Buckskin Gulch via Wire Pass

 We hiked part way down Buckskin Gulch from Wire Pass. Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon in North America at 13 miles. There are several entrances, we choose to enter via Wire Press which is 1.7 miles long. Then we hiked about 3.5 - 4 miles down Buckskin Gulch before returning the way we came.
Important not to hike here when there is a chance of a flash flood.







The trail starts down a wide wash.












 Then enters a slot canyon in Wire Pass.

I'm always amazed at how the canyon walls are shaped and carved by the water of the occasional flash floods, and by wind and sand.

In the first slot along Wire Pass there is a large boulder blocking the trail with a drop off on the other side. We were able to get down (and later back up) with some helping hands. We didn't need to use ropes.

 It's fun to see how the time of day changes the color of the walls.

 For a short ways on Wire Pass, the trail opens up before entering another slot.

















Some places are dark as the walls are narrow and very little light gets in.


















 Wire Pass ends at the west end of Buckskin Gulch.

 Along the east wall of the cliff are a series of petroglyphs.













Lots of photos from the 3.5 - 4 mile section of Buckskin Gulch. We ran into a few boulder blocks that were easy to climb over and some places where water covered the canyon floor, but we were able to cross without difficulty. We didn't go down to where there were some large water areas or the big boulder dam.

 

 Some parts of the gulch opened up for lots of light and plant growth (like a mini oasis)

 Amazing to see some of the designs that have been carved by the sand, rocks, debris, water and wind.

 The debris stuck between the walls from a flash flood, were well above our heads.


















We even found some windows carved into the walls.

















Greeted by jack rabbits back on Wire Pass.