Wire Pass Slot Canyon
Kanab, Utah
Details
Distance
3.75 miles
Elevation Gain
325 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Nick Oman
Wire Pass Slot Canyon is a scenic slot canyon adventure that is relatively flat and a great alternative to permit-only hikes near the Utah and Arizona border.
Wire Pass is a hike through a scenic slot canyon that is often overlooked due to its close proximity to the very famous Wave. Unlike the "Wave" a permit is not required to make the hike, only a day use fee at the trailhead. Be sure to check local weather for rainfall and please do not go on this trail if there are any flash flood concerns.
Getting There:
Getting to the trailhead requires a 8 mile drive on a fairly well maintained dirt road(could be impassable during storms) called House Rock Valley Road. A high clearance vehicle is not mandatory, but would be a good idea.
The Trail:
Starting off on the trail just follow the wash as it meanders along the desert as it will lead you right to the slot canyons of Wire Pass.
There are a couple small sections of canyon that are a prelude to the main canyon. A short distance later and you enter into much taller and narrower sections that are a highlight of the hike.
The only major obstacle of the hike comes up pretty quick in this section of The Wire Pass slot canyon. A 7-8 foot drop that isn't too bad going down, but coming back up can be a challenge if alone. I'm 6'0 and fairly experienced at scrambling and didn't have too much trouble. If you are much shorter or lack experience in this kind of hiking you could turn around at this point.
Following the tightest part of the slot canyon the walls open up to the huge intersection of Buckskin Gulch. Here you will find the huge arch in the wall and at the south end there are even some Petroglyphs to see as well.
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Wire Pass Slot Canyon Reviews
This trail follows a sandy/rocky wash as one entrance into Buckskin Gulch. It is flat, easy, and relatively bland until you get close to the entry into Buckskin. When you reach the first “slot canyon” there’s a dry fall that you’ll have to navigate, in the past there have been rocks/logs for some assistance. It can be a little intimidating for some but it is passable (both ways) and easier than you might think. Wire Pass is not the real attraction, it just happens to be the trail that gets people to The Wave or Buckskin Gulch, the two stars of the show.
4.0
This is an easy hike for incredible sights. There is now a rope ladder for the drop. Though I don't know if it's made it any easier. For those who would rather go around it, you can go back out of the canyon and on the left there are cairns that will lead you up and around the drop. You'll find yourself at the end of the slot but you can just hike up to where the ladder was before continuing on.
5.0
great hike with easy access to the start. there is about a 7ft drop to get down but not real difficult. After that it's easy going slot canyon to the confluence of Wire Pass & Buckskin Gulch. From there you can turn back or keep going either left or right into Buckskin Gulch. It is a fee area so have some cash at the trail head. $6/person.
5.0
I’m a local in the area and I love this hike. Awesome petroglyphs and it leads you right into buckskin gulch. There is one spot that may be hard for children or elderly people. You should do weather research before just to make sure there won’t be any flash floods in the area. It may be sunny but miles away there could be rain which may lead into the canyon.
4.0
Did it with our 5 and 7 year old. 1.7 miles down Wire Pass to Buckskin Gultch. Cool Petroglyphs just before the gultch. We hiked north for another 1.5 miles or so. Worth the trip.
4.0
Did not disappoint at all! Never knew anything like this existed.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
The Wave via Coyote Buttes North
Hike Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
Hike the Buckskin Mountain Passage from Stateline Campground on the Arizona Trail
Hike to the White Pocket
Night Photography at White Pocket
Hike to the Nautilus
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