Coyote Gulch is a tributary of the Escalante River, located in Garfield and Kane Counties in southern Utah, in the western United States. Over 25 miles (40 km) long, it exhibits many of the geologic features found in the Canyons of the Escalante, including high vertical canyon walls, narrow slot canyons, domes, arches, and natural bridges. A popular recreational destination, it is located within both the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (upper sections) and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (lower sections).
The headwaters of Coyote Gulch have their origins along a 14 mile (22 km) segment of the Straight Cliffs, the eastern edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau. These intermittent streams merge to form larger branches, including Dry Fork, Big Hollow, the main branch of Coyote Gulch, and Hurricane Wash. The combined flow from these branches have carved a canyon up to 900 feet (300 m) deep into sandstone layers, before meeting the main channel of the Escalante River.
The northernmost branch, Dry Fork, is one of the most popular destinations in the area. A short side road leads off from the Hole-in-the-Rock Road to a trailhead above the wash. A brief descent then leads to four areas of interest. The Dry Fork Narrows is an excellent example of how occasional flash floods have carved a narrow slot into the underlying Navajo Sandstone. Approximately 20 feet (7 m) deep, the slot can be followed upstream for several hundred yards. Further upsteam from this area is a large sandstone dome exhibiting extensive layering and crossbedding, remnants of its formation from sand dunes.
The headwaters of Coyote Gulch have their origins along a 14 mile (22 km) segment of the Straight Cliffs, the eastern edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau. These intermittent streams merge to form larger branches, including Dry Fork, Big Hollow, the main branch of Coyote Gulch, and Hurricane Wash. The combined flow from these branches have carved a canyon up to 900 feet (300 m) deep into sandstone layers, before meeting the main channel of the Escalante River.
The northernmost branch, Dry Fork, is one of the most popular destinations in the area. A short side road leads off from the Hole-in-the-Rock Road to a trailhead above the wash. A brief descent then leads to four areas of interest. The Dry Fork Narrows is an excellent example of how occasional flash floods have carved a narrow slot into the underlying Navajo Sandstone. Approximately 20 feet (7 m) deep, the slot can be followed upstream for several hundred yards. Further upsteam from this area is a large sandstone dome exhibiting extensive layering and crossbedding, remnants of its formation from sand dunes.
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