Coyote Gulch: Day 2
Coyote Gulch: Day 2
5/25/2024
Sandy Ledge Camp - Pine Grove Camp
Miles hiked: 6.2 mi
Elevation gained: 1329 ft
Animals seen: butt loads of hikers, desert birds
Elevation chart & topo map created on Alltrails.com
Woke up to neighbor noise around 7am but we all stayed in the tents until the sun peeked over the canyon walls. We quickly packed up shoved shit into our packs and moved down off our ledge closer to the water and into the shade for coffee and brek (peanut butter chocolate banana oatmeal). After a lazy break and Jake’s first experience with a wag bag (highly unrecommended), we decided to get a move on as we were truely at risk of burning in the daylight. It is Utah.
Coffee & brek
The trail wound along the river for a short while before it decidedly entered the river. And that was the last time our shoes and feet were dry this trip. Yep, we would be doing the majority of the gulch trail within the water.
Now those who know me, know I despise soggy socks. To be fair, doesn’t everyone? Anyone who is unbothered by soggy socks is a serial killer, there I said it. Anywho, so how does someone who despises soggy footwear choose a hike that will inevitably have that exact result? For lack of a better answer, to try something new. We all knew ahead of time so we were mentally prepared. We also chose decidedly non-waterproof footwear which will dry much, much quicker than the waterproof counterparts. Wool socks also tend to dry very quickly in the sun. Our trail game needed to be shaken and tested, so we did just that, shake and test.
The landscape was absolutely picturesque. We were doing low miles and minimal elevation gains so our pace could go much slower. Good thing too, we couldn’t help but stop and gawk every tenth mile.
We started off leap frogging with a family with young children and ended up over taking them when they stopped for a swimming break at a deeper section. We continued on, passing many hikers throughout the day. We knew it was going to be a busy trail and it was. We took our lunch break at a quiet bend in the river among some river foliage. Took off the damp shoes and socks to give our feet a chance to dry out. (Citrus lime starkist creations with spinach tortillas).
Once our bellies were satisfied and our feet freshly dried. We put the now only slightly damp socks and shoes back on and continued on. After our break the trail jumped in and out of the river a bit more. The views continued to awe us and we found ourselves at the infamous Coyote Bridge.
It was busy, like North Shore MN state park on a summer Saturday type busy. To non-Minnesota peeps, it was an average summer Saturday at Santa Monica beach type busy. Iowa peeps, just nod and smile.
We decided to not stop for a break and found ourselves at a bend with what appeared to be very deep water. With little option to go around (rock walls up to the water on both sides) I showed the guys what bravery looks like and trucked right on in. It was high thigh level. Seeing me through safely, the guys followed suit. Bending around another turn we found a section with a tiny waterfall and deep soaking pools. We quickly dropped our packs on the rocks and proceeded to enjoy the cool, deeper water. It was heavenly in the heat.
After thoroughly soaking ourselves, we lay on the warm rocks to dry out, snack and filter water. A short rest to utilize some hit die and we were off again. The wind had started to pick up and I was starting to feel a bit chilly as my clothes continued to dry out. We didn’t have much further and we came across some hikers standing by a rock wall. The Hamblin Arch scramble.
We stopped to assess our potential exit for tomorrow. The first section appeared short and very steep but not undoable. The second, longer section had multiple ropes coming down. Several hikers were mid-scramble and seemed to be handling it well. The third section was out of view but with what we could see, it seems as though it would be within our my abilities, especially with the ropes available.
We continued and saw the very pretty, super popular Hamblin Arch.
I thought the trail had been crowded before, but it was nothing compared to this section. It was a certifiable tent city that would make LA proud. We rounded the far bend and came on the far side of the arch. There was a large sand bluff with an amazing view of the arch and canyon walls. Deciding not to push our luck, we quickly claim the spot and busted out our camp chairs. Adam and Jake enjoyed some recreational treats while I treated myself to a trail marg. I pitched the tent to provide myself some shade and privacy while I changed into my woolies. The canyon walls created a huge crescent around us. It was super pretty, but also filled with crazy loud echos of every. single. hiker. Talking.
Ten points to Hufflepuff if you can guess what Jake did next. Yep, he decided he wanted to explore other potential campsites. I showed my disapproval over my mug of trail marg and made Adam go with him. While they were scouting, the wind picked up fiercely. I relaxed within the wind break of my tent while waiting for the inevitable news of a new campsite.
Jake returned with tall claims of a great spot, without wind or echoes. Jake quickly gathered his chair and pack, he was going to switch with Adam so he could get his gear. Meanwhile I packed up threw shit in Yoda and waited for Adam. It wasn’t a long wait and I was soon following Adam to our new spot.
It was pretty. Not as jaw dropping as the crescent canyon walls, but also much quieter. The wind, though, seemed to have followed me because we got to enjoy some gnarly wind storms for the next half hour while attempting to pitch the tents.
Adam apparently wanted to channel his Maroon Bells experience with a wag bag. I’ll leave it at that. Sorry, inside joke that I want to cherish forever.
On wag bags…the three of us are in agreement of highly recommending against them if possible. They were required for this hike for very good and acceptable reasons but they suck to have to deal with. I carry stoppers for this very reason.
Anywho, carrying on. I decided that I deserved a double trail marg for the effort of setting up camp twice, so I did. I was feeling very, very good by the time we decided to have dinner (mexican beans and rice). It wasn’t long before we all turned in for the evening.
See all Coyote Gulch posts
Our band of heroes find themselves with a harrowing scramble to exit the gulch. How will they conquer this feat to return to civilization?