IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Sunday, December 28, 2014
On Sunday morning we drove over to the Wire Pass trailhead from our hotel in Page and arrived shortly after the sunrise. Our plan for today was to hike through Wire Pass and then down Buckskin Gulch for a few miles. Unfortunately, we would not be unable to go down Buckskin Gulch from the confluence with Wire Pass because of some large pools of water blocking our way, and we weren't prepared to get wet on this cold December day. I had hoped that any water in the canyon might be frozen so we could walk right over it, but that was not the case. Instead, we turned around and hiked up Buckskin Gulch until we exited the narrows. When the canyon opened up I noticed a playground of sandstone above the wash and below the West Clark Bench, so we climbed up into that area and explored the colors and shapes of the sandstone for a while. We made a big loop and ended up back down in Buckskin Gulch again. As we hiked back down towards Wire Pass, the light in the canyon was much nicer than on our way up, and I stopped to take many photos along the way.
Hiking down Coyote Wash in the morning light on our way to Wire Pass.
Sunrise Hike by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Entering Wire Pass.
Into Wire Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Plenty of beautiful sights as we hiked through the narrows of Buckskin Gulch.
Leaving the Narrows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Slot Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small arch is visible above the slot.
Tiny Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The canyon walls became shorter the further we went...
Shorter by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
...until we exited the canyon and were hiking in a wash.
Out of the Narrows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Climbing up the sandstone at the base of the West Clark Bench.
Allure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
To The Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It was a beautiful area to explore.
Sandstone Exploring by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Striations by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Up by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We could see the Coyote Buttes and Top Rock from up here, where we would be going tomorrow.
Climbing Above by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane overlooking Buckskin Gulch and The Cockscomb.
Overlooking Buckskin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My shadow, a pool of ice and colorful sandstone.
Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This was an interesting hoodoo we passed by while trying to find a way back down into Buckskin Gulch.
Layers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Transition from sandstone to sand.
Sandstone Wanderings by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We passed this little arch that reminded us of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.
Mini Delicate Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
On Sunday morning we drove over to the Wire Pass trailhead from our hotel in Page and arrived shortly after the sunrise. Our plan for today was to hike through Wire Pass and then down Buckskin Gulch for a few miles. Unfortunately, we would not be unable to go down Buckskin Gulch from the confluence with Wire Pass because of some large pools of water blocking our way, and we weren't prepared to get wet on this cold December day. I had hoped that any water in the canyon might be frozen so we could walk right over it, but that was not the case. Instead, we turned around and hiked up Buckskin Gulch until we exited the narrows. When the canyon opened up I noticed a playground of sandstone above the wash and below the West Clark Bench, so we climbed up into that area and explored the colors and shapes of the sandstone for a while. We made a big loop and ended up back down in Buckskin Gulch again. As we hiked back down towards Wire Pass, the light in the canyon was much nicer than on our way up, and I stopped to take many photos along the way.
Hiking down Coyote Wash in the morning light on our way to Wire Pass.
Sunrise Hike by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Entering Wire Pass.
Into Wire Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Plenty of beautiful sights as we hiked through the narrows of Buckskin Gulch.
Leaving the Narrows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Slot Fork by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small arch is visible above the slot.
Tiny Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The canyon walls became shorter the further we went...
Shorter by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
...until we exited the canyon and were hiking in a wash.
Out of the Narrows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Climbing up the sandstone at the base of the West Clark Bench.
Allure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
To The Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It was a beautiful area to explore.
Sandstone Exploring by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Striations by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Up by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We could see the Coyote Buttes and Top Rock from up here, where we would be going tomorrow.
Climbing Above by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane overlooking Buckskin Gulch and The Cockscomb.
Overlooking Buckskin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My shadow, a pool of ice and colorful sandstone.
Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This was an interesting hoodoo we passed by while trying to find a way back down into Buckskin Gulch.
Layers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Transition from sandstone to sand.
Sandstone Wanderings by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
We passed this little arch that reminded us of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.
Mini Delicate Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Last edited:
