Paria & Buckskin Canyons, Utah & Arizona

Buckskin Gulch, Utah Paria Canyon and its tributary, Buckskin Gulch, are two popular and amazing routes the Paria Canyon - Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. The 38-mile Paria Canyon route is normally done as a 3-5 day backpacking trip. It begins at the Whitehouse Trailhead off US Highway 89 between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ, and ends at Lee's Ferry, AZ. Buckskin Gulch has been called the longest slot canyon in the world -- it is 15+ miles of pure slot! Buckskin intersects Paria about 7 miles down from the Whitehouse TH, and provides an alternate, longer start to the Paria trip, or can be done on its own (around 22 miles). Hiking and Exploring the Paria River, and Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau, both by Michael Kelsey, describe these routes in detail. Permits are required for these canyons, and the regulations change from time to time, so check the BLM site.

A general map of the are is located here.

I do not know of a speed record for Buckskin Gulch. Stephanie Ehret, Buzz Burrell and I ran from Wire Pass to Whitehouse TH in 4h51m on May 28, 2002, but the route has probably been done much faster.

I also don't know of any fast trips on the whole Buckskin-Paria route, which is around 45 miles. I have never heard of this being done in a day, though it probably has been.

Stephanie Ehret and I did the Paria from Whitehouse TH to Lee's ferry in 9h17m on March 27, 2007. This was a steady effort, but not hammering -- we were just trying to get it done in a day. We left our car at Lee's Ferry and got a shuttle from Betty Price up to Whitehouse early in the morning. The canyon was flowing, and we were constantly having to wade the creek up to our ankles or shins, which made for slow going. Weather was perfect, not at all hot this early in the season and there were even a few snow flakes late in the day. There are many natural springs along this route, and I think except for the last 12 miles or so I needed to carry only one small water bottle. The last miles leave the bottom of the canyon and follow a good trail, very nice running. This is an excellent route for a 1-day wilderness run!