I am at the tail-end of planning my backpacking/canyoneering trip to Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. My wilderness permit is from April 30 and I'm planning on 5 or 6 days to conquer approximately 55 miles from the Wire Pass TH to Lee's Ferry and spend a day at the Wave. I am hoping someone here can help me with some logistics. I hired a ride from Lee's Ferry to the trailhead very early in the morning and I am planning on arriving at Lee's Ferry the night before. I don't really want to stay at a hotel and was looking for a place to park and get a quiet night of sleep in my truck that night. Does anyone know what the rules are and if I can just do that in the parking lot where I'm being picked up at or are there better locations near by?
Also, the first day of the trip I plan on spending at the Wave and need a spot to camp near the wire pass trail/the wave. Has anyone camped near that area? I heard that there might be a campsite near the TH but it's not very clear how far it really is (map is not to scale). Is it possible for me to just pitch a tent away from streams and trail and spend the night that way? I know I'm supposed to camp in designated campsites but the first one within the canyon is 14 miles in and that's not including the ~6 miles for the Wave. So I am trying to figure out some other alternatives and make the best of my first day there without killing myself... that will come later ;)
I might call the ranger station this week to see what the rules are but wanted to check with everyone here first.
There is a campground with 4 open spots just a shade under 2 miles south of the Wire Pass trailhead on the House Rock road called Stateline campground. No water available.
If it's full, all the land around the area is BLM land, so you can just find a secure place to pull off the main road and camp anywhere. You certainly won't be the first, and probably will see traces from other campers wherever you stop.
If you're just going to sleep in your vehicle, then you can do it at the parking area for Wire Pass.
There's also a campground that charges a fee just a mile and a half from the boat ramp at Lee's Ferry. I'm sure you can camp in your vehicle at the parking area, though. If you don't have one of those 'Hide-A-Key' magnetic cases, consider buying one to have an extra set of keys handy at your vehicle for your return.
Sounds like an excellent trip...best of luck and light!
Last two trips to Buckskin/Wave I have camped at the Wire Pass Trailhead, last November I just slept on the ground under the stars next to my car, previous time I just setup a tent in the parking lot, no issues either time.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 22, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I've only been on day hikes into Buckskin.
I understand further in there are stagnant pools that are deep enough to require a swim.
Has anyone here done the full Buckskin Gulch hike in the Spring?
I'd be concerned about hypothermia issues with the cold water and lack of sunlight in the slot.
A full dry suit would be a PITA to carry. Maybe some long underwear to change into until you warm up?
Or, is this just not an issue.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 22, 2009 at 11:19 PM
It changes every year, depending on the previous year's flash flood cycle and the winter precipitation.
I've crossed what's commonly called 'The Cesspool' when it was shoulder deep and when it was waist deep. Others have had to swim as you noted. The water can be chilly, but certainly not like the pools in 'The Black Hole' of White Canyon.
The chalkboard at the Paria Ranger Station always has the relatively current depth posted.
Thanks John and Jody for your info on camping. That was what I thought but wanted to confirm.
I've done a lot of research planning this trip (it's been on top of my list for years) and April/May time frame seems to be ideal. Lowest risk of flooding and the heat isn't that bad yet. I'm aware of the deeper areas and the chilly water temp and it doesn't scare me but thanks for your concern Bill.
Posted by Kurt Budde on March 23, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Pools are knee deep at the moment in Buckskin - as of one week ago.
Camp where you want on House Rock Road, any pullout.
I'm not a rocky NPer, and just browsed over here for no real reason.. and saw your post title - I did this trip last year march. You should have the cottonwoods leafed out, which will make some nice color contrasts for you (when I was there they were just spraying pollen everywhere). You can camp at the confluence of wirepass and buckskin, but there's not water of course, but it's a great spot to hang out. When I went we camped there one night, and at the end of buckskin two nights, and spent our extra time/days dayhiking back into buckskin to shoot (buckskin is by far more photogenic than any other part of the trip IMO). There are some spots you could camp in buckskin too, if the weather looks decent.
If you have any specific questions feel free to email me, as I'm not sure when I'll next wander into this forum.
While I'm sure you've done your research... a few tips just in case..
While you try to avoid it, you will likely end up needing to drink Paria river water, which is super nasty (silty), it'll kill your filter immediately, taste really bad, and iodine won't work very well... bring some alum tablets, and something let the water settle in - the alum will take out the silt, then you can filter the water as normal. Just letting the water sit for an hour helps too, but it's still going to be gray.
Use neoprene socks or something like that - keeps the sand out and your feet warm. We used quickdraining trail running shoes, definitely a good choice (or the canyoneering shoes, but those might be overkill for a lot of the hike). Hiking boots would be a bad idea for most of the sections.
Bring a rope for the drop off at the end of buckskin (mostly to lower gear down).
Bring hiking poles to help with quicksand, and for probing the unknown pools in buckskin.
Discussion
7 repliesAlso, the first day of the trip I plan on spending at the Wave and need a spot to camp near the wire pass trail/the wave. Has anyone camped near that area? I heard that there might be a campsite near the TH but it's not very clear how far it really is (map is not to scale). Is it possible for me to just pitch a tent away from streams and trail and spend the night that way? I know I'm supposed to camp in designated campsites but the first one within the canyon is 14 miles in and that's not including the ~6 miles for the Wave. So I am trying to figure out some other alternatives and make the best of my first day there without killing myself... that will come later ;)
I might call the ranger station this week to see what the rules are but wanted to check with everyone here first.
Thanks for any help
If it's full, all the land around the area is BLM land, so you can just find a secure place to pull off the main road and camp anywhere. You certainly won't be the first, and probably will see traces from other campers wherever you stop.
If you're just going to sleep in your vehicle, then you can do it at the parking area for Wire Pass.
There's also a campground that charges a fee just a mile and a half from the boat ramp at Lee's Ferry. I'm sure you can camp in your vehicle at the parking area, though. If you don't have one of those 'Hide-A-Key' magnetic cases, consider buying one to have an extra set of keys handy at your vehicle for your return.
Sounds like an excellent trip...best of luck and light!
I understand further in there are stagnant pools that are deep enough to require a swim.
Has anyone here done the full Buckskin Gulch hike in the Spring?
I'd be concerned about hypothermia issues with the cold water and lack of sunlight in the slot.
A full dry suit would be a PITA to carry. Maybe some long underwear to change into until you warm up?
Or, is this just not an issue.
I've crossed what's commonly called 'The Cesspool' when it was shoulder deep and when it was waist deep. Others have had to swim as you noted. The water can be chilly, but certainly not like the pools in 'The Black Hole' of White Canyon.
The chalkboard at the Paria Ranger Station always has the relatively current depth posted.
I've done a lot of research planning this trip (it's been on top of my list for years) and April/May time frame seems to be ideal. Lowest risk of flooding and the heat isn't that bad yet. I'm aware of the deeper areas and the chilly water temp and it doesn't scare me but thanks for your concern Bill.
Camp where you want on House Rock Road, any pullout.
If you have any specific questions feel free to email me, as I'm not sure when I'll next wander into this forum.
While I'm sure you've done your research... a few tips just in case..
While you try to avoid it, you will likely end up needing to drink Paria river water, which is super nasty (silty), it'll kill your filter immediately, taste really bad, and iodine won't work very well... bring some alum tablets, and something let the water settle in - the alum will take out the silt, then you can filter the water as normal. Just letting the water sit for an hour helps too, but it's still going to be gray.
Use neoprene socks or something like that - keeps the sand out and your feet warm. We used quickdraining trail running shoes, definitely a good choice (or the canyoneering shoes, but those might be overkill for a lot of the hike). Hiking boots would be a bad idea for most of the sections.
Bring a rope for the drop off at the end of buckskin (mostly to lower gear down).
Bring hiking poles to help with quicksand, and for probing the unknown pools in buckskin.
Have an awesome time, it's a great trip!