Davis Gulch

Davis Gulch

Grand Staircase
Escalante National Monument

Technical Canyoneering

          Buried deep inside Escalante National Monument you will find Davis Gulch. The route consists of a sweet upper canyon with two sections of slot and a lush lower canyon with large alcoves and Bement Arch. This is a great canyon for those entering the realm of technical canyoneering to gain some experience. Davis Gulch is also the notorious centerpiece of the Everett Ruess legend.

Circle of Friends:
          Davis Gulch is part of the "Circle of Friends" program. Members of the "Circle of Friends" have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints, trailhead location and detailed maps. If you would like more information on joining the "Circle of Friends" visit the sign up page.

"Circle of Friends"

Tom Alexander in Davis Gulch A subway type section of slot.

General Information:
          Davis Gulch is a great slot canyon that requires complete technical gear. Fall and spring are the preferred seasons to do this route. Davis Gulch is rated 3B III using the Canyon Rating System. The route is suitable for beginners with competent leadership. A GPS is useful. Good map reading skills are essential. Navigation for this route is moderate.

Working the water filled narrows of Davis Gulch. Bruce Neumann wading through Davis Gulch

Everett Ruess:
          Everett Ruess is a local legend; a young idealistic artist who fell in love with the redrock canyon country and began wandering ever deeper into the labyrinths of canyons. In October 1934, at the age of 20, Ruess set out from the town of Escalante and headed down Davis Gulch and disappeared into history. He was never heard from again. His work is immortalized in his journals, letters and art which he left behind.

          Many have speculated about what happened to Ruess and his disappearance is a local mystery. Some suspect he fell from a cliff, or drowned in a flashflood, perhaps he became stranded in a slot canyon, others think he was murdered. In any case, his statements on life and adventure, combined with his isolation and early death, have led to a kind of legendary status.

Bement Arch

Trailhead Information:
          The trailhead is accessible to all high clearance 2wd vehicles in normal weather conditions. A vehicle shuttle is not required to complete this route.


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