Grand Gulch
Kane Gulch to Bullet Canyon is the standard traverse, normally three days, past cliff dwellings, granaries and rock art left by people who occupied the canyon between roughly 700 and 2000 years ago.
Strong parties do it in two days and four or more is better if you actually want to look at the sites. Overnight travel needs a reserved BLM backpacking permit, 15 dollars per person per trip, capped at 20 people per trailhead per day, sold on recreation.gov starting three months ahead and self issued from 14 days out. Day hiking runs on the separate day use pass instead. Do not count on walking into Kane Gulch Ranger Station: it is open Thursday through Sunday, 8 am to noon, spring and fall only, and has no public phone. In person check in is no longer required for backpacking permits, so print yours. Check the BLM current conditions report before you go, since it covers road and water conditions and water in the gulch is seasonal.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Monticello Field Office, Bears Ears National Monument |
|---|---|
| Permit | Overnight backpacking requires a reserved Cedar Mesa permit, 15 dollars per person per trip, capped at 20 people per trailhead per day, booked via recreation.gov or the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. Day hiking uses the separate day-use pass (5 dollars per person per day). |
| Distance | 22.8 mi |
| Time | 72 hr |
| Technical | longest 0 ft |
| Season | Early Autumn to Late Spring;BEST in Mar;Apr;Sep;Oct |
| Coordinates | 37.4457, -110.0432 |
Sources
- permit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/utah/cedarmesa
- manager: https://www.blm.gov/office/monticello-field-office
- desc: https://climb-utah.com/CM/uppergrand.htm
- notes: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/utah/cedarmesa
- heroPhoto: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Gulch_Primitive_Area_Near_San_Juan_River,_Utah_(15394663654).jpg