Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument
Hike Overview
The Wire Pass–Buckskin Loop is a loop hike that combines the Wire Pass slot canyon with a return through Buckskin Gulch or visa-versa . The route involves extended travel in narrow slot canyon terrain, sandy wash bottoms, and confined sections that can be muddy or wet depending on recent weather. This hike requires advance planning, route awareness, and a permit. A shuttle is advisable.
Length: 5.6 Miles as a through hike – 11.2 miles if done as an out and back.
Elevation Gain: 410 ft
Route Type: Through hike or Out and Back
Difficulty: Challenging
Permit Required: Yes – $6.00 per person/dog https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/10006177
Dog Friendly: Yes – $6.00 per person/dog https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/10006177
Directions to the Trailheads:
You can do this route from two different directions. I would recommend starting at the Upper Buckskin Gulch Trailhead and looping around to the Wire Pass Trailhead. This will leave the slot canyon section of the canyon for the grand finale at the end of the hike. If you are planning on trying to get a ride back to your vehicle from another hiking party then finishing at the Wirepass Trailhead is advantageous because there are far more people at this parking area than the Buckskin.
The hike is located on House Rock Valley Road BLM – 1065 and can be accessed via Highway 89 Kanab/Page on its north and highway 89A going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon/Jacob’s Lake on its south end. The road is normally fine for all vehicles unless it is wet. Even the toughest of 4×4 rigs will have issues if the red shale is muddy.
For access from the north end:
Turn onto House Rock valley from Hwy 89 at about mile post 25 on a huge sweeping curve at the top of a steep grade through a large cut in the cliff, there will be a green sign marking the road from both directions. To start at Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, drive a little over 4 miles on an improved road (2wd safe normally) until you come to a wash 1/4 mile past a cattle guard. Take a left on a small dirt road and drive a quarter mile to the trailhead. The Wire Pass Trailhead is another 4 miles down House Rock Valley Road on the right hand side.
For access from the South end:
Turn on to House Rock Valley Rd off of 89A onto House Rock Valley Rd at mile post 565.5. Drive approximately 25.3 miles on a beautifully scenic dirt road. Drive past Wire Pass Trailhead parking lot ( 21 Miles) and continue for 4.3 miles. The turn off to the Upper Buckskin Gulch Trailhead will be on your right and you will see the bathrooms from the main road about four hundred yards down a small road. If you come to a cattle guard and barbed wire fence you have gone about a quarter mile too far.
Wire Pass to Buckskin Hike Description
This superb hike combines the upper portion of Buckskin Gulch with Wire Pass Canyon and can be done in either direction. The Buckskin section features a wide wash with expansive views of sandstone formations, while the Wire Pass segment takes you through a striking slot canyon barely wide enough to squeeze through. At the junction of the two canyons, don’t miss the impressive Ancestral Puebloan petroglyph panel.
The hike is moderately difficult due to the terrain and its length, categorizing it as challenging. You will need to navigate an 8-foot ladder in Wire Pass, which is manageable if you’re not afraid of heights. While the hike can be completed as an 11.2-mile out-and-back, it’s more enjoyable as a 5.6-mile point-to-point hike. For a through hike, you’ll need two vehicles, leaving one at each end, or hitch a ride from another group, which is usually easy to arrange.
Be prepared for wet conditions after rain or snow, as the canyon can become muddy. Flash floods are a serious risk, so check weather forecasts and avoid hiking during storms or monsoon season. Floods can wash out the ladder, making the route impassable until repaired. In hot months, the Buckskin section can get extremely hot, so bring plenty of water and sun protection. In winter, Wire Pass can be very cold, so dress in layers. As of 2024, the fee for day hiking Wire Pass is $6.00 per person/dog, with a proposed increase to $10.00. Obtain your permit online here: Recreation.gov Wire Pass Permit.