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I knew a group from California going to Buckskin Gulch from Wire pass trailhead to whitehouse trailhead, I couldn't go because I hae work. I have the next two weeks off but am not looking forward to the idea of spending lots of money on a guide, besides many seemed booked. Have you ever hiked this trail before (Wire pass trailhead to whitehouse trailhead) or do you have guide/map skills and would like to go? Maybe we can make an event out of this but I don't have any idea how to obtain permits, I tried purchasing them on the BLM website but it won't allow me and tried contactnig BLM Arizona, Paria Chapter but nobody answers. Looking for one to four day trip, preferabbly ending on a weekday so I can hit Antelope Canyon. If anyone has any ideas how I can make this happen, please let me know.

Wish I could guide you, I love that area. I'm wondering why you want a guide though? Just get a map of the area. It's nearly impossible to get lost. Just follow Buckskin Wash to Paria and turn left (upstream) and follow to White House. Unless you're stopping every two feet to take a photo, I'm having a hard time imagining you stretching that trip out for any longer than two days. I have no idea what to tell you about the BLM office though. Sorry.

Shouldn't be that hard, I don't think you could really get lost. Go in wire pass, take a right, head down buckskin, camp near the confluence, turn left at the confluence and take it back to white house.

Okie I think I just paid for an overnight permit going the wrong direction... Entry Trailhead: White House
Exit Trailhead: Wire Pass, I chose this permit because I read that Wire Pass leads to Coyote Buttes North (The Wave?). Is this possible for a solo trip? Also, I read there's a big obstacle in the Gulch, wouldn't I need another person and a rope to get past it, either way I got an extra permit, hint, hint?


Day 1 hike from white house (camp where?? help)
Day 2 get to Coyote Buttes at Wire Pass by 9am. Possible?
Then hotel from Wire Pass, how do I get to my car? haha
Day 3 Tour at Antelope Canyon

So um is this all possible in three days? Does this sound like a four day thing. Please fix what I"ve written above if you have suggestions on how to make this happen. I guess I can spend lots of time on the phone with the people of Paria to organise this but if you have ideas too please help. Hopefully in a month from now when I plan on going atleast 1 more person will join me. Thanks.

What are the dates you got your permit for?

June 21 Saturday and June 22 Sunday

Couldn't get a Coyote Buttes permit online but there should be 10 available for walkins if I get there by 9am on day 2 (June 22), Antelope Canyon on a Monday which I wouldn't mind doing on my own so long as I can get to my car by then. Still wondering how to organise this, Is my plan above possible? Please read my message above.

What's the total mileage on that, then (minus Coyote Buttes)? Sounds like maybe 15-20 miles, just rough guess, but don't know for sure. I'd say its doable, but I've never hiked the Paria Canyon. I prefer to do less than 10 miles a day, but obviously different people prefer different paces.

From San Jose, eh? Ever do any hiking at Henry Coe State Park?

I've done it twice as a solo day hike, of course you have to hump it a little as it is a long one, depends on wading etc. Probably better as an overnight but pack lightly. The rockfall isn't that hard, usually some rope for handline or to haul a pack there, but I would take a short cord just in case. Used to be a "rabbit hole" you could use; I understand it's plugged up.
The Wave takes a little orienting and it might be frying pan hot up on the rocks. Best sunlight is about 10:00 am till about 1:00. Good luck on that walkin permit, I heard a month or so ago had 92 people one day in the que.
Be sure and check the kiosk at the ranger station for weather and latest pool depths, if any, and conditions. Hikers usually give the information and rangers will post it there.

Oh yeah, forgot, don't go if rain forecast in the region, even around Zion area. Got caught in a flash flood in Paria Narrows and bivouaced on East Clark Bench one trip. Made for an exciting trip.

pariatrip1 wrote:Okie I think I just paid for an overnight permit going the wrong direction... Entry Trailhead: White House
Exit Trailhead: Wire Pass, I chose this permit because I read that Wire Pass leads to Coyote Buttes North (The Wave?). Is this possible for a solo trip? Also, I read there's a big obstacle in the Gulch, wouldn't I need another person and a rope to get past it, either way I got an extra permit, hint, hint?


Day 1 hike from white house (camp where?? help)
Day 2 get to Coyote Buttes at Wire Pass by 9am. Possible?
Then hotel from Wire Pass, how do I get to my car? haha
Day 3 Tour at Antelope Canyon

So um is this all possible in three days? Does this sound like a four day thing. Please fix what I"ve written above if you have suggestions on how to make this happen. I guess I can spend lots of time on the phone with the people of Paria to organise this but if you have ideas too please help. Hopefully in a month from now when I plan on going atleast 1 more person will join me. Thanks.

I suggest that you give my friend Easton a call at 928-660-2674. He owns and operates the Paria Canyon Guest Ranch (tell him that Kurt said "Hi') He can shuttle you or your vehicle between White House & Wire Pass, supply you with a place to stay, a shower, food, laundry.. you name it. His place is adjacent to the Paria Ranger Station. He knows the area like the back of his hand and is a wonderful human being to boot.
On Friday & Saturday nights there is a TERRIFIC all-you-can-eat brisket/ribs/BBQ/cake/pie/etc. at Steve and Susan's "Paria Outpost " restaurant, which is adjacent to Easton's place, between Easton's and the Paria Ranger Station. DO NOT miss this meal if you can help it. Again, please say "Hi" to Steve & Susan for Kurt if you go.

Getting to W.P. on day two would be a 'hump' - it's about 13 miles from the confluence camp to W.P. and your last (drinking)water would be near the confluence. There is little high-ground area for camping above the confluence, although there are a few small spots. If the weather forecast is clear, and I mean 0% chance of participation, you could camp in Buckskin Gulch without searching out high ground for your camp. At your own risk, of course. Getting up through the log/rock jam about 3/4 mile above the confluence if the rangers have taken the rope can prove tricky, but it is do-able.
Your itinerary is close, but do-able.
If you want to speak with a BLM'er re. Paria/Buckskin, try calling the Kanab (Ut.) office of the BLM; they will generally answer.

As a potential substitute for Antelope, there is a cool slot canyon, "Water Holes", about 5 mi. south of Page on 89.. check it out - it only takes about 1.5 hrs. to see the upper & lower sections.
Antelope Canyon is, IMO, over-run and over-priced.

If you only have 1 night in the canyon who cares which TH you enter or exit. I would just go in Wirepass, camp at the confluence and hike out to whitehouse the next day. You'll be camping at the same spot most likely. I guess your not following the rules 100% but I'm not a fan of that anyways. No need for a guide though. If you can manage to get lost in a slot canyon with 100 foot walls in places my hats off to you.

Having done this hike, a couple of notes:
You cannot, as they say, go the wrong direction in Buckskin Gulch. Its' bound by 100' walls, and - for some reason - the route is marked by cairns.
I don't explain- I just report.
You CAN however easily lose track of distance, especially since your GPS is going to get zero signal in the gulch. From Wire Pass it is a looong march to the first decent camping spots - something like 14 miles (we lost track).
The route out to White House is wide open canyons and quite sunny.

You won't need a guide, but plan to hire a shuttle driver ($40-60).

And seriously, rain scuttles the hike. Buckskin Gulch is nature's storm sewer...

Tonyp