Coyote Gulch: Day 3

Coyote Gulch: Day 3

5/27/2024

Pine Grove Camp - Water Tank Trailhead - Escalante - Denver

Miles hiked: 2.7 mi

Elevation gained: 932 ft

Animals seen: bottlenecked hikers, townies

Elevation chart & topo map created on Alltrails.com

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Jake had likely been up for hours by the time he called out to me and Adam to get up. He’s strange like that. I woke up with a killer headache. Dehydration, poor sleep support, tequila, likely all three added to it. Blueberry pecan oatmeal and coffee. Hmm, maybe a caffeine headache? I had been on a very strong caffeine regime with the new job. Hiking will fix it.

The sun started peeking over the ridge so we were already behind our planned schedule to be up and out of the scramble by peak sunlight. Oops. So we quickly packed up our gear and headed back towards Hamblin Arch.

I elected to wear my camp shoes, aka keen sandals instead of my hiking shoes. The shoes had almost entirely dried overnight and I didn’t want to risk wet, slippery feet on the scramble. We made it up and around the arch in good time, passing a bunch of tents and hikers. 

Coming up to the first section of scramble, we find out quickly that the ropes that had been there the day prior were all gone this morning. WHAT?!

To prevent myself from panicking, I sit down to change my sandals for my hiking shoes while a group of middle school boys and their fathers show up. The absolute last thing I need while attempting this scramble is an audience, so I am more than happy to have the large group go in front of us. Their struggle on the first section is a reaffirmation that even novices like myself can do this. At least, that is what I told myself. It seemed more positive than the scramble being terribly difficult and dangerous. 

Then it was our turn. Adam went first. Having the most climbing experience, he was able to navigate the best route and coach from above. I went next so that Jake could assist in the event that I needed it. Spoiler, I needed it. There was a very slippery, very steep slide that we had to overcome. Jake helped boost me up to I could get purchase on some hand holds just out of my reach. Once past the slide, it was a quick trip to the top of the first section.

First section done, second section ahead

Then we saw the bottleneck. There must have been a dozen people in line for section two, the longest of the scrambles. The group currently navigating it was a group of clearly experienced climbing adults with their children who were doing excellent jobs of resembling mountain goats. It was very impressive. The group was also very considerate of staying with their rope in place for those next in line to utilize. Slowly, the line was dwindling. 

As we waited our turn a young couple finished the first section and had enough knowledge to bring a climbing rope. Their rope was brought up to replace the first group so they could continue their hike. The group of father and sons were up and the change in experience was visible. My hands were sweaty, from the heat (it was full sunlight and heat by now) and nerves. I was trying very hard not to contemplate this climb and keep my nausea at bay. 

The guys decided for this section I would go first. I would be the slowest and would be able to have more time to rest at the top before our final scramble section. I was not a fan of this idea but had no capacity to argue with how nervous I was. So there I was, next in line, waiting for the last dad of the group to get to the top. 

Here we go. I did my best to wipe my hands dry, didn’t need to slip and fall to my death due to clammy hands. Yoda was strapped securely in place, didn’t need any wiggling back there. And I took the first step. It was much steeper than it appeared. Next step. Next step. Don’t lean toward the wall face, use your weight to leverage your steps. Right foot. Left foot. Slide the hands up, don’t loop the rope. First shelf for a chance to catch the breath. Attempt to look up but Yoda’s brain prevents my head from moving up high enough. Breathe, in, out, in, out. Deep breathes to calm the body. Okay. First step. Second step. Leverage. Don’t loop. Right foot. Left foot. Slide, don’t loop. I can’t see past the few feet in front of me. Step. Step. Next shelf. Breathe, catch the breath, lower the heart rate (yea right). First step. Second step. I can hear one of the dads just above me. Almost there. Step. Step. Slide, don’t loop. Leverage. Step. Step. Grab hand hold, OMG I made it. 

I quickly sit on a rock shelf and attempt to catch my breath while hyperventilating. Someone tells me good job, I squeak out a reply that was probably muddle mumbo jumbo. I look up and find that one of the dads is literally standing on the rope wrapped around a rock, holding it in place with his body weight. What in the actual hell?!

I can barely see Jake’s head as he is climbing. He is at a good, steady pace and makes it to the top. He takes over for rope weight so the group of sons and dads can continue on. Adam is next up and he flies, his experience is obvious. Once to the top, we wait for the couple who own the rope to climb and take over as weight for the following group. 

Looking back down at the bottleneck

One of the dads anchoring the rope for Jake

Jake anchoring for Adam

The third scramble was the most mild and not terribly long, more of a steep walk than an actual scramble. At the top, we found ourselves walking along the canyon wall tops. It was breathtaking.

Before long we were back to hiking in dunes, collecting sand in our shoes at an impressive rate. The route finding was fairly easy and we quickly passed the group of sons and fathers. It was very warm with full sun exposure. Walking in sand kept our pace slower than ideal but we were trucking. We made it to the trailhead by midday. 

Token trailhead finish photo

We drove to the town of Escalante for gas, food and most importantly, ice cold beer. The outfitters supplied a delicious pizza and cold beers while we debated driving all the way back to Denver that night or stopping somewhere along the way. I couldn’t care less, so I focused on my beverage and the possibility of a good nap in the car. Spoiler, we drove all the way to Denver. We discussed the trail, all three of us had a great time. We needed to shake up and test our hiking skills and this trial did just that, consider us tested and shaken. We had new experiences that were challenging but not overwhelming. Route finding, water hiking, tough scrambling. Check, check and check.

Cheers!

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