Michiko had purchased a pair of 5-10s to use when she goes hiking in Japan so I convinced her to use them on an overnight trip into CG.
With an aversion to getting wet, we headed off on Saturday for our first ever backpacking trip together (not that I am a veteran by any means). We hit the Hurrican Wash TH at 1030am (thanks Tom for the advice) and made out way down to the confluence where we planned on spending the night, but not without stopping for numerous pictures of flowers, rabbits, and rocks. We cached water in two places to cut down on weight and just enjoyed the trip knowing that we had the entire afternoon to enjoy what I knew to be a wonderous place. We found the site I had chosen from a closeup by Google Earth, set up camp and headed up the Gulch to see if we could get into Sleepy Hollow. I soon realized that we did not have enough time to get there so we climbed up into a large alcove to see if there were any signs of habitation by the natives who roamed this region in the past. There was one circular hole with pieces of grain and at least two small corn husks in it and one piece of pottery (see Coyote Gulch album). Has anyone else been up in this area and explored and found anything? Found the entrance to a mystical Sleep Hollow but I had forgotten the password so couldn’t get in.
Up Sunday morning and down the river to the arches. Crisscrossing the river Michiko found the shoes effective but cold with morning temperatures in the mid 30s. Hamblin’s arch was very impressive and we wondered why anyone would climb out the shortcut way to the water tank and risk their lives heading up that wall, or coming down it. The narrows were nice and Michiko wondered if we were going to have to swim through them (she does not swim at all) but I showed her that it was not deep at all (I hoped). We had lunch in a meadow with lots of dead cottonwoods and wondered if we should continue down to the next arch. Determined to get to it then turn around we were surprised to find it at the bottom of the hill just below our lunch spot. What a pretty little arch, one with beauty from both sides with the water beneath it and the shimmering leaves providing an elegant picture frame. We turned back, cleaned up our camp and made it up to the car at almost exactly 600pm (500pm as we had forgotten about fallback time)
My wife had done great, carrying nearly a quarter of her weight and we experienced a wonderful place. Our conversation even touched on tackling the narrows at a future time.
I posted some pics and will add a link to the rest when I get them all loaded and edited.
bruce from bryce
flutedwalls
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bruce silliman” wrote: we wondered why anyone would climb out the shortcut way to the water tank and risk their lives heading up that wall, or coming down it. _______ In the past two decades I might have been into/through Coyote Gulch 15-20 times? Defacto/traditional day passage is down the sand hill and out the slickrock exit adjacent to JH Arch. Young, unfit, heavily weighted down, “slippery shoed” and inexperienced folk can have serious problems on the slickrock slope and may need to be tied in with a belay; and packs hauled up. But for others, it’s not that difficult or “risky” and the crux is “short.” If folk have “concern though” (a risk of one’s life?) and don’t have the savvy, skill or technique needed to get “up or down” they should NOT use the route.
Winter travel in the gulch is a big DEPENDS. Function of the weather, temps and human acclimation/expectation. Some winter days; balmy, cool and pleasant. At other times one will clamor through ice and conditions get quite brisk/grim. But the often solitude, solace and splendor of the place beckons many, weather conditions tough or not.
Photos offered were nice. Water levels in the Gulch “appeared to be” way above normal Oct-Nov (drier levels) I’ve most often seen.
Thousands; students, visitors, experienced and novice, annually travel into/through coyote gulch. One spring weekend some 4-5 years ago – an epiphany – I heard a voice; “stay away”. 50+ vehicles parked at Hurricane Wash. Some 15 at the water tank and the lot full at the east ridge parking spot. Numerous horse riders were traveling in/between JH Arch and Coyote Bridge. Four groups had dropped ropes off the S Walls near C Bridge and had left lines dangling across or in the stream. Below C Bridge and in a small sandy alcove adjacent to one of the nicest waterfalls, were two groups with cabin tents and 6 lawn chairs and a set up volley ball net. Other teens were throwing footballs and frisbee from atop and below the pools at the base of the falls. Further down canyon campers were perched and set up near or adjacent to many of the other waterfalls or scenic spots. We saw two groups of 20 and maybe 4-5 groups of 10-15, all camped right adjacent to the main route. Coyote Gulch – The Beauty Queen of Glen Canyon – and every visitor – on their own terms – wants to visit and have a piece of the place.
It’s amazing to me the corridor still survives. To the first time visitor though – regardless of conditions – hopefully it still holds some charm. (Obviously, much more solitude in early winter than in the spring) Yes, places like Coyote Gulch, Hackberry Canyon, and increasingly Death Hollow – the word is out – these watery canyons, a “desert campus” of sorts, in spring and fall.
Brando
Bruce,
Reading your post has made me want to revisit Coyote again this year. How bad do the temps get to in Dec – Feb? Anyone been in there during those times?
– Brando
A.J.
> we wondered why anyone would climb out the shortcut way to the > water tank and risk their lives heading up that wall, or coming > down it.
It’s not as bad as it looks. My girlfriend Jen did the climb out (without a pack) on her first backpacking trip ever. 25 mile wash to Coyote Gulch with side canyon explorations. She did awesome; but had no previous backpacking or climbing experience. I made many trips up and down shuttling packs for others; and there are plenty of good foot placements on the way up. Just take your time and pick a good path.
> I posted some pics and will add a link to the rest when I get them > all loaded and edited.
Awesome! Great job. Glad you guys were able to see a bunch of the canyons and have a great (albeit chilly) time doing it.
Take care, A.J.