.jpg "Sunrise over the Cockscomb House Rock Valley UT")
Thinking to get an early start and beat the heat I left camp along the Southern Cockscombs shortly after sunrise very excited about hiking Buckskin Gulch slot canyon.
.jpg "Speedometer")
As fast as I could go
The road was terribly rough and rutted. And my speedometer is 5mph fast.
.jpg "Geology interp sign Cockscomb UT")
The four mile drive to Wire Pass trailhead took 30 minutes.
.jpg "Wire Pass trailhead AZ")
Wire Pass Trailhead
The beginning of the trail looks a lot like the road I just drove, this is a dry wash.
.jpg "Slot canyon Wire Pass trail GRSE NM AZ")
Entering the cool shade of the slot I was simply in awe. Plus no worry about heat and glad I brought a long sleeved shirt.
.jpg "Slot canyon Wire Pass trail GRSE NM AZ")
Took so many photos I had a difficult time choosing. Every bend and turn brings a new look at nature’s sculpture by water.
.jpg "Navajo sandstone at junction Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch AZ")
Navajo Sandstone with mineral streaks and cross bedding
After 1.7 miles (2.7km) the canyon opens to the junction with Buckskin Gulch.
.jpg "Petroglyphs and sediments at junction Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch UT")
Petroglyphs and sediments
More ancient than time. These soft deposits show how the cross-bedded sandstone is made over millions of years.
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Enter Buckskin Gulch
Back into the shade.
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Tree trunk wedged about 25 feet (7.63 m)
Have to respect the power of water.
.jpg "Dried clay in Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Dried clay
Watch your step, it’s not completely dry.
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Navajo sandstone carved by water
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Would never be caught hiking here before, during or after a monsoon rain.
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Only met a few other hikers.
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
.jpg "Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon GRSE NM AZ")
Navajo sandstone
I hiked about 5 miles (8.04 km) total in five hours. My usual pace. And I’d love to return to hike more of the 23 possible miles including Paria Canyon. Just not sure I want to drive that road again. Maybe it will be graded. I can hope.
As fast as I could goThe road was terribly rough and rutted. And my speedometer is 5mph fast.
The four mile drive to Wire Pass trailhead took 30 minutes.Wire Pass TrailheadThe beginning of the trail looks a lot like the road I just drove, this is a dry wash.
Entering the cool shade of the slot I was simply in awe. Plus no worry about heat and glad I brought a long sleeved shirt.Took so many photos I had a difficult time choosing. Every bend and turn brings a new look at nature’s sculpture by water.Navajo Sandstone with mineral streaks and cross beddingAfter 1.7 miles (2.7km) the canyon opens to the junction with Buckskin Gulch.
Petroglyphs and sedimentsMore ancient than time. These soft deposits show how the cross-bedded sandstone is made over millions of years.
Enter Buckskin GulchBack into the shade.
Tree trunk wedged about 25 feet (7.63 m)Have to respect the power of water.
Dried clayWatch your step, it’s not completely dry.
Navajo sandstone carved by waterWould never be caught hiking here before, during or after a monsoon rain.Only met a few other hikers.Navajo sandstoneI hiked about 5 miles (8.04 km) total in five hours. My usual pace. And I’d love to return to hike more of the 23 possible miles including Paria Canyon. Just not sure I want to drive that road again. Maybe it will be graded. I can hope.
what a beautiful series of captures…and obviously quite a hike as well. the walls of the canyon are awesome. love the colors and striations.
have a wonderful day at lake powell.
Wonderful pics, Gaelyn. I’m in awe of the beauty of that place.
Your pictures are awesome, although I bet no picture could really do this landscape justice. Those old rocks have so many stories to tell. Just beautiful.
What an awesome place! I want to go so bad, but Jim won’t take our truck out there. I can only dream about it.
What a great slot canyon. You’re really seeing and exploring the country, Gaelyn. I love your photos.
Great pictures. I particularly like the petroglyph shot. Think that’s an ancient scribble or modern copy? After going to Mojave and reading about China Lake I want to explore the petroglyphs there as well (ON the MILITARY base but escorts can be arranged..)
I am totally speechless!!! WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!
Really fantastic. I would love to stand and play penny whistle in one of those “slots”. How are the acoustics? What a wonder.
Those canyon walls have incredible shapes and colors. Thank you for posting the beautiful photos so that even those of us who didn’t drive on that bumpy road or hike all those miles can enjoy the Buckskin Gulch too.
Those pictures are absolutely awesome.
I love the southwest. One of the most beautiful places on earth I think.
these caves and pathways and truly wondrous. You’re so lucky that you have such a cool hiking trail
How amazing it is when nature has created something so artistic and mindblowingly beautiful.
It is all so wonderful.
Gaelyn: Simply beautiful captures.
Those slot canyons are beautiful, I hope to see them in person some day.
What an unusual place! Your photos are fantastic in an area I’m sure was hard to photograph.
What a great place. Thanks for sharing it with us. I loved seeing the petroglyphs.
The only word I have for this post is WOW! What a place, the rocks are just incredible and as you say, amazing to think water can do that, but the softened lines prove it!