Sheets Gulch |

Notom Road

Hiking Sheets Gulch - Notom Road Hiking Sheets Gulch

Notom Road

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: Sandy Creek Benches, UT; Bear Canyon, UT

Fri

Partly sunny, with a high near 56. South southwest wind 8 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

56 | 35

Sat

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

55 | 37

Sun

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

50 | 36

Mon

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 30

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 57.

57 | 33

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, can be cold in the winter if there is water.
WATER: Often several pools.
FLASHFLOOD: High

Fri

Partly sunny, with a high near 56. South southwest wind 8 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

56 | 35

Sat

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

55 | 37

Sun

Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

50 | 36

Mon

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 30

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 57.

57 | 33

View Full Weather Details
Jason heading into the Chockstone Obstacle

Jason heading into the Chockstone Obstacle

Early narrows in Sheets Gulch

Early narrows in Sheets Gulch

Sheets Gulch has just enough obstacles to challenge the average hiker, but is scenic enough to keep a smile on all, but the most done it all desert hiker. The hike should be approachable by most groups, but a few minor up climbing challenges may stop a solo hiker. A little teamwork should easily surmount most of the obstacles.

Sheets Gulch is a good hike to do in the spring or fall, but can have a bit of wading and short pools. Avoid this hike in cooler temps after recent rain. Summer is do-able, but can be hot, and the canyon has high flash flood potential.

Jason in one of the early slot sections

Jason in one of the early slot sections

More  pics of the narrows in Sheets Gulch

More pics of the narrows in Sheets Gulch

Getting There

Travel east out of Capitol Reef National Park on highway 24. Just past the park, 0.25 miles, is the well signed Notom road. Head south on the Notom road 12.7 miles. The trailhead is on the right, and is a large parking area. If you crossed Sheets Gulch, you have gone about a 0.25 miles to far south.

Small tower before the dryfall

Small tower before the dryfall

Dryfall obstacle near the top

Dryfall obstacle near the top

Route

From the trailhead, follow the trail over the hill south and into Sheets Gulch. Head up the canyon, cutting corners on the social trail. About 30 minutes from the trailhead (1 mile), a side canyon comes in on the right. It seems obvious to stay left, but apparently this junction has been missed. About 10 minutes after, a side drainage comes in on the left. Again, this seems obvious, but could be missed, stay right in the main drainage.

The good stuff starts soon after, with a nice narrows section that is followed with a mix of open and slot sections. A few boulders and small pools add to the fun through this section. The canyon opens and closes many times, before a slot section that ends with (generally) a pool and chockstone. This can be tricky, and is best approached by chimneying up the left side. Another easier chockstone presents an obstacle a few minutes above, but is much easier. The canyon becomes more and more open before a bend with a short tower on the right. Just past the bend is a dryfall.

To pass the dryfall, follow the social trail on the south (right side looking down canyon). Once above the dryfall, the canyon stays open and is less interesting. Return the same way. About 5 miles / 3 hours one way to the top of the dryfall.


Maps

Route / 13.49 miles / Elevation Range 5,202 - 5,888 ft.
Printable Maps:
Trailhead

12S 493725mE 4218703mN

N38° 06' 58" W111° 04' 18"

Narrows

12S 492590mE 4217432mN

N38° 06' 17" W111° 05' 04"

Obstacle

12S 489533mE 4217510mN

N38° 06' 19" W111° 07' 10"

Dryfall

12S 488763mE 4217493mN

N38° 06' 19" W111° 07' 41"

Comments

Want to make a comment? Login and let yourself be heard.