteno]

You are back! Good video. How do you know a crack is ok to go in and you won't get stuck on it? Do you do a lot of forth and back on these cracks?

[@Acrossutah]

The one is this video is well traveled and really is plenty wide for most body shapes (just not with a pack on!) There are some skinny slot canyons that I wouldn't fit through though and I never want to be in one were I literally have to SQUEEZE my way through -- that's just a little too-claustrophobic for my taste! Thanks for watching!

[@utahdan231]

Just found this video in 2022. Who’s this baby? 😊Now I feel like I know you all my life.

[@Acrossutah]

Haha -- at first I didn't know which "baby", but then realized you meant ME! In a way it doesn't seem like THAT long ago and yet... on the other hand it seems like forever. 😀✌

[@dirtywetdogboatsandsailing6805]

Do you think that the Escalante area would be a good place for a canyonlands newbie to start with this kind of hiking ?

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah, I think so. There aren't real "trails", but once in a canyon it's pretty hard to get lost. I'd recommend spring or fall to avoid the heat and a non-weekend to avoid the crowds. Feel free to write me via my website for more info/suggestions. Thx!

[@dirtywetdogboatsandsailing6805]

@@Acrossutah thanks, i'll drop you a message later.

[@ikmarchini]

Much improved. Even Mozart wrote Symphony no. 1.

[@Acrossutah]

Yep -- it's been a journey. 😀 New videos coming in November. 👍

[@TheFrogsmog]

Do you have any suggestions for hikes like the subway I haven't been in many

[@Acrossutah]

The Subway is really great. I really like the Barracks on the other side of Zion as well and that's not too far from you. It has a bunch of great side canyons as well. Otherwise so many great canyons over around Escalante. 👍

[@tedpeterson1156]

I was just about to send off a Customer Complaint email, so I was gratified to see a new video in my notifications. This is just a Retread. Un-acceptable J. Un-acceptable!

[@Acrossutah]

Yeah I know -- my boss was about to fire me if I didn't get back to posting videos! Hopefully there will be some actual new stuff coming fairly soon. 👍

[@NoOne-yt6yf]

Hey, Could you take this video down? There's way too many people going here and it Is really impacting the canyon. It would be better if it were not on the radar. Thanks!

[@Acrossutah]

Sorry, but No. If you think this video with minimal views is the problem for what's been one of the most-popular hikes/backpacks in southern Utah for 10+ years, I think you are missing the bigger picture. The "secrets" have long been out in the Internet age -- it's time to preach best practices. You might want to contact the NPS service and share your thoughts and request the adoption of a quota system. Thanks.

[@Acrossutah]

But... I do agree it's too busy at times. Luckily (maybe) Reflection Canyon seems to be the new "trendy" hike now and may be offsetting some of burden. All the same... thanks for watching and the comment. 👍