Paria Canyon

azhiker96 · Post by **azhiker96** » Jun 16 2002 7:11 pm

Has anyone hiked this bad boy? I'm planning on hitting this, probably on Labor day weekend. I am planning on spending 3 days in the canyon so there will be time to take some pictures and do a little exploring. There are reservations available on the BLM site. It's not expensive but the reservations are no-refundable. If it looks like rain we'll have to scrub it and maybe just day hike from one or the other trailheads. I'm not going into the narrows if there's clouds in the forecast. I remember a bunch of tourists getting washed away a couple of years ago. This slot canyon is VERY prone to flash flooding. Any interest?

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jun 17 2002 11:11 am

I've done this hike 3 times and it is probably my favorite all time hike.
The only reason you can get reservations to hike it for labor day is because most people familiar with the canyon won't hike it after June. June through December is big time flash flood season, anytime before June is very safe. I've always hiked it Memorial day weekend. Typically reservations are not easy to get.

You can enter from the white house, wire pass, or Buckskin Gulch in Utah, or Lee's Ferry in Arizona. I've done it from the white house and wire pass and would strongly recommend the wire pass if you don't mind some real nasty mud.

Regarding flash floods, it doesn't matter much what the weather is where you are. The flash flood waters will come from miles away up stream. I've heard that you will hear a roar when one comes (which made me panic the first few times I heard a plane over head). I've also heard the water flow will raise slightly before the 50 foot wall will come crashing. You might have some warning, but don't count on it. I day hiked it on an overcast rain threatening day once and had no problem. We kept our eyes open for escape routes just in case. When you check the weather, check the weather for the days you are hiking, and a few days before you are hiking, up stream and around all the tributary streams. I knew it wasn't raining anywhere up stream so I was comfortable hiking on an overcast day.

If you have any questions about it, just ask.

azhiker96 · Post by **azhiker96** » Jun 17 2002 9:01 pm

Thanks Daryl. The reservations are cheap and I was planning on checking the weather upstream and also see what's coming in from the coast. If something's blowing in I'll just bag it, donate the $15 to the cause, and catch a microbrew somewhere. I could day hike it and keep aware too, just depends on what the weather maps look like. I got stranded by high water on a trip to Reavis a couple of years ago. Just picked out some high ground and enjoyed some instant pudding while I waited for the water to subside. Have you used any of the shuttles that are available or do you know what they charge?

:

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jun 18 2002 7:44 am

All my hikes there have been marathon day hikes. You don't need a permit if you aren't spending the night in the canyon (still need to pay though).

If you go with plan B (sit down with a beer), through my travels in Paige, "The Dam Bar & Grill" is the best place for food and drink.