A significant portion of the state of Utah in the United States sits on the Colorado Plateau. The plateau is a geologic feature that has been uplifted as high as 10,000 feet above sea level and consists of sedimentary rock layers that are 270 million years old. The major rivers in the region, such as the Colorado, Green, San Juan, and Virgin rivers, have carved the incredibly beautiful and dangerous canyons that millions of visitors from across the globe travel to visit each year.
We are lucky enough to live in the backyard of this great attraction. One of the features that draws thousands of visitors is the hike through Wire Pass into Buckskin Gulch. The gulch is 14 miles long, 5–10 feet wide, and in places is up to 400 feet deep. Water from the Paria River watershed has gouged out the gulch over the last 5 to 6 million years.
The best time to venture into Utah’s slot canyons is when they are dry and when there is no threat of thunderstorms. In wet years, the slots have pooled water in many places, even in winter. Flash floods created by unexpected spring and summer thunderstorms have killed countless unsuspecting canyon adventurers. Utah is in the throes of a 10-year drought, and none of the years have been as dry as this one, with mountain snowpacks running as low as 20 to 30% of normal. Flash floods aren’t a winter threat, so we trusted that a January adventure would be ideal.
The hike has been on our bucket list for years, and we were finally able to make it happen a few weeks ago. We are not actual adventurers, but we like to go places and take pictures that make us look like we are. This hike fits the bill!
The 4-mile in-and-out hike really is very easy, as the trail follows a dry, level creek bed. There are a few obstacles to negotiate, but nothing very difficult. Once you’re in the gulch, there are only two ways out: either hike all the way to where the gulch meets the Paria River 14 miles away or turn around and retrace your steps. We don’t have the energy or experience to do the 14-mile version, so we hiked in a few hundred yards and then turned around when we came to a 30-foot pool that spanned the full 5-foot width of the gulch.
The one highlight we didn’t even dare to wish for but got to experience: we had the gulch completely to ourselves! We didn’t see another person until we turned around for the hike out. It was an incredible feeling walking through the corridors of nature’s wonder, carved out of 200-million-year-old rock, completely alone…together!
On top of that, I was able to grab the picture I had hoped I would find. What I love about Utah slot canyons, gorges, and gulches is the beautifully carved walls. The light in these places is off the charts, with cool light at the bottom of the gulch and invitingly warm reflected light that often bounces off the rugged walls above.
All in all, it was a fantastic outing. The experience checked all the boxes of what one would hope for on a Utah desert adventure!
