Dreamland Safari Tours – The Buckskin Gulch Primer
– By Dreamland Safari Tours –
Buckskin Gulch in southwestern Utah is considered the granddaddy of slot canyons and is arguably the longest, most continuous slot canyon in the world. Its red rock walls soar over 400’ into the sky above, and in many places, the slots are less than 10 feet (3 meters) wide. For many, exploring the narrow confines of Buckskin Gulch is a bucket list hike.
Backpacker Magazine lists Buckskin Gulch as one of the “10 most dangerous hikes in America,” and for good reason. Once you enter its narrow confines, the only spot to climb out is the Middle Route. The Paria Plateau, and the catchment area that extends to Bryce Canyon, drains into Buckskin when it rains, and there’s no way to escape a flash flood. So, not only do you need to know what the weather is doing in the area, but also in the region.
Need a conditions update? Call Dreamland Safari Tours at 435-644-5506 as they regularly guide both day trips and overnight backpacking trips into Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River Corridor.
There are three trailheads used to access Buckskin Gulch: 1) Wire Pass, which is by far the most popular and is accessed via House Rock Valley Road, 2) Buckskin Gulch (also off House Rock Valley Road), and 3) White House. All three trailheads require a $6 per person parking fee purchased in advance at recreation.gov or onsite. To access Wire Pass from the north, you must drive 9 miles of dirt on House Rock Valley Road from Highway 89. If it is wet, do not attempt this road as it becomes impassible, even for 4WD vehicles. Also, this road crosses Buckskin Wash, which can have quicksand and does flash flood.
If using Wire Pass, park at the big new parking lot, cross the road, and then hike the easy 1.7 miles to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch (keep your eyes open for petroglyphs). The terrain is flat to slightly downhill and the ground cobbly. Typically, there is an established ladder to get up and down one of the short boulder jams. There’s a bypass on the right before the canyon if it is missing. Most visitors hike a mile or two from the confluence before turning around and returning along the same route.
From the confluence, you can turn either left or right. The most spectacular section is to the right. It is 10 miles to the Paria River, with only the Middle Route, at just over 6 miles, as a possible climb out via some exposed scrambling. You will know you are at the Middle Route if you keep your eyes open for some very cool petroglyphs.
A few miles below the Middle route is the boulder jam. This obstacle is typically best passed via Moqui steps carved into a boulder. Typically, a short rope is fixed here, but having your own short 20-foot hand line may provide some peace of mind. Once past the boulder jam, it’s another few miles to the confluence with the Paria River – this junction is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open. Watch for petroglyphs along this section, as there is significant native American evidence here. There’s a fantastic camping spot with a seep/spring just above the junction. From the Paria/Buckskin confluence, it’s another 7.1 miles up the Paria River to White House.
Depending on the time of year, Buckskin may be totally dry or very muddy, or in more extreme conditions, accessible only by wading or swimming. Conditions change rapidly, and your enjoyment and how much time you spend in the canyon will be based on the conditions. This hike can be done as either a day hike or backpack. Most day hikes only explore a small part of the upper or lower canyon, but it is possible to do the entire 19.8 miles from Wire Pass to White House in a day, with a car shuttle.
Due to the potential for wading, trekking poles are a must. Non-waterproof shoes that drain work best. There’s no need for separate water shoes as your feet are likely to be wet for the duration of the hike. Two to three liters of water for a day trip is recommended, and because it is typically colder in the canyon than in the surrounding area, it’s always a good idea to bring some extra layers.
Dreamland Safari Tours offers both guided Buckskin Gulch day hikes and a two-night 3-day backpack from Wire Pass of Buckskin Gulch to White House (or a four-night five-day backpack in the Paria River Corridor from White House to Lee’s Ferry). Overnights do require a coveted overnight permit. Call Dreamland at 435-644-5506 for more information.
