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I'm going into Paria Canyon the end of the month at the Wire Pass entrance. From what I understand there is a significant rock jam along the way. What I want to know if is necessary to carry some climbing rope to get over the jam. Thanks in advance. Tim D

I've been down Wire Pass twice and did not need any climbing gear.

With the last logged trip on site being in March I'd ask the BLM

Wire Pass, unless the spring flow did something awful, does not present a technical challenge. There is one 3-4 foot downclimb. I saw a pregnant woman climb up and over it on the way out on my last trip, so it should not pose a big roadblock. BLM would have the most up-to-date info, since I haven't been down there in years.

Tim,
The rock jam to which you likely refer is in the Buckskin. It is a mile +/- upstream of the Paria/Buckskin confluence.
There is generally a rope or three at this jam and it is an easy downclimb. My most recent visit was 10/09 and there was a rope there. I have been 12+ times over the past 15 years and there has each time been a rope in place.
There is also an alternate 'climb-THROUGH', worming your way down through the jam. No rope required.

Kurt is correct, the major obstacle is in Buckskin Gulch, about a mile from the confluence.
However, I thought the rabbit hole had collapsed/been buried, I don't recall seeing it in...07. Kurt did go more recently, though. Maybe it is back?

Thanks all for the input. I'm traveling as light as I can and one less item will help. Tim D

Looking for some updated information on the rabbit hole being open at the boulder jam before the confluence. Not doing this hike until end of May so maybe need to wait until closer to my hiking date to get up to date information. Want to take my german shepherd, but don't want to have to harness her to a rope to get her over any boulder jams...

The biggest problem with hiking Paria Canyon is slogging through the numerous muck holes---depending upon spring runoff, temp, etc. some of the potholes go septic---meaning the muck has a lot of decaying organic material that releases the rotten egg hydrogen sulfide odor. Be prepared to be one stinky hiker. Dogs love to roll in the muck. Wet dog fur + rotten egg. Yum. Plastic bags to protect your gear and to float through larger potholes

Biggest safety issue is to understand the flash flooding that can occur in slot canyons. Pay close attention to slight rises in the water flow, camp way up high, listen for the sound of a freight train.

There are several videos posted on Youtube showing Paria Canyon. Not sure if you want to see the video or if you prefer to experience the hike for the first time. A couple show Buckskin, the narrow slot, flood debri high up the slot, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eYeorV0 ... re=related

The last time we were there (Sept 2010), the "rabbit hole" was still usable, but hard to see from above unless you knew where to look. We set up a hand line to get down and then saw the easy way - oh well. Of course, with 1.5 years of potential flash flooding between then and now, everything could be completely different.

The most up-to-date info will certainly be to call the BLM office and talk to some of the rangers. They are quite knowledgeable. If time permits, go into the contact station there before you start your hike - they will have info from people who just hiked through in the previous days.

Most importantly, have fun!!!

I was there in May of 2011 and the rabbit hole was clear. This would be a much easier route for a dog then scaling the wall with a rope.

I am going to hike Buckskin again this coming June so if you go in May I might try and get a report from you on water holes, etc. When we went last year it was so dry that we never even put on our water shoes. It was a tough hike though....thirteen miles of walking through sand. My calves were killing me!!

Thank you for the replies. Will let folks know what the conditions are like after my end of May hike. BoscaAZ, thank you for the info on the water holes last year. That is good info. to know as well. Would prefer to leave water shoes at home if possible. Hopefully, will get some posts from more recent hikers as our date nears. Plus I'll contact BLM a week before liftoff to see what scouting reports they have to offer. Love HikeAZ!

we have june 2nd entry for whitehouse to lees ferry. i've been trying to find any active forum where i might find someone who has been down there this spring. so far no luck. even blm couldn't give to anyone who had gone through recently. please, if you get any updates or if you get back before june 1, please post something. thanks, el

Juan Jaime iii and uphill junkie are going in the next couple weeks. Look for their triplogs & photosets.

thanks for the reply. two of our four have backed out now because all they could find was scary and negative reviews from folks that went in there in the winter or monsoon season.
i know it won't be a cakewalk, but first week in june looks a bit more predictable.

i'm new to this forum but have a feeling it too is suffering from 'facebookitis'. sad that many forums are going that way as more and more people like to fidget with their smart phones instead.

el

How do you mean? I would say this is a pretty busy forum, and continues to get busier. Lots of topics every day. I notice, though, that you posted in another hiking forum as well.

alsoelliott wrote:please, if you get any updates or if you get back before june 1, please post something

johnlp was trying to help you,
updates are posted at http://hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=391&UID=0