Paria Canyon
To Buckskin Gulch Confluence
DISTANCE
33 km
out and back
TIME
8h30
ELEVATION
276m
Max 1243
Min 1519
ESSENTIALS
SEASON
(of the report)
YOU'LL NEED
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Good shoes
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Hiking poles
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4L of water/person
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Hat
It is important to note that this hike report is about the trail that goes out and back from White House Trailhead. This trail was chosen because it can be made on a day hike (even if strenuous) and goes from the TH to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch.
BEFORE GOING:
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As this is a day hike it doesn't require a backcountry permit, but I'll advise to go visit the Paria contact station and get some informations before to start (link here). I can't urge enough the fact that once again this is a remote area and we are talking about narrow canyons that are dangerous in case of a flash flood; so you need to be informed about the weather.
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Keep in mind this is a strenuous and long hike, you'll have to be attentive to the time and will not have so much time to take breaks and relax (again, if you're doing this in one day).
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Bring: plenty of water (4L/person) and some warm clothes, because it can feel really cold when the sun goes down. Better be safe than sorry!
WHEN TO GO?
We did this hike in August, which is during the flash flood season, we were really serious with the planning and weather monitoring. I would rather advise to do this hike between April-June or September-November when there's less risk of a flash flood (still doesn't mean zero risk). Keep in mind that even if you're not seeing a single cloud above your head, flash floods can still occur as a thunderstorm miles away can trigger them.
N.B. : We had a GPS watch but as we were down in a canyon it didn't manage the change of altitude so well by sometimes putting us on the top of the canyon. I don't have precisely the time we did for each portion of the trail so I'll try to approximate, hence the hike description will not be as precise as others.
START - WHITE HOUSE TRAILHEAD
The trailhead is situated 45 minutes away from Kanab on US-89 after the Paria Contact Center; if I remember well this is a dirt road but which does not necessitate a 4WD. Once you're there it's pretty obvious: you just have to follow - enter - Paria canyon. Of course in the right direction, so it must get narrower the more you progress in the canyon.
The first part of the hike takes place between wide canyon walls with - almost - no elevation gain, thus I'll suggest to go pretty fast so that you'll have more time to enjoy the beautiful canyon. You'll walk around 1 hour before it starts to get a little bit more narrower, and thus more interesting.
INTO THE CANYON
It is pretty nice to wander between canyon walls, the landscape starts to be more scenic and surprising at every corner. Now, as the walls get narrower it also means there is more shadow, consequently mud makes its apparition. Even though at first it's pretty funny, it will slow you down and get annoying at some point (especially when it feels like shifting sands). Moreover, this is a quite long stretch as there is 2 more hours before to reach the most beautiful part of Paria Canyon. Still, this doesn't mean you arrived as there will be 1 last hour of spectacular canyon walls before to join the confluence with Buckskin Gulch (I remember being very tired at this point as it was 100% mud for every step we took, see pictures).
BUCKSKIN GULCH CONFLUENCE
Once you reach the confluence (it's pretty obvious again, as you'll see an even narrower canyon on your right) you can walk a little bit up Buckskin Gulch. We did it for half and hour and it's worth it, the canyon walls are really impressive there and from a totally different colour!
As it's a long day we didn't stay too long at the confluence, just ate our sandwiches and headed back the same way we arrived. The way back was quite long as you're taking the same exact path but still beautiful and interesting with a different - late afternoon - light.
One last thing: pack everything out, do not let anything in the canyon and of course, enjoy!
