“Rooftop” rock formations across from Jacob Hamblin Arch.
Everything we thought we knew about the beauty of Coyote Gulch was about to change.
The sun hung low in the sky and the golden glow of the canyon walls grew more intense with every passing moment. We were taken aback by the extraordinary hues of red and orange that came out exclusively at sunset. The Jacob Hamblin arch erupted in a fiery glow of orange and yellow before being extinguished with the onset of dusk. It was a show better than Netflix.
As darkness set in across the canyon, the scenery took a back seat as we immersed ourselves in conversation. Our curiosity peaked as we discussed our adventure for the day.
So what is it that makes a place special to us? Sometimes it is judged solely by the scenery. The more contrast from daily life, the better. We yearn for something—anything, that is different from what we are used to. We so desire to feed our sense of adventure with something new, wholesome, and unique. And this wild space in the heart of Utah is everything we could ask for.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “It’s not the destination, but the journey”. Perhaps you’ve seen it written on a poster hanging on a friend’s wall or lurking on Pinterest boards. If you’re like me, the real adventure lies in the challenges and tests faced while getting to that spot you’ve spent so much time looking for and preparing for. To me, the best moment in the journey comes when you round that final corner, climb onto that last stretch of ridgeline, or make that final 800-foot descent to find the place that once only existed in your dreams come to life before your eyes. The anxieties and tests of the journey melt away in the face of your accomplishment and you forge a memory for the books.
Aside from the scenery, or the adventure from getting there, sharing the experience with others may be the most important part of all. I like a good solo adventure every now and again, but looking over to see the expression on a friend’s face—the amazement, disbelief, discomfort, or the smile of accomplishment—is one of the best parts of venturing out to these remote places. Being able to see the real-time expressions and reactions along the way add character to the adventure—it adds personal flair that makes the memory last a lifetime.
We finally found ourselves getting ready for sleep around midnight, but not before looking up at the millions of stars in the sky above. Without the moon, the galactic core rising in the south was the only source of light overhead. For a moment, turning off all lights and letting our eyes adjust to the dark sky made me realize exactly how bright the stars can be without the moon overhead. The combination of the incredible canyon with the glow of distant stars took Coyote Gulch to a whole new level of other-worldly beauty.
The milky way rises over the canyon.
All in all, our adventures in Coyote Gulch were some for the books as one of the first adventures along the Escalante River. With so many more options for backcountry excursions and overnight trips in the area, it’s hard to decide what to do next! The myriad of treasures out there are among some of the best and most beautiful in all of the American southwest. Utah is a colorful, powerful place which serves as the ideal background for many outdoor adventures. Sometimes all we have to do is get out there and live them.
Jessica on the climb out of Coyote Gulch.
