Buckskin Gulch is a well-known slot canyon in Utah boasting the title because the longest steady slot canyon on this planet. Based on the Bureau of Land Administration, Buckskin Gulch travels by way of roughly 16 miles of distinctive formations and rippled sandstone partitions within the northern stretch of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Though you are able to do the entire Buckskin Gulch hike in an extended day, you can too have an exquisite and shorter expertise doing the Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike. That hike takes solely about three hours.
On the Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike, you might be additionally in a position to discover the Wire Cross slot canyon – a worthy expertise in my opinion. If you happen to’re within the Web page – Kanab space, this can be a nice solution to expertise two slot canyons on one hike. Over a number of miles you’ll stroll by way of a wash, cross the turnoff to the Wave (don’t even attempt to sneak in), stand in awe whereas trying up the hovering canyon partitions, climb down a 10-foot ladder, and see some petroglyphs, if you already know the place to look. Additionally, you will witness the facility of a flash flood – cue the outdated ladder wedged excessive between the canyon partitions of Buckskin Gulch.
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Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike abstract
- Permits are required to hike from Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch. (See beneath for particulars.)
- Canines are allowed on the hike, however additionally they want a allow. Use widespread sense on whether or not to convey them with you on sizzling days.
- It is a family-friendly hike, and one children will love.
- Earlier than you head for the Wire Cross trailhead, examine street circumstances right here. You can too name the Paria Ranger Station at (435) 644-1200 for the freshest info.
- If you’re becoming a member of a tour, it is best to know that from mid-March till early November, Arizona is one hour behind Utah. Arizona doesn’t observe daylight saving time.
- Whereas you can begin on the Buckskin Trailhead, it’s a not-so-interesting 3 mile stroll in a sandy dry wash earlier than you attain the Buckskin Gulch slot canyon – Wire Cross Path junction. It’s a lot quicker and extra rewarding to start out on the Wire Cross trailhead.
- Don’t depend on mobile phone service when you attain the trailhead. If you happen to want maps obtain offline Google maps and maps from no matter path app you employ.
- If you happen to’re not on a tour, make sure to let somebody know your itinerary and while you anticipate to be again.
- Pit bogs can be found on the Wire Cross trailhead car parking zone.
- Go away no hint, packing out no matter you pack in.
- Be sensible about your skills. Flip again when the mountaineering will get uncomfortable. You have to be ready for a 10-foot ladder and water or mud alongside the path.
- You do not want to hold rope to do that a part of Buckskin Gulch.
- Don’t depend on water provides within the canyons. Carry no matter consuming water you’ll want.
The benefit of utilizing a tour firm
John and I have been fortunate to go along with a information from Grand Circle Excursions. Usually we don’t want mountaineering guides however there are a number of benefits to going guided on this hike.
- The tour firm will set up all of the permits – and whereas that will not require a number of work, it’s one much less factor so that you can do.
- If you happen to’re touring solo, you’ll have some firm, and it’s an entire lot safer.
- You don’t have to fret about attending to the trailhead. It’s not that it’s laborious to search out, however I wouldn’t need to wreck my automotive or take a primary rental automotive on such a street.
- Our information, Bruce, identified issues alongside the path we’d have missed. We realized the story about how laborious the tour firms needed to push to permit one ladder for use on this protected wilderness space. (Observe that it’s made with solely pure supplies!) We’d have gone proper by The Queen” with out giving her a passing look, and there’s an excellent likelihood we’d have missed the petroglyphs.
- Lunch and water are offered so all you must do is present up with the correct footwear and clothes.
- The information is educated for emergencies. In addition they can have checked the native climate, so you already know for those who’re going, save for a freak storm, it’s secure to take action.
Do you want a allow to hike to Buckskin Gulch by way of Wire Cross?
Permits are required to hike to Buckskin Gulch by way of Wire Cross. Day hikers require a day-use allow, however advance permits are wanted you probably have plans to camp within the canyon.
The Buckskin Gulch Day use allow prices $6.00 per individual and $6.00 per canine. A Buckskin Gulch Day use allow is required for anybody getting into Bucking Gulch by way of the Buckskin Trailhead, White Home Trailhead, and the Wire Cross Trailhead. The cross CANNOT be used for some other areas together with Paria Canyon, Coyote Buttes North (The Wave), or Coyote Buttes South. Permits MUST be displayed in your automobile dashboard. The PASS ID must be seen. In addition they ask that you simply signal the register stepping into and popping out.
Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable and can’t be changed if they’re misplaced or stolen. The underside line – cross your fingers you’ve picked an excellent date with no rain within the forecast, and also you don’t lose the allow!
BEFORE YOU GO: Buy the Buckskin Gulch Day use allow earlier than you drive to the trailhead, particularly since cell indicators can’t be relied upon on the trailhead. You’ll be able to buy it on-line right here.
Don’t try and keep away from paying. Rangers examine on a regular basis, and the fines aren’t definitely worth the danger.
There are multi-day choices to hike Buckskin Gulch to Paria Canyon and all the best way to Lee’s Ferry. Solely 20 backpacking permits are given out daily so it’s very aggressive to attain a allow. An ideal useful resource is the put up by Intelligent Hiker.
Easy methods to get to the Wire Cross trailhead
From Kanab drive 37 miles east on Freeway 89. If you happen to’re coming from Web page, drive 36 miles west on Freeway 89. Flip south onto the Cockscomb Home Rock Valley Street and proceed for roughly 4.5 miles. It turns into Home Rock Valley Street simply after you cross the Buckskin Gulch trailhead. Proceed for an additional 3.5 miles to succeed in the Wire Cross trailhead in your proper or west aspect of the street.
Home Rock Valley Street is a gravel – dust mixture that’s impassable when moist, even with excessive clearance, four-wheel-drive autos. Many individuals will inform you which you could attain the Wire Cross trailhead in a two-wheel-drive, excessive clearance automobile. If it’s your personal automotive and also you don’t thoughts the considered leaving a again bumper alongside the best way, go for it. Many of the street is ok – however there are a few steep washes the place it could be simple to run into hassle. And if it’s a rental automotive you’re driving, be careful, as there’s in all probability a clause stopping you from driving such roads.
We drove into the trailhead with a information. His advice was to solely use a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance automobile – and that’s primarily based on his observations over time of what number of rescues are wanted. Use somewhat widespread sense and don’t go close to the street if it’s wet or snow-covered or you probably have no four-wheel driving expertise.
From Arizona
It’s additionally doable to drive to the Wire Cross trailhead from the Arizona aspect of the border by way of Freeway 89A and Home Rock Street. On the Utah – Arizona border, Home Rock Street turns into Home Rock Valley Street. If you happen to do this, make sure to cease on the Condor Viewing website, seen shortly after turning north onto Home Rock Street.
Use the identical precautions on Home Rock Street as you’ll on Home Rock Valley Street. Don’t drive if it’s moist or rain or snow are within the forecast.
What’s Buckskin Gulch?
Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon on this planet – and simple to entry by way of Wire Cross. Water from the Buckskin Gulch slot canyon drains a part of Vermilion Cliffs Nationwide Monument with that water getting into the Paria River, and in the end the Colorado River. Close to the junction with the Paria River canyon partitions soar 400 toes. In some sections the partitions are solely 10 toes aside however after my canyoneering expertise within the Grand Staircase Escalante slot canyons , that sounds positively extensive.
Wire Cross – Buckskin Gulch path stats
Path Distance: It’s 1.8 miles one solution to the junction of Wire Cross and Buckskin Gulch. From there, for those who go proper, you possibly can proceed for a few mile earlier than it will get very moist and muddy. You couldn’t get very far within the different path once we visited. We bumped into a number of water and dirt inside 5 minutes of mountaineering.
Elevation Achieve: Minimal
Canyon width: Some elements of the Wire Cross slot canyon are simply three toes extensive.
Problem: Straightforward
Time Required: 3 – 4 hours
Finest time to go: Shoulder season; October – November and April – June.
Our expertise on the Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike
John and I did the Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike with Grand Circle Excursions. Our information Bruce has been main excursions for years and actually is the one that builds the ladders that makes the journey to Buckskin Gulch that rather more doable. He informed us that he makes two ladders at a time as they’re all the time getting washed away. Take heed as this canyon has a repute for harmful flash floods.
There’s a path register within the car parking zone which it is best to signal for those who’re not in a bunch, so somebody has a document of while you began.
The hike begins throughout the street. Observe Coyote Wash for a few mile – staying within the wash to keep away from hurting the vegetation. Cross a beautiful part of sandstone full of wave-like patterns earlier than you enter the Wire Cross slot canyon. Very quickly attain the 10-foot ladder. It’s well-built and there’s a spot for somebody to step off and assist others. For security’s sake, stroll down the ladder, dealing with the rock. (In busy durations there could be a line-up to get down and again up the ladder.)
After the ladder the canyon opens once more. We may see one other route with folks on it, who have been avoiding the ladder altogether, although it’s steep – scroll right down to see the photograph.
On the exit of the Wire Cross canyon, about 1.8 miles from the trailhead, you’ll see a large wall of rock reaching for the sky. If you happen to time it proper, the rock face virtually glows. On the backside of the rock close to the right-hand nook as you’re looking of the Wire Cross slot canyon are petroglyphs. Look however don’t contact! Many individuals flip round the place the Wire Cross slot canyon meets Buckskin Gulch however for those who’ve received the time preserve going.
We turned proper and continued strolling for a few mile till the Buckskin Gulch slot canyon narrowed and received fairly muddy and moist. It’s all very flat by way of right here and simple strolling. On the finish there was some simple rock hopping. You probably have a allow to hike the entire of Buckskin Gulch, put on your outdated garments as you’re going to get muddy!
We spent about 3.5 hours in whole within the two slot canyons, however that features a cease for lunch the place Buckskin Gulch meets Wire Cross. You might hike it far quicker than we did, however I wouldn’t advocate it. It is a very particular a part of Utah that’s like no different you may have probably visited. Decelerate. Search for. Benefit from the magnificence and the expertise.
What’s one of the best time of 12 months to hike to Buckskin Gulch from Wire Cross?
Don’t hike Buckskin Gulch throughout the monsoon season which usually lasts from mid-July to mid-September. Storms are tough to foretell and once they occur, there’s a excessive danger of flash floods. As you possibly can see within the photograph beneath, the water degree one 12 months moved the ladder from the Wire Cross Canyon to Buckskin Canyon and left it about 20 – 25 toes up within the air. Fast exits from the slot canyons are laborious to search out.
How laborious is the hike for canine?
Though your canine is allowed on the path (after paying the $6 charge), they could have a tough time. Apart from blistering warmth in the summertime months, there’s one ten-foot ladder you and your canine should negotiate. For most individuals, it’s not an issue. However getting your four-footed good friend down after which up once more it’s one other factor altogether.
We helped a few ladies with their canine, lifting it up so they might seize it. The larger the canine, the larger the issue. You’ll be able to keep away from the ladder altogether by taking a steep aspect path however not everybody is aware of about it – and it takes longer.
The place to remain in Kanab and close by
John and I spent one evening at Canyon’s Boutique Lodge. It has a incredible onsite restaurant known as Sego.
We spent one other couple of nights at Cave Lakes Canyon Ranch. It affords glamping tents in a tranquil setting however there isn’t a onsite restaurant so you will want to convey meals, cutlery and plates or drive into Kanab.
If you happen to’re on a tenting price range, try the Stateline Campground, positioned on the Utah – Arizona border. There are 8 campsites and it’s free.
Location map of the Wire Cross to Buckskin Gulch hike
What else are you able to do within the space?
Different hikes within the Kanab – St. George space
Planning extra time in Utah?
If you happen to’re planning to go to a few of Utah’s well-known nationwide parks or the Moab space then I believe you’ll discover lots of the following blogs useful.
Arches Nationwide Park and the Moab space
Capitol Reef Nationwide Park
An enormous thanks to Go to Utah for internet hosting me. All ideas and opinions are mine alone.
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