Sheets Gulch

Sheets Gulch is a 13.4-mile out-and-back from Notom–Bullfrog Road to an intermittent seep with cottonwoods. The first 6.7 miles go west up the wash from open sandy ground into tight slots, then toward red Wingate walls and a wider canyon. It is a difficult day hike for experienced canyon hikers; allow about five to seven hours and treat the seep as a full-day turnaround, not a quick taste of slot canyon.

The signed access begins just north of the road crossing. The route drops from low ground into the broad wash, then follows its sandy bottom. At about a mile, stay left of the major drainage entering from the right (north); shortly afterward, stay right at the next drainage. Much of the route is unmarked, and cairns may be missing or point the wrong way, so bring a map and be comfortable navigating without a maintained trail.

Farther in, the wash tightens into sandstone narrows with small chockstones and pools. A particularly tall section shows cross-bedded rock and honeycomb weathering, with a few bends that catch the sun. Sheets Gulch Arch sits on a north-side bench around 3½ miles in. Reaching its base involves a short scramble up slickrock beside the wash; it is an optional detour, not part of the mapped route.

At about 4.1 miles, a chockstone and pool form the route’s most difficult obstacle; most hikers may need a partner’s help. Pools elsewhere can mean deep wading or a short swim. Around 5.3 miles, a high pour-off blocks the wash in a cave-like chamber. The described bypass backtracks roughly 100 yards, then climbs out on the left (north) side before dropping back to the wash. Expect the obstacles to take longer than the mileage suggests.

Past the pour-off, Douglas firs appear on cool north-facing slopes and the canyon walls shift from white Navajo sandstone toward red Wingate. At about 6.7 miles, an intermittent seep with cottonwoods marks the recommended day-hike turnaround; the canyon soon widens. Retrace the same wash to the road. Continuing onward to South Draw Road and Tantalus Flats makes a separate, roughly 11.6-mile one-way through-hike, with different vehicle and overnight logistics.

Water sources are unreliable, so carry what you need for the entire walk. Flash floods are a serious canyon hazard; avoid the route whenever rain is possible. This is an unmaintained route with tight slots, dryfalls, chockstones and sometimes deep pools, not a casual wash stroll. Pets are not allowed on trails or in backcountry areas. Overnight trips require a free backcountry permit.