Spring 2012: Thursday (4/19) thru Friday (4/20) – Wire Pass & Buckskin Gulch

Thursday Vaughan worked for 16 hours straight so he could take part of Friday off.  We drove up to the Grand Staircase – Escalante area just over the border in Utah.  After a very long 8 mile ride down a dirt road we came to Wire Pass which is a 1 ½ mile hike through a slot canyon to Buckskin Gulch, another slot canyon.  Three hours of hiking took us through some of the most beautiful slots we’ve seen.  There were a few places that the rocks had fallen down to block the way and we had to climb over.  One spot was okay to crawl down but crawling back up was a challenge – it was as tall as I am with very little to grab on to.  I had to climb up on my belly and wiggle over – Vaughan said I looked like an inch worm (so flattering).  We finally made it back to town for a nice dinner at yet another Fiesta Mexicana – and of course a margarita.

Inside Wire Pass

deeper inside Wire Pass

and deeper yet in Wire Pass.

This is where Wire Pass meets Buckskin Gulch,

This is Buckskin Gulch.

and this is Buckskin Gulch.

This funnel is in Buckskin Gulch. 

You can't tell from the picture but I had to climb up about 4 feet to get into this tube.