Photo: John Melville Backpacking Paria Canyon, Arizona and Utah Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08058A Price: $1,095 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 8 Rating: M Leader:
The Trip  Photo: John Melville This trip has been canceled. If you have questions, please contact us. A backpack trip down the Paria River Canyon is so special that it should be on everyone's list of things to do before they leave this world. Unsurpassed in beauty, remarkable in color and form, it is an experience that you will savor forever. Unlike the Grand Canyon, which can be overwhelming in its vastness, the Paria is intimate and has a gentle subtlety in its beauty. The deep red sandstone walls of the canyon, finely sculpted by the ages, offer a feast for the eye and a healing quiet for the soul. The Paria Canyon Wilderness begins in southern Utah and follows the Paria River for 38 miles, to its confluence with the Colorado River at Lees Ferry. Shallow and wide at the beginning, the canyon narrows and its walls rise until they tower hundreds of feet over the river. At its narrowest, Buckskin Gulch -- one of the Colorado Plateau's most famous and beautiful "slot" canyons -- converges with the Paria River. The Paria will yield ancient petroglyphs, marvelous geological forms, natural springs, and a wonderful natural arch to those with the desire to explore.  Photo: John Melville Late spring is the ideal time of year for this backpacking journey. The water in the narrow parts of the canyon will be relatively warm, and the open parts farther south should not be too hot. Wildflowers will be in abundance and the grasses will be green, contrasting marvelously with the red canyon walls.
We will meet at the Lees Ferry long-term parking area prior to the start of the trip. Here, we'll get acquainted and distribute commissary gear. We will then board a van shuttle for the 65-mile ride to the White House Trailhead. The cost of the shuttle is included in the trip fee.  Photo: John Melville We will have lunch on the trail during our seven-mile first day. Following our four-hour hike, we'll find our camp for the next two nights at the confluence of the Paria and Buckskin Gulch. This may well be one of the most spectacular campsites you've ever seen. If water levels permit, we will explore the extraordinary beauty of Buckskin Gulch to the Rockslide. We will then proceed through the Narrows and stop at the first open, safe camping area. Continuing, we will backpack downstream to Wrather Canyon, then to Bush Head Canyon, and finally to the confluence of the Paria and the Colorado. Our backpacking will usually be done in the mornings. Most days we will be in camp early, allowing participants free afternoons to enjoy the wonders of this special place. Depending on weather and water levels, we will have at least one layover day to explore, read, photograph, or just watch the clouds. Except for a couple of hours, our trip will cover areas with no maintained trails. We'll follow the Paria River, crossing often and frequently hiking in the river itself. The water is seldom more than knee-deep, and quicksand is rarely more than an annoyance. Your feet, however, may be constantly wet. Lightweight hiking boots, made partially of fabric, or heavy athletic shoes make for a good footwear choice. Getting There The outing will begin and end at Lees Ferry, Arizona. The nearest airports are Flagstaff, Arizona (130 miles, four hours); Las Vegas, Nevada (295 miles, 6.5 hours); Phoenix, Arizona (290 miles, 6.5 hours); and Salt Lake City, Utah (400 miles, 8.5 hours). Lodging at Lees Ferry or nearby Marble Canyon is available. Camping will also be available but is not included in the trip price. All participants must make their own travel arrangements to and from Lees Ferry, Arizona. Individuals interested in ride sharing should contact the leader, who will gladly assist in coordinating carpools. Additional travel and itinerary information will be mailed out to approved participants.
The first meal will be lunch on day one, and the last will be lunch on day seven. Trip menus will feature easily prepared and hearty backpacking fare. We may not be able to accommodate special dietary requirements -- please check with the trip leader. All foods and preparation equipment will be supplied. Participants will take turns preparing meals, under the guidance of and with the assistance of the leaders. Participants need to supply their own personal eating utensils. Wherever possible, we'll get our drinking water from the numerous springs found along the river. Some water will be taken from the Paria. All water will be purified. The leaders will supply water filtering equipment for use in cooking. Participants should have their own purification chemicals in some form (i.e., Potable Aqua) for personal use. Please check with the leader before purchasing water purification equipment. Because of heavy use, the Bureau of Land Management requires that all trash be packed out. This includes used toilet paper. Ziploc-type bags containing some dry bleach placed within a tightly-fitted plastic container will serve the purpose odorlessly (and will be provided). A small trowel for digging "cat holes" will be supplied.
This trip is rated as moderate (M), due to negligible elevation change and short hiking distances (except possibly the first day). The river, however, could be deeper and faster than expected, multiple fordings are a necessity, and some boulder-hopping awaits us. In addition, the side canyons are steep and rocky in places. Although flash floods are extremely rare in May, the BLM will close the canyon if such is in progress or imminent. Should this happen, we will adjust our itinerary in a way appropriate to conditions.
A comprehensive listing of recommended equipment will be mailed to each participant after sign-up. Some of the essential items include: A backpack (external or internal), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, light tent or tarp, water carrier (70 ounces) and two-quart water bottles, boots, clothing suitable for weather between 60-90 degrees, wide-brim hat, bandana, poncho, flashlight, eating utensils, sunscreen and lip balm. It is very important that all personal items be kept to a maximum of 25 pounds, including clothing, sleeping bag, backpack, and all other gear.
The "Hiker's Guide to Paria Canyon" brochure and map is available
from the trail-head ranger station or the BLM's Kanab Office: 318 North First
East,Kanab, UT, 64741; 7.5-minute topos: "West Clark Bench," "Bridger Point" (Utah-Arizona), "Water Pockets," "Wrather Arch," "Ferry Swale," and "Lees Ferry" (Arizona) Books:
Conservation: What is the value of wilderness? As we explore the Paria Canyon, we will try to formulate a personal answer to this question. Doing so will help us become advocates for what remains of a once-vast and wild continent.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
John has hiked extensively in the Grand Canyon as well as in other parts of Canyon Country. For those who would like to gently stretch their imagination, physical abilities, sense of adventure, and understanding of our natural world, he welcomes participation on this adventure.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
|
The canyons of the Southwest are John Melville's favorite places in the world. Though he started backpacking relatively late in life, John loves introducing others to this wonderful hiking destination. He takes pride in designing trips with enough challenge to leave participants with a sense of accomplishment, but leisurely enough that they will really feel the natural beauty of the surroundings.