Hiking Utah slot canyons – Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon

[Larry Sullivan]

This is a two day 21 mile hike in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. It starts in Utah, dips into Arizona and a time zone change, then finishes back in Utah. Once you drop in to this deep slot canyon, there's only one place to climb out in over 15 miles! More photos and a trip report on my site PlanetRambler.com

This pair were 2 of only 15 people I saw both days, and the only ones going my direction. High in the air, a jammed log shows the height of past water levels.

There are moments when these subterranean skylit chambers feel mystic and sacred.

Sun, stone and sand in Buckskin Gulch.

Without people for scale, it's hard to relate the immensity of these walls.

A few more hikers returning from an overnight trip to the confluence, which is my destination also.

As clouds move across the sky, light and shadows flicker through Buckskin Gulch.

Bizarre and amusing hydraulically-formed Hobbit houses

Alien habitats on the Paria River.

The Paria River joins the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry, the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

Check out more photos of hiking and exploring in the Western USA on my site 150mph.PlanetRambler.com

[Steven McAllister]

Another destination I have to hit.

[Andy Duncan]

Beautiful photos (as usual). Thanks for posting!

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

I heard that Paria was hit with a couple of big storms over the last few years. From your pictures, it looks pretty passble now. Did you need and ropes for the trip? Where there any deep pools on the way? BEst regards – Jon

BTW, anyone going out in that area should consider going to the Wave. Awesome place.

[Author]

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