Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest, and while others are narrower, prettier or more challenging to explore, the length and variety of the terrain in the gulch make it the best overall. The canyon is narrow for 12 miles; the cliffs become steadily higher downstream, reaching a height of 500 feet above the streambed at the end, where Buckskin Gulch meets the Paria River which also flows through a deep canyon for several miles either side of the confluence.

Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch generally do not require rappelling equipment, but there may be a few pour-offs or the necessity to wade in ankle- to chest-high water and/or mud. Hiking Buckskin Gulch is extremely challenging. Be prepared with extra clothes to wear for warmth after wading through cold, stagnant pools of water, rather than depending on campfires, which are prohibited in this confined environment. Additionally, the lack of sun-light in the canyon can make it much colder than the surrounding exposed desert. At one point along the route, there is a 15-foot (4.6 m) drop-off that usually has rope, but it is a good idea to bring at least 30 feet (9.1 m) of rope to navigate some of the pour-offs. Also along the route, small areas of quicksand can be found.

Itinerary

Friday - Leave vegas and stop along the way for dinner. Car camp at wire-pass (our entry point).

Saturday - Me and the other driver will drive to "The White House" our exit point, and leave my suburban. Once the 2 of us get back to Wire Pass, we will hike about 12 miles until our campsite and potential water source at some "seeps". I will get an update on the water source as the date gets nearer.

Sunday - Hike out the remaining 9 miles to "The White House" where we will take the suburban back to the second vehicle at Wire Pass, then drive back to Vegas.

Additional Notes: I am limited by the permit to 8 people and 2 vehicles. I will need one volunteer to drive in addition to myself. The cost of the permit is $10 per person. Also figure approx. $20 per person for gas.