Paria Canyon: Wire Pass to Lees Ferry

The route begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead and ends at the Lonely Dell parking lot near Lees Ferry. From the Wire Pass trailhead, hike 0.6 miles to the Wave Trail junction. Keep left to remain on the Wire Pass Trail. At 1.7 miles, reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch Trail. Turn right and enter the narrow slot canyon of Buckskin Gulch. Follow Buckskin Gulch downstream and reach the junction with the Middle Route at 8.1 miles. Turn right to continue down the Buckskin Gulch trail. Crux: A boulder jam near the end of Buckskin Gulch, just before the Paria River confluence, requires a rope-assisted downclimb using carved Moki Steps — exposed enough to give some hikers pause, though the moves themselves are manageable. Conditions in Buckskin can multiply the challenge dramatically; deep muddy pools may require wading or swimming with your pack held overhead. Check weather forecasts carefully before entering — Buckskin offers no escape routes for more than 12 miles and is one of the most dangerous flash flood corridors in the Southwest. At the confluence with the Paria River at 13.7 miles, turn right to head downstream. The route continues down Paria Canyon, requiring hundreds of shallow river crossings. Campsites are scattered along the elevated canyon benches downstream. Key reliable water sources include Big Spring, located roughly 5 miles downstream of the confluence, Shower Spring, and Last Reliable Spring. As the canyon widens near the Arizona-Utah border, follow established social paths along the riverbanks to bypass muddy river bends. The canyon eventually opens into a broad valley before reaching the historic Lonely Dell Ranch and ending at the Lonely Dell parking lot in Lees Ferry. Ensure a shuttle vehicle is arranged at Lees Ferry prior to starting.