Wire Pass - Buckskin Gulch - Paria Canyon

Hike Name: Wire Pass - Buckskin Gulch - Paria Canyon Location: north AZ Length: 43 Submitted by: Paul Ahee Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Arizona trail reviews Arizona national parks Arizona state parks
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Description
If you can't decide between slot canyon intimacy and imposing red-rock grandeur, then the Wire Pass - Buckskin Gulch - Paria River trek might be just what you're looking for.

Leave your truck in the 14 day parking lot at Lee's Ferry (south of Page AZ off St Rt 89 to St Rt 89A) and contract a local shuttle company to take you to the Wire Pass Trailhead

Starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead the hike begins with a rather unremarkable two miles before you enter the slender opening to Wire Pass. At times this slot narrows to
shoulder width as you snake your way through this sandstone tunnel for a few miles. Then turn right at it's confluence with Buckskin Gulch. For the next 10 miles or so you'll be in one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the country. There are a few scrambles
down moderate boulder falls, a burrow through a large log jam, a number of wades through murky pools and for good measure a 15 foot repel (bring a 30 foot rope).
You know, all and all good clean backbacking fun.
Your first day is likely to end about a quarter mile before the confluence with the Paria. Here, about a mile into a growingly muddy spring soaked stretch, you'll come to a few great campsitesl. If needed, it's only a short walk to water from here and it's quite possible you'll need it. The Paria will be the first potable water (with filtering) you'll
encounter. 14 miles
Off in the morning you'll quickly reach the afore mentioned Paria confluence. Definitely one of the coolest parts of the hike. Many people liken the confluence to a cathedral . . . . . and many people would be right. Be glad you hit this place fresh in the morning. It's too cool a place to slog through in the gloaming with your head down at the end of a long day's march. It's a great day's kickoff. Form here the canyon breaks away
from it's "narrows"� feel and blooms into a sterling river walk through some of the most
impressive red-rock country you'll ever see. Along the way there are springs aplenty, the continuing flow of the growing Paria and more breathtaking arches, auditoriums and sheer red-rock black varnished monoliths than you can imagine. Every turn is another gasper and this day's hike is a totally different from yesterday's.
Without working too hard (the going is easy here) you can stride and splash your way through a good 12 miles and still make camp a few hours before sundown. Time enough for a good bath, a leisurely dinner and whatever else you might have in mind.
After 26 miles, you'll have only about 17 miles left. And it's a good thing because from here the river begins to become more and more dynamic and hiking without water play becomes all but impossible. Today you'll encounter small waterfalls, maybe a beaver
dam, a couple of very cool private springs and too many places in the river just too
inviting to pass up. The deepest pools sink only a few feet but along with some of the slick-rock bottomed channels that are perfect for a full body aqua massage, you'll find yourselves in the water three or four times easy.
In the afternoon, after about 5 or 6 miles, the increasing amount of boulders start to make the going a little slower. Not technical or anything, just a little slower. At this time as well, the number of traditional campsites start to dwindle down. Beyond mile 33 expect to make camp on any flat spot you find.
Your final day starts out with the same tough bouldering but that gives way after about a mile. The canyon is widening now and the walls are drifting further away. Then with one turn, the ever-present red-rock suddenly gives way to it's vermilion cousin. The
Paria itself continues to grow more and more interesting peaking at about mile 38 where the deepest swimming holes and best waterfalls make their appearance.
Only a few miles further however and the grand scenic qualities of this fantastic four day hike quickly run out. It's at this point you'll want to look for the time saving overland trails (mostly away from the river) to speed your exit to Lee's Ferry. You'll reach the parking lot about noon. 7 miles

Directions to Hike
From Page, AZ, drive west on Highway 89 for 34 miles (55 kilometers). Drive past the BLM Ranger Station and the road to the White House trailhead. Turn left onto House Rock Valley Road. This road is compacted dirt. The Wire Pass trailhead is 8.3 miles (13.4 kilometers) down this dirt road.

From Kanab, UT, drive east on Highway 89 for 38 miles (61 kilometers). Turn right onto House Rock Valley Road. This road is compacted dirt. The Wire Pass trailhead is 8.3 miles (13.4 kilometers) down this dirt road.

Contact Information
The Paria Ranger Station can be accessed in all weather conditions.

BLM Kanab Field Office (435) 644-4600
BLM Arizona Strip District Office at (435) 688-3246

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