Glad you liked it. Part of our inspiration in creating these video tours is to share our experience with people that are unable to get there for one reason or another.
Very nice job covering these slot canyons. I am no longer able to hike them myself so it was great to be able to see them ! I love slot canyons! I used to play the harmonica in them. The sound was awesome. Thanks again.
Description to find Buckskin Gulch is perfect. 30 years ago I´ve only had some pictures in a German book. And there has been written: "It´s a hidden valley beside Hous Rock Valley Road." After three days I found it.
We were going to be here in 3 weeks - before the virus cancelled all our travel plans :( We were at wire pass and buckskin 14 years ago. It was our first slot canyon. We've been back out to Utah, northern Arizona and SE Nevada probably 10 times since. Really miss it. So beautiful!
Thanks for commenting. As mentioned in our article, Buckskin was our first true slot canyon we went into about 1999. We haven't been back until when we took these pictures in Nov 2019. Don't know why we haven't been back earlier because we only live 100 miles away.
Thanks! And thanks for commenting. Yes, 2 from flash floods and the others from freezing temps. I think it's actually 5. We live nearby, so we read the news.
Very nice of you to post the warnings of the flash flooding!I guess Wire Pass is not the place to be if you are claustophobic. Mother nature never fails to amaze me.Very nice video.
I've been through it twice. First time, 40 years ago, was relatively difficult: many log jams backing up water over deep mud. In and out of the water numerous times - packs overhead, near hypothermia. Then, a couple of years ago a late afternoon "let's check it out". Didn't think we'd get very far before the water but it was basically a simple walk through. No log jams for several miles (started late so turn around at the big chock stone). Lesson: prior storms, and what they do to the canyon, can make a huge difference in the experience. As the video says, DO NOT go in if any chance of rain at the canyon OR UPSTREAM leading to the canyon. Easy place to die if you ignore this.
Yes, not far from Wire Pass confluence, the slot has been filled with yucky mud and quicksand since the deluge from last summer's t-storms. Now it is raining considerably here this winter. So who know when that will all dry out.
This is a fantastic video!! I went last year with a group and am taking friends and family back in April. Wanting to know exactly what I'm getting us all into, I found your video. I'm so glad to know there's a way to get around the 10' drop. During my first trip there was a ladder that had been placed, but you never know if it will still be there. Thanks for all the info!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting. I've heard the ladder is sometimes there - we've never seen it - but then again we've only been there 3 times over the past 20 years.
My pleasure! Beware that any slot canyon in southern Utah wouldn't be great to visit now because of all the rain, unless you like walking thru lots of mud. We've had 3 weeks of steady rain.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Hello again. I'm bringing group of students for Yoga / Hiking retreat in few weeks to Big Water. We have planed our trip and planning to visit some of the amazing places. I was wondering if it's somehow possible to chat with you... I'm sure you have lots of good ideas and would give me very helpful advices and I would soooo much appreciated it ! I would gladly offer exchange for your time.
Another extraordinary video, truly a pleasure to watch. Am kicking myself in the butt for not having explored more while living in Flagstaff as a student at NAU for two semesters, a long time ago, even if I did see a lot of the area. Hiking down into Havasu Canyon was one of the most memorable trips while in Flagstaff. Have you been down there ? Also, I don’t know if you ever take requests for future videos, but after watching this one on Buckskin, and the one about the Wave, I was following rabbit holes on Google Maps.... wondering if a video about Cottonwood Canyon Road, from just east of Old Paria, Utah, up to Cannonville could be interesting ? In any case, keep up the great work, happy to have subscribed to your channel.
Thanks again Owen. Yes, Cottonwood Rd is on the list, as is Paria townsite area (beautiful colors), the upper part of Buckskin Gulch, and Vermillion Cliffs overall. Ironically on my "next" list is a custom/private flight over the Grand Canyon to test the new flight restriction over Havasupai. Yes, I've visited that wonderful canyon about 25 years ago. After that, it's a series of tours along Arizona's portion of Route 66 from border to border.
Great video. The best I've seen while researching Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass. I'm looking at going next month if the pandemic crisis settles down a bit. It will be good to get away.. Thanks for the great information!
@@BackRoadsWest1 Yes, a gimble is necessary. You editing is very good as well. Your video color enhancement seems exactly the same as your photo images. Very interesting. Gord
7:20 that log has actually been there for at least 10 years. My family used to do this hike a few times a year. One MAJOR change i see is that a lot of what used to be in that alcove is now washed away. You used to be able to climb to the top of a rather large platform.
Excellent, thanks for the update. Before we did this hike in 2019, the last time we hike Buckskin was 1998, and I do remember more "terrain" near the alcove.
Very nice video! I particularly like the frequent captioning, to explain what is being shown. Good music selection. Extremely beautiful canyons. What was the total miles hiked? What month of the year and time of day did you hike this? Was that the optimal time to see the slots? Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I subscribed.
Thanks for commenting. Read our blog on this at www.backroadswest.com/blog/buckskin-gulch/ to learn distances and when to hike. We live close by, so we picked a good weather day. It was in November.
Yes, I've seen it too. But like so many places I see on the map near there, we've yet to explore it. I think "The Dive" is just a series of south-facing cliffs.
Great video one of the best informative ones I've seen, thank you, wife and i will be there second week of October, planning 4 hrs in 4 hrs back, how long was this hike you did?
Awesome and well-made video! Hoping you can answer some lingering questions I have as I'm traveling with older people. To see the large alcove, walking out of wirepass, and Fluted walls how long is the hike? Also, does the parking lot ever get full? Debating if we'll do this after the other famous hikes or early on. Does this hike get crowded with parking as well as sold out on day hiking?
Thank you! I recently guided a tour with an 80-year old couple and they did almost better than me! It all really depends on everyone's abilities. Alcove is 1.7 miles. But you will have obstacles, like getting thru a narrow stretch of Wire Pass and getting up a 3-4 foot ledge. Parking area is currently being rebuilt. I wouldn't go on the weekend if you want to avoid possible crowds.
@@kyashi8133 There is no station, it's self-serve unless you mean the BLM office in Kanab. Payment is explained in the video - you pay your fee using an envelope and you put the stub on your car's dashboard. Call the BLM office in Kanab if you'd like current info.
Beautiful video. Thanks. I always wanted to see some of these slot canyons but never will. Your video is great: see montanny on your fanny , as they sayl
howdy! new subscriber here! is this the first parking lot you come to? or is this the same one that people go to for the wave? also, if you were to turn around at the large alcove and head back, do you know approx how far that would be? TIA for the info! great video!!!
Thanks for commenting and welcome! No, Wire Pass is the second parking area or trailhead. Buckskin Gulch is the first and is on the left and you won't see many cars parked there. However, this is the trailhead to upper Buckskin Gulch, not the main section showcased in our video. Wire Pass is on the right, will have many cars parked there, and is the same trailhead for The Wave.
@@BackRoadsWest1 I was thinking that it might be....that said, do you know the approx distance from the parking lot and turning around at the large alcove? we're kinda limited on how far we can walk, and that first part of the slot looked pretty good and worth a see! thx! oh also, have you been to buckskin from the first parking on the left? if so, is it very far to get to the slot from that parking lot? thanks again!!! also watched the finland video....we will be checking out your other vids as well. love how you put them together! very informative!!
It's 1.7 miles one-way. Furthermore, there are some obstacles (they're in the video) to overcome during the first slot canyon 1 mile from the parking area. Haven't checked out the first parking area yet, but we plan to and hear there's lots of stuff similar to The Wave to see there. Thanks for the kudos! Yes, our videos are designed more like a training video, since that's what I do for a real job, then a typical "look where I went" video found on RUclips.
How does this compare to Little Wildhorse Canyon? Also, is it worth doing if we are in Zion? I want to see the Narrows but have no desire to twist an ankle slipping on a rock I can't see under water while fighting a current.
They are all 3 differently wonderful. Narrows is very unique, but you have to deal with the crowds. Buckskin is the biggest. Both Narrows & Buckskin are full of big boulders you can twist an ankle on. There are actually 2 slots at Wildhorse that you can see in a loop hike.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Thanks BRWest. I have hiked LWildHorse- just recently. We find it easy. Good to know about the boulders in Buckskin- at least we will be able to see them. Hopefully they put a ladder back up by March near the entrance. We will only plan to hike in about 3+ miles, then back out. For a nice, enjoyable casual hike, ~6 miles is typic ally long enough- especially in the heat! We are also not 20 anymore! We did hike Half Dome at Yosemite recently though. It is ~16 miles R/T and very steep- I highly recommend it! Do you have any suggestions as to which location we should enter? I know it's very long and you can jump in at different spots. I read something about a long 8 miles dirt road to Wire Pass Trail.
If you mean the alcove area about a mile....I’ve hiked it a few times previous and about 2 weeks ago I did it again and always look in the slot and low and behold a ladder was placed...it was a lot better then going up and around
@@BackRoadsWest1 Sorry. Looks like I offended you. The video is great, but some of the comments cover over the best photos. Location is really all a person needs to know.
@@joanmarshall6653 no, you didn't offend me. Feedback is good. Realize though that these are informational videos, like a training video, on how to go visit a place. Without captions, then I'm limited to a lot of narration, which is more time-consuming, and people then won't like all the talking and prefer music. Of all the videos we have, you're probably the first person that didn't like the captions.
for someone who is too old and too handicapped I APPRECIATE YOU letting me hike along
Glad you liked it. Part of our inspiration in creating these video tours is to share our experience with people that are unable to get there for one reason or another.
Thank you for such an amazing video. We hiked part of the buckskin gulch in 2021 and it was an amazing experience. So want to go back and explore more
Very nice job covering these slot canyons. I am no longer able to hike them myself so it was great to be able to see them ! I love slot canyons! I used to play the harmonica in them. The sound was awesome.
Thanks again.
You're welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Description to find Buckskin Gulch is perfect. 30 years ago I´ve only had some pictures in a German book. And there has been written: "It´s a hidden valley beside Hous Rock Valley Road." After three days I found it.
We were going to be here in 3 weeks - before the virus cancelled all our travel plans :(
We were at wire pass and buckskin 14 years ago. It was our first slot canyon. We've been back out to Utah, northern Arizona and SE Nevada probably 10 times since. Really miss it. So beautiful!
Thanks for commenting. As mentioned in our article, Buckskin was our first true slot canyon we went into about 1999. We haven't been back until when we took these pictures in Nov 2019. Don't know why we haven't been back earlier because we only live 100 miles away.
Excellent video. I like the "paper" map graphics. Very clear direction!
Thank you! Yes, I love the classic AAA maps we all grew up with. They're retro and still have detailed relevant data. Thanks for commenting.
Wow...A most excellent video of the "Gulch" .. and as of May 2023, there have been 4 deaths in the gulch this year so far.
Thanks! And thanks for commenting. Yes, 2 from flash floods and the others from freezing temps. I think it's actually 5. We live nearby, so we read the news.
best video
Thank you!
Very nice of you to post the warnings of the flash flooding!I guess Wire Pass is not the place to be if you are claustophobic. Mother nature never fails to amaze me.Very nice video.
Excellent video....great guide to a must do hike now on our list to be done soon(2020-2021)!
I am planning a trip to the area and this video just sealed where I am going to visit!
Thanks a bunch for the clip and your input very helpful indeed 👍
I’ve been here several times. It’s amazing
I can't get enough of this place
Thank you so much for this excellent video. Thank you for taking the time and effort that you put into it.
This is by far the best introduction video. Great work!
Thanks for your comments! Glad you liked it.
Thank you so much for such a great video, lots of detailed info.
I've been through it twice. First time, 40 years ago, was relatively difficult: many log jams backing up water over deep mud. In and out of the water numerous times - packs overhead, near hypothermia. Then, a couple of years ago a late afternoon "let's check it out". Didn't think we'd get very far before the water but it was basically a simple walk through. No log jams for several miles (started late so turn around at the big chock stone). Lesson: prior storms, and what they do to the canyon, can make a huge difference in the experience. As the video says, DO NOT go in if any chance of rain at the canyon OR UPSTREAM leading to the canyon. Easy place to die if you ignore this.
Very well documented! Thanks very much for the tour!
You're welcome and thanks for commenting!
Ty for allowing us to see the canyons thru the lenses of your cam. It's amazing. Too bad I have a fear for narrow paths.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you! Will be there mid-May! Thanks for making it clear. Wirepass, to south Gulch (right turn) and in for a while and turn back the same route.
My pleasure. Thanks for commenting!
Cool vid. I'm jealous it was dry for you. When I hit five-foot deep water, I decided it was time to turn around!
Yes, not far from Wire Pass confluence, the slot has been filled with yucky mud and quicksand since the deluge from last summer's t-storms. Now it is raining considerably here this winter. So who know when that will all dry out.
This is a fantastic video!! I went last year with a group and am taking friends and family back in April. Wanting to know exactly what I'm getting us all into, I found your video. I'm so glad to know there's a way to get around the 10' drop. During my first trip there was a ladder that had been placed, but you never know if it will still be there. Thanks for all the info!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting. I've heard the ladder is sometimes there - we've never seen it - but then again we've only been there 3 times over the past 20 years.
Outstanding video!!! Thank you.
We hiked the Wave last January 2020 and the House Rock road is gnarly. Hope to do this trail when I am back in the area. Thanks for the preview.
You do not want to drive House Rock Valley Road during any wet or snowy weather - winter or summer. Even 4WDs will get stuck in the mud.
Very helpful for our planning. Thanks
My pleasure! Beware that any slot canyon in southern Utah wouldn't be great to visit now because of all the rain, unless you like walking thru lots of mud. We've had 3 weeks of steady rain.
Excellent…going there next week!
Gorgeous place!
thanks for sharing . i love your videos indeed.
You're welcome. Glad you're enjoying them. Thanks for commenting!
Thank You very much!! so great to watch it and have good idea.
You're welcome and thanks for commenting.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Hello again. I'm bringing group of students for Yoga / Hiking retreat in few weeks to Big Water. We have planed our trip and planning to visit some of the amazing places. I was wondering if it's somehow possible to chat with you... I'm sure you have lots of good ideas and would give me very helpful advices and I would soooo much appreciated it ! I would gladly offer exchange for your time.
Cool video. My next hike!
Another extraordinary video, truly a pleasure to watch. Am kicking myself in the butt for not having explored more while living in Flagstaff as a student at NAU for two semesters, a long time ago, even if I did see a lot of the area. Hiking down into Havasu Canyon was one of the most memorable trips while in Flagstaff. Have you been down there ? Also, I don’t know if you ever take requests for future videos, but after watching this one on Buckskin, and the one about the Wave, I was following rabbit holes on Google Maps.... wondering if a video about Cottonwood Canyon Road, from just east of Old Paria, Utah, up to Cannonville could be interesting ? In any case, keep up the great work, happy to have subscribed to your channel.
Thanks again Owen. Yes, Cottonwood Rd is on the list, as is Paria townsite area (beautiful colors), the upper part of Buckskin Gulch, and Vermillion Cliffs overall. Ironically on my "next" list is a custom/private flight over the Grand Canyon to test the new flight restriction over Havasupai. Yes, I've visited that wonderful canyon about 25 years ago. After that, it's a series of tours along Arizona's portion of Route 66 from border to border.
Awesome video! Thank you so much for the share.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!
The video is wonderful and enjoyable ❤️
Thank you!
Great video
My pleasure! Thanks for commenting.
Great video. The best I've seen while researching Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass. I'm looking at going next month if the pandemic crisis settles down a bit. It will be good to get away.. Thanks for the great information!
Glad it was helpful!
Great job guys looking to do this next week. Thanks
Thanks for commenting. Enjoy the hike! Hopefully the road is clear of mud.
I always like your stuff. Nice to see better video quality and more video content. I find it more engaging.
Gord
Good to hear, thank you. We've recently purchased a GoPro with gimbal and learning how to use it and edit the footage better.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Yes, a gimble is necessary. You editing is very good as well. Your video color enhancement seems exactly the same as your photo images. Very interesting.
Gord
REALLY enjoyable ! Thanks so much.
Wow, just wow. Thanks.
Thank you for the detailed review. Very helpful
You're welcome. Hope you have a great time there.
This is very helpful. Thank you.
You're welcome and thanks for commenting
7:20 that log has actually been there for at least 10 years. My family used to do this hike a few times a year.
One MAJOR change i see is that a lot of what used to be in that alcove is now washed away. You used to be able to climb to the top of a rather large platform.
Excellent, thanks for the update. Before we did this hike in 2019, the last time we hike Buckskin was 1998, and I do remember more "terrain" near the alcove.
..once the restriction for that Covid thing are lifted I hope to fly to Utah/Arizona and walk around that area.....
Very nice video! I particularly like the frequent captioning, to explain what is being shown. Good music selection. Extremely beautiful canyons. What was the total miles hiked? What month of the year and time of day did you hike this? Was that the optimal time to see the slots? Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I subscribed.
Thanks for commenting. Read our blog on this at www.backroadswest.com/blog/buckskin-gulch/ to learn distances and when to hike. We live close by, so we picked a good weather day. It was in November.
Vary informative. thank for sharing!
My pleasure!
I study these flash floods on the computer for quite a while they can get rough yes they can.
Thanks for this nice video. I see on the map there is a place called, "The Dive". Do you know about it? Did you hike it, too?
Yes, I've seen it too. But like so many places I see on the map near there, we've yet to explore it. I think "The Dive" is just a series of south-facing cliffs.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Thanks, lots of places like that.
Awesome video! Hope to explore more of Utah, would you recommend any good campsites in the area?
We don't camp. But search for Stateline Campground; it's a mile south of the trailhead.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Thank You!
Stateline has awnings and fire pits,
But if you don't need those BLM land is everywhere
This looks like the entrance to Petra.
Some people believe there is a large undiscovered Anasazi castle at the end of a slot canyon in Utah. But not this one.
Great video one of the best informative ones I've seen, thank you, wife and i will be there second week of October, planning 4 hrs in 4 hrs back, how long was this hike you did?
Thank you. We spent about 5 hours.
Amazing!! What camera you use for filming? GoPro?
Correct! GoPro Hero5, but on their Karma gimbal - the reason for the smoothness. Still pics were taken with 2 Canon Rebels.
Awesome and well-made video! Hoping you can answer some lingering questions I have as I'm traveling with older people. To see the large alcove, walking out of wirepass, and Fluted walls how long is the hike?
Also, does the parking lot ever get full? Debating if we'll do this after the other famous hikes or early on. Does this hike get crowded with parking as well as sold out on day hiking?
Thank you! I recently guided a tour with an 80-year old couple and they did almost better than me! It all really depends on everyone's abilities. Alcove is 1.7 miles. But you will have obstacles, like getting thru a narrow stretch of Wire Pass and getting up a 3-4 foot ledge. Parking area is currently being rebuilt. I wouldn't go on the weekend if you want to avoid possible crowds.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Wow, Thank you for the info. By any chance do you know how early does the station open to get permits for day hikes?
@@kyashi8133 There is no station, it's self-serve unless you mean the BLM office in Kanab. Payment is explained in the video - you pay your fee using an envelope and you put the stub on your car's dashboard. Call the BLM office in Kanab if you'd like current info.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Got it, thanks for clarifying i rewatched again and saw the info. Keep up the videos, the narration and view was cool
Beautiful video. Thanks. I always wanted to see some of these slot canyons but never will. Your video is great: see montanny on your fanny , as they sayl
Thanks and thanks for commenting.
howdy! new subscriber here! is this the first parking lot you come to? or is this the same one that people go to for the wave? also, if you were to turn around at the large alcove and head back, do you know approx how far that would be? TIA for the info! great video!!!
Thanks for commenting and welcome! No, Wire Pass is the second parking area or trailhead. Buckskin Gulch is the first and is on the left and you won't see many cars parked there. However, this is the trailhead to upper Buckskin Gulch, not the main section showcased in our video. Wire Pass is on the right, will have many cars parked there, and is the same trailhead for The Wave.
@@BackRoadsWest1 I was thinking that it might be....that said, do you know the approx distance from the parking lot and turning around at the large alcove? we're kinda limited on how far we can walk, and that first part of the slot looked pretty good and worth a see! thx! oh also, have you been to buckskin from the first parking on the left? if so, is it very far to get to the slot from that parking lot? thanks again!!! also watched the finland video....we will be checking out your other vids as well. love how you put them together! very informative!!
It's 1.7 miles one-way. Furthermore, there are some obstacles (they're in the video) to overcome during the first slot canyon 1 mile from the parking area. Haven't checked out the first parking area yet, but we plan to and hear there's lots of stuff similar to The Wave to see there. Thanks for the kudos! Yes, our videos are designed more like a training video, since that's what I do for a real job, then a typical "look where I went" video found on RUclips.
@@BackRoadsWest1 thank you!!!
We got caught in a flash flood in June 2021. It was a nightmare. We were so scared and didn't know how to get back 😭
Wow, yup, I've heard stories. Then there's the white knuckle drive out on House Rock Valley Rd.
How does this compare to Little Wildhorse Canyon? Also, is it worth doing if we are in Zion? I want to see the Narrows but have no desire to twist an ankle slipping on a rock I can't see under water while fighting a current.
They are all 3 differently wonderful. Narrows is very unique, but you have to deal with the crowds. Buckskin is the biggest. Both Narrows & Buckskin are full of big boulders you can twist an ankle on. There are actually 2 slots at Wildhorse that you can see in a loop hike.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Thanks BRWest. I have hiked LWildHorse- just recently. We find it easy. Good to know about the boulders in Buckskin- at least we will be able to see them. Hopefully they put a ladder back up by March near the entrance. We will only plan to hike in about 3+ miles, then back out. For a nice, enjoyable casual hike, ~6 miles is typic ally long enough- especially in the heat! We are also not 20 anymore! We did hike Half Dome at Yosemite recently though. It is ~16 miles R/T and very steep- I highly recommend it!
Do you have any suggestions as to which location we should enter? I know it's very long and you can jump in at different spots. I read something about a long 8 miles dirt road to Wire Pass Trail.
There is now a ladder at the 10 ft. drop...better then hiking above and around
Thanks for the info. How far would you guess is the ladder from the Wire Pass confluence?
If you mean the alcove area about a mile....I’ve hiked it a few times previous and about 2 weeks ago I did it again and always look in the slot and low and behold a ladder was placed...it was a lot better then going up and around
How sturdy is the ladder? Is it metal?
@@thecaptain6994 no, wood plank
when did you film this?
Nov 2019
The video could be improved by editing out the remarks that are obvious.
Obvious to you. You assume everyone can understand what they're seeing. Some can't. Thanks for the comment.
@@BackRoadsWest1 Sorry. Looks like I offended you. The video is great, but some of the comments cover over the best photos. Location is really all a person needs to know.
@@joanmarshall6653 no, you didn't offend me. Feedback is good. Realize though that these are informational videos, like a training video, on how to go visit a place. Without captions, then I'm limited to a lot of narration, which is more time-consuming, and people then won't like all the talking and prefer music. Of all the videos we have, you're probably the first person that didn't like the captions.
So beautiful there!