Day 1: We left Las Vegas and drove about 5 hours to the BLM Visitor Center in Escalante, UT. From there we continued for another hour to the trailhead, where temperatures were about 100 degrees. We couldn't wait for the rest of the crew in the blazing sun, so we started down the trail. We stopped 6.5 miles out and camped on a rocky bench above the creek.

Day 2: We continued down Coyote Gulch about 2.5 miles to Jacob Hamblin Arch where we camped in the enormous alcove at the toe of the fin that forms the arch. With such a short day of hiking, we explored a side canyon along the way.

Day 3: We continued down Coyote Gulch about 5 miles, passing Coyote Arch and Jug Handle Arch along the way. We camped in another huge alcove about 1 mile upstream from the Escalante River.

Day 4: We day-tripped down the canyon and climbed onto a promontory overlooking the Escalante River. On the other side of the river, we had a great view of Stevens Arch. We then dropped into and hiked up the Escalante for a mile or so. The crew returned via the same route, but I continued down the Escalante River to the confluence with Coyote Gulch. Hiking back up Coyote Gulch alone, I learned about the difficult traverse necessary to pass a large obstacle that blocks easy passage.

Day 5: We hiked 5 miles back to Jacob Hamblin Arch, arriving by lunch time, and relaxed for the rest of the day. We passed part of the afternoon planning a surprise birthday party for one of the crew.