Excitement In Coyote Gulch
Earlier this month we completed our third backpacking trip into Coyote Gulch in southern Utah. We love going beyond Arizona’s Grand Canyon to explore this equally spectacular neighbor to our north. It is still the rainy season in the southwest at this time of year, which creates some exciting challenges and opportunities when backpacking. This trip never lacks in adventure, but in early September the thrills get turned up a notch or two!
Around every bend in the canyon are new and beautiful sights to behold. Towering sandstone arches, natural bridges, and waterfalls are par for the course in this natural wonderland, so what made this trip different? Recent high water had flushed out the creek, rerouting it in some places, flattening vegetation, piling up driftwood, and moving large volumes of sand in the process. Careful navigation is necessary after the rainy season to successfully negotiate this renewed environment. We never had to hike in the rain, but we saw its effects all around us. Spontaneous waterfalls formed in front of our eyes at times as rain falling elsewhere in the region made its way to the gulch.
Camped in a massive alcove one evening we were enthralled with not one, but two, spectacular waterfalls falling nearby and swelling the creek for a short period. It was an amazing sight! On another evening we were treated with a beautiful rainbow over camp, and on multiple occasions we refreshed ourselves under rejuvenating springs of fresh water pouring from the rock.
One of my favorite parts of this hike is the climb out. A tough slog up a big sand dune is followed by shimmying through a narrow crack and then pulling our packs up with a rope. It’s a fun and unique finale, and one of the best parts is the incredible panoramic view from the top. As a guide, it is rewarding to hear the continual expressions of amazement from guests each day of a trip, but the sense of amazement and accomplishment at the end of this journey is especially gratifying.
In the end, it wasn’t the physical challenges that stretched us the most. Everyone expressed a strengthened trust in God as we personally experienced His provision and grace every step of the way. In the words of one of our guests after our journey was complete, this was “the best trip of my life”!
Soon we will be announcing opportunities to backpack with us next year in both Coyote Gulch and Grand Canyon. We hope to see you on one of these life-changing trips!
Adam
