READERS COMMENTS

Hiked from Wirepass to Whitehouse in July 2010 with a group of older Boys Scouts. This is truly one of the great hikes in the world. It did start to rain when we were just past the cess pools in the deepest part of the canyon. We couldn't tell if the rumbling above us was from thunder far off or water coming down the canyon. It was a little unnerving. It turned out be be thunder which does have some amazing acoustics in this long narrow canyon. Luckly it didn't flash flood, but it did build up a pretty good stream that made hiking rather messy. It cooled things off nicely for a July hike. I can hear its siren's call again to return to explore its mysteries.


Posted: Apr 29, 2011 Jim

I have been in Buckskin 2 or 3 times. Look at the logs jammed way above your head. Flash floods put those there. A very dangerous cathedral. Got caught in a flood in the Paria near Buckskin (which did come from Bryce). That was frightening enough, as the Paria grew to the size of the Colorado River. Some Australians in Buckskin were lucky to survive.
Cloudless days only please & take the time to stop at the ranger station.
Posted: Feb 25, 2011 jim

I've done this route twice; the first time solo from Buckskin trailhead, the second from White House with my wife. Camping across from the springs and seeing a full-moon was an amazing experience. Is the End Of The Trail shuttle service still in operation?
Posted: Dec 31, 2010 Derek Young

LOVE this hike, one of my all time favorites.

Hiked the full length of Buckskin through Paria a few years back, in October, the typically "safest" time of year and was caught in a HUGE flash flood. Camped at mile 38 we awoke to chocolate waterfalls over the edge, boulders tumbling and a nearby side canyon sweeping away a few incidental pieces of gear. We spent an extra day on high ground watching the raging waters recede and enjoying the sunny afternoon. Completely out of water, and past the last spring, we tried to hike out the next day but ended up stranded on the wrong side of the river. Trip ended with a helicopter escort for the last 7 miles. Memorable for sure!
Posted: Dec 30, 2010 Kristen

Did the White House - Highway - 4X4 road - Buckskin Gulch - Paria - White House loop several years ago. 38 miles - Incredible trip!! Will never forget the Cess Pool. Deep sticky mud up to my knees. Some ground squirrels apparently starved to death after getting in the mud and then were unable to get traction to get out. It was good to get to the pools of water to wash off the mud. Also remember dead crows in the bottom of the slot that may not have been able to get out of the canyon. My guess is crows do not fly straight up, they gain altitude slowly, and the narrow canyon did not provide a flight path long enough to escape. Any other thoughts on this??
Posted: Dec 30, 2010 Geezer Runner

truly beautiful and awesome to see how high those clumps of flood debris are. Definitely necessary to check recent and upcoming weather.
Posted: Oct 11, 2010 KBR

My favorite hike ever ... definitely one you have to try in your life! A great memory!
Posted: May 17, 2010 Anonymous

I took a group of Family and friends thru this pass Oct. It's one for the mermony books. Like everyone saying you have to be on ur toes. Plan on doing the twelve miles the first day. Lots of mud, and muddy water to go thru. So be prepared.

CW
Posted: Dec 31, 2009 C. Watson

I hiked solo from the Wire Pass TH to the White House TH on Saturday and did not come across a single person all day. This is an amazing hike and a great experience. I was so busy taking photos over the first several hours that I had to pick up the pace slightly (and take less photos) after getting to the Middle Route. I left around 8:00 AM, and the entire hike took just over 10 hours.

I arranged shuttle service through Steve Dotson at Paria Outpost (a good guy), and he was on time at White House TH. Michael Kelsey -- the author of several well-known books on the area -- was at the WH TH that morning and getting ready for a hike down the Paria.
Posted: Sep 01, 2009 WB

We are planning a backpacking trip into buckskin. Our group wants to make it to the confluence the first day. Is that doable? We are all in good health and shape, but it is 14 miles. Could you e-mail with the pros and cons of this? thanks
Posted: Aug 26, 2009 darla wright

Narrow to be sure and less ability to escape than most, but there are numerous spots that widen out a little bit, many with sand hills high enough to escape many flood emergencies (although a big enough flood would likely erode these away), but there are also mile or longer stretches with nowhere to go. Also, Buckskin originates some 40 miles away at the southern flank of Bryce Canyon, so there could be major storms feeding it with sunny skies above, and it takes approx 15 hours(??, ask rangers) for water to drain from up there to Buckskin, so it could have rained early the night before and come down and swamp you on a beautiful day with no rain predicted. Not dangerous if planned well and done at the right time. Check with rangers the morning you depart in addition to the NOAA forecast.Also, it's actually 16 miles from Buckskin TH to the confluence with the Paria and 13 from the Wire Pass TH to the Paria, not 12 for the whole length as mentioned above. And if you want to spend any kind of time enjoying and taking pictures, start at daybreak. Parts can be slow going, and I didn't even have to wade through a puddle last spring (a rarity in this slot, but it's been several years of drought conditions). Most years, up to a mile wade or even swim in brackish cold water is to be expected.
Posted: Nov 18, 2008 Jon Ferguson

When I went through Buckskin I walked under huge clumps of flash flood debris (a ton or so of logs, brush, rocks, ect). I couldn't touch these clumps with my extended arm and staff. One of the best hikes I ever made.
Posted: Nov 14, 2008 Eric Johnson

My brother, Leland Howard, and I hiked from the Wire Pass tributary canyon into Buckskin Gulch. An other-worldly experience, that's for certain. We included the hike in our book "Utah's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide" and my brother posted some of the images on www.wildernessbooks.com. Enjoy.
Posted: Nov 14, 2008 Lynna Howard

I've done the Paria hike twice - once from Buckskin Gulch trailhead, the other from White House. The petrogylph wall at the confluence of Wire Pass and Buckskin is amazing, and will never forget the scenary, isolation, and peace.
Posted: Nov 14, 2008 Derek

This is a beautiful hike with a great panel of rock art at the junction of Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch.
Posted: Nov 14, 2008 Firekeeper

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