The Gulch (Upper)

Dogs Unknown

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This trail explores The Gulch north of Burr Trail Road. It starts to follow the wash along boot-worn paths on benches to the left and right. Throughout the second half of the trail, you'll mostly navigate through the streambed. The trail is very scenic with impressive canyon walls throughout.

From the parking lot, take the sandy path north and cross Long Canyon. There is a cow fence right on the other side. Stay on the east bench of the wash. After about 0.5 miles, Steep Creek enters on the left. You'll have to cross the wash before that and then jump across the creek. From this point on, the trail regularly crosses the wash, and it's not always easy to find the trail on the other side. You can also work your way through the streambed until you find the next section of the trail. The canyon narrows a bit further upstream offering a little shade on a hot day.

At 1.3 miles, you reach a pour-off that you can bypass on the left via a narrow sandy path up to a bushy bench with an old wire fence. The canyon widens after that. After a little over 4 miles, Water Canyon joins on the left. Depending on the season, there may not be water in The Gulch beyond that.

The going from here is easy and pleasant. Two major side canyons open on the right at 6 miles and 7 miles. At 8.2 miles, a prominent side canyon joins on the left – this is the access to Lamanite Arch. Keep following the wash to remain in The Gulch. After this point, the canyon becomes continually wider. While you could continue up the wash all the way into the Boulder Mountains, most people stop where the boot trail disappears near the 8.8 mile mark. With relative ease, those who wish to continue (or have pre-planned a shuttle) can follow this wash slightly farther to its intersection with BLM Road 126 (as mapped).