(excerpted from Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau, Third Edition, by Michael R. Kelsey)
Coyote Gulch
Location and Access: To reach Coyote Gulch of the middle Escalante River, drive down the Hole-in-the-Rock Road about 50 kms which will put you at the Red Well. You can park and start hiking from there; or drive back up the road a ways, and drive northeast a couple of kms to get closer to Dry Fork. If you drive about 4 kms past Red Well you'll come to Willow Tank at the head of Hurricane Wash, another popular entry point. About 3 kms past Willow Tank is a signed road leading northeast along Fortymile Ridge. The road to the Jacob Hamblin Arch Trailhead and metal tank at 1450 meters is good for any car; but beyond that, it's sandy, so drive as fast as conditions allow and don't stop in deep sand! The Fortymile Ridge trailhead is on a hill with firm ground.
Peek-a-boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulches (All of these are in the Escalante River country).
Location and Access: The short slot canyons featured here are in the upper part of the Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch. To get there drive southeast out of Escalante on State Highway 12. When you come to mile post 65, turn southeast onto the Hole-in-the-Rock Road and drive about 39 kms or until you reach Cat Well, which is where you see a sign to the Early Weed Bench. You can camp under some cottonwood trees and begin hiking there if you like, but the normal trailhead is further along. Drive 4 more kms until you come to a lone cedar tree on the right with twin trunks. About 100 meters beyond that turn left and continue another 3 kms to the trailhead at 1494 meters altitude. You can camp at the trailhead, but there are no trees or shade.
NOTE: Any canyon has an element of risk. Proceed at your own risk. Trouble & Attitude assumes no responsibility for your life.
