Buckskin / Paria Canyon 6-22-23

Paria Canyon via Buckskin Gulch (Wire Pass Trailhead to Lees Ferry)

6 years later, after Deb and I did the route, Alex and Dan joined me for my second time down this canyon. Just like in 2017, we did this in 4 days – 3 nights. The weather was forecasted dry, but the canyon has seen a lot of rain this spring so we were expecting more water. Buckskin had pools waste deep but not many. Paria was running low but had lots of mud to navigate. Also, the Paria was very turbid with sediment, making it impossible to filter. Lots of running water at the springs and seeps, making water availability a non-issue.

Beautifull as always. Incredible Scenery! Day 1 and 2 were warm in the narrow slots, but day 3 and 4 were hot as the canyon opened up. We had a little thunder and rain on the 3rd evening, but nothing major.

Fun trip!

Most trips heading south include the first night camping on the Alvord Playa…

Parked the upper shuttle, and starting this trip at Wire Pass trailhead…

Starting out in the Coyote Wash to Buckskin Gulch…

In Buckskin Gulch, one of the longest slot canyon in the country…

After some recent rains the canyon holds water. It never got any deeper than our waist…

Cool Moth…

Interesting to see mushrooms is such a dry climate…

A good indication how deep the water can get in this canyon…

Dead things in canyons…

Alex and Dan took the left descent, and I took the right (Moki steps) descent)

See the 55 gallon barrel? It’s been there for a long time…

Camp – Night one…

For a moment I wished I had my Hot Wheels and Tonka Trucks…

Lots of these seeps available for drinking water…

This one is known as Big Springs. The water literally flows out inside that fern lined alcove. Just put your water container under the flow and the water is pure and doesn’t need to be filtered…