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Coyote/Escalante/Beryl Loop
The canyons on the east side of the Escalante River between Scorpion and Coyote Gulch aren't visited very often...it's pretty neat back in there, but I always thought that some folks that might be wondering what's back in there are put off by not knowing the routes or were water is.
Well, there's plenty of water. All the (bigger) canyons have potholes...some many, some just a few. The routes can be found in Steve Allen's guidebooks. Just going in there to "figure it out" is not advised...unless you're a pretty badass, experienced route finder.
It's beautiful back in there, but you're not going to find lush, creek filled canyons like Coyote or Harris Wash. It's physical, hard, dirty, dry and you will lose some skin...but awesome nonetheless.
So I did a short little loop at the bottom end of this area. It's a great, short (3 night) backpack...I've done it, and variations, many times. It's a great way to warm up for a bigger epic backpack...say in the Grand Canyon.
The trailhead is the Jacob Hamlin Arch route, leading into the middle of Coyote Gulch. You're not in Coyote for long, because you travel upcanyon about 20 minutes and climb out the other side. 2nd fin up from the arch...it's pretty steep, with moki steps but some may want a belay.
From there it's cross country to the Bobway, which is the short canyon between Fools and Coyote. Down the Bobway (good water there) to the river. Upstream to the next canyon on the east side...that's Icabod.
To get out, and onto the Wingate for the walk south to Beryl...go up the first little side canyon you come to. Climb a talus slope on the right to get above the first pouroff, the up to the next one where you'll see the log in the picture below...that's the way out. Walk the Wingate south, with great views of big canyon walls and the river.
Funny thing, Steve Allen said there's no way out of Beryl, but there is. I can't believe he missed it, because it's pretty obvious. Look around and you'll find it, but DON'T DO THE MOKI STEPS! One slip, and you're toast. There's a way down really close to them without all the exposure...about 30 feet away upcanyon.
Beryl is really nice, especially the long arm. At the end of it is a good seep and lots of greenery for a dry canyon. If you go in there, please practice no trace and no fires...it's pristine. When you're ready to leave, just climb down the exit and follow the river to Coyote...up that the the JHA route to the car.
Speaking of trash, although Coyote is still nice, I've decided to nickname it "Poop Canyon". Its shameful how much crap and toilet paper is in there. It seems a lot of folks just don't know what to do in that regard. It's a bummer to see a pile of dookie and a wad of ass wipe right next to the creek. A fair amount of regular trash, too...especially in the campsites. Oh well, it's still better than when the cows were in there.
Anyway...pictures.