A three day excursion that took us the length of Coyote Gulch, a lush, steep walled tributary of the Escalante River. The canyon features a perennial stream, two arches, a natural bridge, and a couple waterfalls. Of course, even without these landmarks, the offer of three straight days of idyllic canyon strolling is plenty enticing. We began at the Red Well trailhead and dropped quickly to the streambed at the dry fork confluence. We would follow this streambed another 13 miles down to the Escalante River. As we walked, springs began to feed the dry wash and the walls seemed to grow with every step. Before long, we were walking in or alongside a steady stream flanked by the greenest of riparian vegetation, gazing up at towering walls of orange sandstone. This place really is a desert paradise. Upper Coyote Gulch (the stretch above the Hurricane Wash confluence) proved to be a great introduction to our trip. To gradually descend into the canyon allowed us to understand and get a feel for the character of our environment, rather than just getting dropped in somewhere in the middle. While quicker more direct access points exist, I highly recommend this route, especially for those new to the area.

Day 1: Red Well TH to basecamp in a giant alcove between Jacob Hamblin Arch and Coyote Natural Bridge
Day 2: A long dayhike down to the Escalante River confluence and back
Day 3: Hike back out to Red Well TH