Training in Beautiful Places Ep.2 - Coyote Gulch

Training in Beautiful Places
Grand to Grand Ultra 2024 Training
Grand Staircase Escalante
Out: Red Well to Coyote Gulch to Jacob Hamblin Arch
Return: Hurricane Gulch, Open Desert by Chimney Rock
Miles: 18.36miles (29.55k)
Time: 7:24:48
Elevation Gain: 1541ft (470m)
Pack Weight: 13.37lbs (6.0kg)
Date: 8/13/2024
The trail from Red Well to Coyote Gulch turned out to be quite the adventure. With a round-trip distance of up to 26 miles (41 km), I was drawn to this hike by the promise of seeing Jacob Hamlin Arch and the Natural Bridge along the way. Although I had the option to turn around if the terrain proved too challenging, I wasn’t necessarily aiming to complete the full 26 miles.
Getting There: The Journey to the Trailhead
Just reaching the trailhead was an adventure in itself. I was camping near Highway 12, about 5 miles outside of Escalante, Utah, and the trailhead lies 30 miles (48 km) down Hole in the Rock Road. This remote gravel road, which stretches 55 miles (88 km) to Lake Powell, runs through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The further I drove, the bumpier the road became, with worsening washboard conditions. Despite the rough drive, the surrounding desert landscape made it a beautiful journey. It took about 90 minutes of slow, careful driving to reach the trailhead.
On the Trail: From Plateau to Gulch
The hike started on a plateau, descending quickly into Coyote Gulch. The first few miles were relatively runnable, but around mile two, the vegetation thickened, making it increasingly difficult to find the trail. I realized I was often following cow or game trails rather than the actual path, as the trail here is neither well-used nor well-maintained. As the trail disappeared and reappeared, I decided to make my own way by following the stream down into the canyon.
When the vegetation thinned out, the canyon's beauty truly revealed itself-towering walls, some zebra-striped, and even a slot canyon along the way. The approach to Jacob Hamblin Arch was breathtaking. The vegetation opened up, birds became more plentiful, and I even spotted a few squirrels. It felt like a small slice of Eden-peaceful and serene. I took some time to rest at the arch, refilling my water bottles and enjoying a snack. By then, I had covered over 9 miles (15 km), and given the tough navigation, it had taken longer than anticipated, so I decided to head back.
The Return: Choosing a New Path
Since the trail had been difficult to follow on the way in, I decided to try exiting via Hurricane Gulch, hoping for a clearer path and less bushwhacking. It turned out to be the right decision-there was a trail, or at least an open gulch, for most of the way, allowing me to move much faster. As the canyon walls lowered, I chose to cut across the open desert instead of looping back to the road, which saved me an additional 3 miles (5 km). With storms visible in the distance, I was fortunate to avoid heavy rain, only encountering light sprinkles.
The Drive Back: A Muddy Challenge
The return trip to the camper added an unexpected twist to the adventure. As I crossed the desert, I could see a massive storm passing directly in front of me, exactly in the direction I needed to head back. About 10 miles (16 km) down the road, I encountered a stretch where the road had turned to mud. Fortunately, it wasn’t too deep, and someone had driven through it not long before I arrived, leaving a clear path for me to follow. The sloppy mud persisted for about 4 miles (6.4 km).
Drawing on my younger years of four-wheeling through the mud in Florida, I knew that once you’re in, the key is to keep moving. And that’s exactly what I did. I feel fortunate to have made it through without getting stuck or breaking anything.
On the bright side, after navigating the muddy stretch, the rain had softened the road ahead, making for a much smoother ride back to the camper.
Reflection: Lessons from the Trail
Looking back, I’m glad I chose the route I did and learned a valuable lesson: trails in remote locations like this often see little use and can be in poor condition, requiring extra effort and problem-solving. I approach most trails with few expectations and try to embrace whatever challenges come my way, which always adds to the enjoyment of the adventure.
#g2gultra2024 #grandstaircaseescalante #holeintherockroad #redwell #coyotegulch #jacobhamlinarch #hurricanegulch #chimneyrock #tryhardthings #challengeyourself #getoutside #putasmileonsomeonesface #wakeupwiththebirds #cautionslowrunner #trailrunning #speakupformentalhealth #thankful #luckyman #blessed

[@TrailStrider909]

Hello my friend! Great vid!

[@kimsitmer7462]

Wow, is all I can say. Don't get lost. It's looks really lonely if you do........

[@wanderedaway441]

@@kimsitmer7462 Ha Ha, I’m not getting lost….