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I've taken a few trips to Lower Coyote Canyon, but until this last weekend, had never been on Upper Coyote Canyon.
All the guide books I could find described it to be far more technical and hazardous than Lower Coyote Canyon. There was an article in Backpacker Magazine, revealing a hike within Upper Coyote Canyon. I decided to pack up and see it for myself.
The trail into Lower Coyote goes from the desert floor, up into a canyon. Upper Coyote, however, went from the high desert, down into a canyon. I could see already that things would be more difficult.
I won't spoil the trail down into Upper Coyote Canyon for anyone else who wants to try it. Let's just say, the guide books were a little out-dated.
The basin you drop into was very scenic, with most of the trail traveling through natural washes. Just like Lower Coyote Canyon, Upper Coyote Canyon offered a good amount of trail diversity.
The hike was far from what Backpacker Magazine described it to be, but nevertheless enjoyable. We found a great camping area in one of the sections of the wash. Camping in desert washes is not advisable, but we were at rather high altitude and there was no risk of flash flood.
Notice the sign tells of a locked gate. There is only the remains of a gate that someone took a bulldozer to.
Indian grinding rock, fallen from it's ancient home, due to erosion.
All the guide books I could find described it to be far more technical and hazardous than Lower Coyote Canyon. There was an article in Backpacker Magazine, revealing a hike within Upper Coyote Canyon. I decided to pack up and see it for myself.
The trail into Lower Coyote goes from the desert floor, up into a canyon. Upper Coyote, however, went from the high desert, down into a canyon. I could see already that things would be more difficult.
I won't spoil the trail down into Upper Coyote Canyon for anyone else who wants to try it. Let's just say, the guide books were a little out-dated.
The basin you drop into was very scenic, with most of the trail traveling through natural washes. Just like Lower Coyote Canyon, Upper Coyote Canyon offered a good amount of trail diversity.
The hike was far from what Backpacker Magazine described it to be, but nevertheless enjoyable. We found a great camping area in one of the sections of the wash. Camping in desert washes is not advisable, but we were at rather high altitude and there was no risk of flash flood.
Notice the sign tells of a locked gate. There is only the remains of a gate that someone took a bulldozer to.

Indian grinding rock, fallen from it's ancient home, due to erosion.







