Hiking from Capitol Reef to Coyote Gulch - Hayduke Trail Thru Hike 7

Leaving Capitol Reef National Park on our 800 mile thru hike of the Hayduke Trail, we begin the Baker Route alternate through Stevens Canyon. Hiking along what seems like impossible rock ledges, hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. Contouring every twist and turn, the navigation is tricky and fun, the desert landscape is incredibly beautiful, and there are some really unique natural rock arches along the way! We follow the Escalante River, and then hike through the famous Coyote Gulch to finish this section. It is my favorite day of hiking I have ever had.

Hayduke Trail Gear List:
Shorts - http://tinyurl.com/ykdx7fwe
Hat - http://tinyurl.com/5bwua2cy
Shirt - https://amzn.to/4a9cRaU
Shoes - https://amzn.to/3wvKKnm
Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp

Backpack - http://tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Quilt - https://tinyurl.com/yc2h5d54
Shelter - https://tinyurl.com/mv9f66r2
Foam Pad - http://tinyurl.com/3wn5zuh2
Ground Sheet - http://tinyurl.com/3yxhhbbn
Stakes - https://amzn.to/3TXTMTF

Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - http://tinyurl.com/4hxdpden
Beanie - http://tinyurl.com/3ynkyca3
Wind Pants - https://tinyurl.com/mtdxxztb
Socks - https://amzn.to/3DDlk73
Sunglasses - https://tinyurl.com/mrx785s6

Water Bladder - https://amzn.to/3V5zskj (Carrying 6L)
Water Filter - https://amzn.to/3UQXI9t
Spoon - https://amzn.to/3cA3mVG

Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Battery - Ravpower PD Pioneer 20,000mah 60w
Charger - Ravpower PD Pioneer 30w 2-port
Camera - https://amzn.to/3wjb6sG
Lens - https://amzn.to/3IRQV8q
Microphone - https://amzn.to/4cBW6GY
Camera Clip - https://amzn.to/4cvIgpT
Watch Charger - https://amzn.to/3PJ5zm3

Bidet - https://tinyurl.com/5hav84xd
Toothbrush - https://amzn.to/3tkN4GY
Knife - https://amzn.to/3r3psb7
Trowel - https://amzn.to/3u6VIMr
Blister Tape - https://amzn.to/3qZ55f9
Chaffe Cream - https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Wallet - http://tinyurl.com/3bbsup83

The Baker Route Alternate through Stevens Canyon is one of the most significant alternates on the entire Hayduke Trail. While most alts are just a few miles in length or shorter, this one is multiple days in length and extremely involved when it comes to route finding and difficulty. It avoids a thirty mile hike along the Escalante River, which may sound like a nice thing but in reality is an agonizing multi day bushwhack.

If you're carrying a pack raft to float the river, or if you want a less dangerous or less technical option, by all means walk the Escalante! For everyone else, I would recommend Stevens Canyon instead. You'll get to see more of Capitol Reef National Park, it's remote southern corners, and you'll get some of the most amazing hiking in the world after that.

We started our day seeing a giant herd of bighorn sheep scaling the rock walls, to then descend into Stevens Canyon, to walk it's ledges. We navigate up and down to the bottom to the top, over crazy obstacles. We hike through water in the canyon floor, and we finish with great views of Stevens Arch, one of the biggest natural rock arches in the world.

We follow the Escalante River for just one easy mile, again with views of Stevens Arch, and then enter the popular Coyote Gulch. Coyote Gulch is another canyon that is just absolutely stunning. Full of Rock Arches, a beautiful river running through the center with swimming holes around every corner, and fun hiking all around.

The town of Escalante even turned out to be our favorite trail town along our entire thru hike. Amazing food at the Escalante Outfitter, a nice gear store across the street. Cheap hotels, and seriously if you're wanting a zero day this is definitely the place!

This entire section from the Burr Trail Switchbacks all the way to Escalante is probably the best section on the Hayduke Trail, and would be an amazing section hike for those interested. You'll never get to do things like this on any other thru hike! Not the Arizona Trail, not the Pacific Crest Trail, not the Continental Divide Trail. Nowhere on the Triple Crown is even sort of similar to what the Hayduke offers on a daily basis.

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