Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

Just left Paria Canyon for the second time. Just as amazing as the first. Paria is a spiritual place and can change your life.
We did 40 miles over 5 days at a leisurely pace. One of the highlights of the trip was a side trek to Wrather Arch. Absolutely Amazing.

Great scenery in slot canyons. We were on the wire pass trailhead. Saw a lot of neat formations.

VIRGIN ON TRAIL, in other words, my first BACKPACKING TRIP!!!
The Stats:
Distance: About 10 miles
Elevation Gain: less than 500 feet
Rating: ²⁄₁₀ (w/​o pack) difficulty increases as the pack weight increases
Trail: Open Canyon
Duration: 4 – 6 hours
Water Warning: Ankle deep water, quicksand sloppy mud
Camping Fees: $ 4.00-$ 10.00
Essentials:
As little as possible (no more than 30% of your total weight)
Must be able to be self-​sustaining for number of days
Recommended items
Clothing
Dehydrated food
Water (there are springs where water can be filtered, you just have to find them)
Water filter
Tent
Sleeping pad & bag
Camping towel
Hiking Poles
For a more complete list check out
Waste information:
Background
Paria means «muddy water» in the Paiute Indian language. Hikers must wade through the muddy waters of the wild and twisting canyon. One hiker counted approximately 300 river crossings. Boulders and other obstacles increase the challenge.
The 112,000 acre Paria Canyon-​Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness was established by the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984. Located along the Arizona-​Utah border, it contains public lands in Kane and Coconino counties. Paria Canyon is managed by two federal agencies, the Bureau of Land Management – Vermillion and Kanab Resource Areas, and the National Park Service – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The BLM is required to preserve the area’s natural conditions, outstanding opportunities, for solitude and primitive recreation, and the area’s educational, scenic, and historical values. This is accomplished through required management of a variety of uses such as hiking, backpacking, hunting, and livestock grazing. More restrictive visitor use limits may at times be needed to protect wilderness resources, which is the top priority when a choice must be made between preservation and visitation.
Our Route
After a night’s sleep in St. George, UT, me and The Crew caravanned our weekend adventure, camping for two nights in Paria Canyon with a day night through Buckskin Gulch. Before heading off to a land of no cell service, electricity, or any other form of service and comforts of home, we stop by the Visitors Center at the Coyote Buttes Permit Area in Arizona to pick up our permit. Permits are restricted to 10 people, quarters are close so choose wisely.
Our day on trail begins in a dirt parking lot where we make any last minute adjustments to our oversized packs, which should not be more than 30% of our overall weight. Fortunately one hiker brought a luggage scale and we were able to weigh in our packs. My was 34 lbs., which is a bit under the 30% Woo Hoo! Not bad for a virgin to backpacking.
9:30ish a.m. we headed off to our weekend «hotel». Through dirt, sand, and water, we trecked along while stopping to take it all in, the views, the clean air, the creations that have formed over the years. Pictures just don’t do this place justice. So majestic, so much beauty, makes me wish we didn’t have to ruin it with buildings and cars, etc…
The woman at the Visitor’s Center said it was seven miles, Ha!!! It was closer to 10 miles to the campsite. But that’s ok, a body in motion, stays in motion. We dropped our packs at our campsite six hours later.
After looking around for a spring for water, pupping our tents, and settling in, dinner was made and consumed. Once the sun went down, we all went to bed. It was an exhausting day and the following day will require lots of energy and enthusiasm.
Disclaimer: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-​threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepare. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.

I was thinking about slot canyons today …
Check out the original review! What a trip down memory lane. I choked up a little.