Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Buckskin Gulch or Not?

Search

Buckskin Gulch or Not?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 26th, 2007 | 10:39 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 8
Buckskin Gulch or Not?

Plans for an early June trip are progressing.

I'll be driving from Zion to GC South Rim (staying the night in the Park) and on to Sedona.

I expect to stop and see Horseshoe Bend but would also really like to see a Slot Canyon.

Getting older (early 60s) and not a hiker but I'm fine with walking most of the day and resonably nimble.

Buckskin Gulch seems to be less hassle (not sure why I think that) than Antelope Canyon.

I'm more interested in the view/sights than the actual walk/hike. If I could spend an hour or so walking and seeing the sights it would be great.

Any recommendation on Buckskin?


Myer is offline  
Old Mar 26th, 2007 | 01:46 PM
  #2  
TheWeasel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
The reports I've seen for Buckskin indicate that the trailhead is a mile from the start of the canyon. That first mile basically follows an open wash before getting to the canyon. The canyon starts out sort of shallow and gets deeper, with a few drop-offs in the early going.

Based on that, I'm not sure you'd get much out of an hour hike/walk.
 
Old Mar 26th, 2007 | 01:52 PM
  #3  
TheWeasel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Forgot to add: there are some slot canyons in and around Zion (other than the Narrows), and some of those might have much easier access.
 
Old Mar 26th, 2007 | 02:04 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 8
Thanks Weasel,

I was just reading about them.

In and around Zion might be a better option.
Myer is offline  
Old Mar 27th, 2007 | 09:06 AM
  #5  
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Myer,

When you say "seeing the sights" exactly what do you mean? The colors and swirls often seen in photos of slot canyons? If so, your best bet is Antelope. It's beautiful. And we didn't find it to be that much hassle. Well worth the effort.

Otherwise, there are some slots near Zion that are fairly accessible, as others have mentioned.

Fran
Floridafran is offline  
Old Mar 27th, 2007 | 12:12 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,586
Likes: 0
Has anyone hiked Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch? I understand that's around 3.5 miles round trip. We are planning on doing that next week and I really, really hope the weather cooperates!!!
karens is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2007 | 09:20 AM
  #7  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,586
Likes: 0
I'll answer my own question - and Myers!

Myer - Antelope is easily accessable by a tour you can book in Page. In Antelope, at the right time of day, the sun streams down into the slot in beams of light.

You don't see this in Wire Pass. Wire Pass trailhead is about miles south of 89 on a dirt road (fine for rental cars). The hike is about a mile in a sandy wash, and then you hit the narrows. They are very cool. You hike through a few (very) narrow spots, and then come to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch. Total round trip is about 3.4 miles.

We loved this hike.

Horseshoe Bend is great - wonderful view.
karens is offline  
Old Apr 7th, 2007 | 10:50 AM
  #8  
OO
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,593
Likes: 0
I've done the Buckskin Gulch hike and I do recall it being a good walk from where we had to leave the car. There was one shallow wash we had to cross too, and decided to leave the car in the lot rather than risk getting stuck.

There is a small slot canyon on the left as you do the hike. We missed it going in, and saw it as we returned. You have to walk off the trail to get to it, but it's visible from the trail. There's also a large area of petroglyphs along the walk...amazing in variety.

Of the hikes we've done, this was less spectacular, although quite different from what you'd see in Zion, and we thoroughly enjoyed the day spent there. It's more a walk than a hike, too.

I have some pictures I could post to snapfish, but am not at my home computer and won't be until Monday.
OO is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ansh
United States
5
Feb 1st, 2012 03:28 PM
EBZ
United States
9
Jan 12th, 2010 04:51 PM
indy_dad
United States
7
Jul 21st, 2009 02:17 AM
svhansalias
United States
7
Apr 1st, 2008 08:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -