Swirling rock Coyote Gulch
On Tuesday and Wednesday I hike in Coyote Gulch, a part of Section 6 of the Hayduke. I did an in and out hike. Yeti dropped me off at Hole in the Rock Road at Hurricane Wash Tuesday morning. In the parking lot, we met Kevin and his son Zen. They were from Germany, though Kevin had been born in the States. They were very friendly and we talked for at least 30 minutes and they made us coffee!
Yeti hiked in 2 miles with me in Hurricane Wash. He would pick me up at the same TH next day. I continued on in the Wash. It was quite green - probably as it was closer to a river and water in the Gulch. The wash narrowed at one point with red walls like Lower Muley Twist. After about 4 miles, it became quite overgrown, though there was always a path to follow through even the tall brush. At about mile 6 you come to Coyote Gulch and I can see why this is such a popular spot. You follow a creek in the Gulch, crossing from side to side. The walls of the canyon were dramatic - huge and swirling, huge and straight up! I could see quite a few camp spots for later. I could see tents set up here and there, too. I got to Jacob Amblin Arch at about noon and had a lunch break here. The Arch was huge - you could look through it to the next bend in the canyon. There were already two tents. It was a big space, so could fit many more.
Two miles further I got to the Natural Bridge - another natural feature in Coyote Gulch. Took a long break here too. This was as far as I was going, but I intended to hike back a few miles to camp. There were quite a few people in Coyote Gulch, which I knew would be - but didn't meet any Hayduke hikers yet. By the time I passed the Arch again, there must have been at least 6-8 more tents! No way I'd camp there, it would be a zoo. I had picked a spot about 1/2 mile further back, but it was taken so I continued on. I found a nice spot along the creek surrounded by dramatic swirling walls. That was my home for the night. I slept really well.
Next morning, around 5:30am (I was already awake) I saw lights flashing: it was two hikers with strong headlamps! I made coffee and had some food before it was light enough to start packing up. I left camp at 6:42am. The hike back went well - I was hiking at a good pace. Right near the end though I actually walked off the track - luckily I noticed it not too much later...but I wasted time and had to climb over a rise to get back on track. I was worried that Yeti might have hiked in to meet me and passed me during this section. Luckily, he had not. I came around the corner at one point and I could see him waiting by the Trail head. Great morning. Very hungry.
Went to the Outfitter's for lunch and now to rest at the motel, get clean and get my pack ready for tomorrow. I would have like a day off, but Friday is supposed to rain and I'm about to go into a slot canyon. No way I'd go on a rainy day. I'll be doing a 26 mile overnight. Yeti will meet me at Hwy 89. Yeti had a strange episode today: got dizzy and had trouble walking back from lunch and he was breathing heavily. A bit alarming. Hope he can sleep it off. I'm wondering if his back issue is rearing up again. Anyway, hope all will be well.