Davis Gulch (3BIII)

Location: Escalante
Rating: Intermediate 3B III
Length: 5-8 hours
Mileage: ~8.5 to ~11 miles round trip
Longest Rappel: 40ft (12m)
Start: 36 miles down Hole in Rock Road
End: Loop
Permits: None
Wet Suit: No | Recommended in cold weather
Shuttle: No

Overview: Davis Gulch is a fantastic slot canyon with many opportunities to use your climbing skills. This canyon is only for those comfortable with down climbing and scrambling. The canyon offers a lot of variation and fun. Bring enough water. The hike back is a long, hot one.

Approach: From Hwy 12, leaving Escalante, turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road. From the turn-off, drive down Hole-In-The-Rock Road drive about 52 miles. Wow! You're almost to Hole in the Rock. Park at Reflection Canyon Trailhead. Notice a small camping area to the left of the road, just after the descent of a steep hill. 

Completing the Canyon: From the trailhead, follow the wash north. The first section has some minor down-climbs but is relatively straightforward. When the canyon opens again, you have an opportunity to escape if the canyon is too technical for you. The following section will present more difficulty.

The next section of the slot drops and provides more narrows. Again, handlines and aided down-climbing may be preferred. A climbing exit is easily visible on the left when the canyon opens again, just after the narrows, with a suggested climbing rating of 5.6 to 5.7.

Bement Arch is the next landmark and marks the halfway point of the canyon. At this point, the canyon will include more brush and bush-whacking. Nevertheless, you may find social trails for the most straightforward passage. An old fence on the north wall marks your exit. Follow an old cattle trail to the rim from the fence. Once on top of the canyon, you'll follow a path heading southwest away from Davis Gulch. Paths and social trails may be easy to lose. Head south/southwest until you intersect the road and navigate to your parking spot.