Buckinskin Gulch around Dec end

[RajeshR]

I would like to day-hike the Buckskin Gulch around Dec 25th. I checked the temperature and precipitation here-
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/climate.html

The precipitation and chances of flash floods are NOT the best in the year, but just alright. But it is the coldest

time in the year in the gulch.

So is it possible to do the gulch this time of the year ? The number of visitors is very low this time of the yr.
What are the challenges faced doing the gulch in winter ?

I would also be visiting the South Coyote Buttes and if possible "the Wave".

Thanks
Rajesh

[James_B_Wads2000]

Sounds like a crippling cold good time. :cold:

Watch out for ice!
http://www.climb-utah.com/Escalante/Files/buckskinice4.jpg

Read the full story here: Buckskin Bites Back (http://www.climb-utah.com/Escalante/buckskinice.htm).



James

[asdf]

yeah have fun with that.

[Iceaxe]

The conditions in the story were kind of a freak thing.... but that is also the type of stuff that happens outside the normal season so go prepared. I know a lot of people who have done Buckskin in winter with little or no problems. The two big problems are water and no daylight. The water issue is something you can usually check on with the rangers a few days before and get a rough idea of what you will find. I have hiked Buckskin and kept my shoes dry the entire trip and I have hiked Buckskin and been forced to swim. Nothing you can do about daylight, you will be completing part of this hike in the dark if you attempt to day trip it in December. And a word of warning.... twice I have received bogus info from the rangers in regards to water in Buckskin so take whatever they say with a large grain of salt.

[karoberts]

I hiked Buckskin gulch in the beginning of December 2008. I also visited "The Wave", which was incredible. Going in December is great because we just walked up to the BLM office and got permits for both.

We were concerned about the cold through Buckskin, so we took lots of warm clothing and heavy sleeping bags. The cold turned out not to be an issue, but the mud was maddening! It was like walking 9 miles through chocolate pudding 2 feet deep! The rangers told us it rained recently, so perhaps that's why. Everything was wading save for that one deep pool which was waist level.

The real problem was the Paria river. You end up crossing and recrossing so many times, and the water is very cold! Several times we had to stop because our feet got too cold. I recommend pushing fast through that section because once you exit the narrows you end up crossing less and the cold isn't a problem.

[Rob L]

Rajesh:

I also day-hiked Buckskin in December 2008. It was cold, icy. Not too many challenges, really, and thankfully fewer other visitors.

Trip Report here (http://www.bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15538) (starts with The Wave)

[DOSS]

Just did Buckskin in August (didn't see another soul the whole time we were on the trail). I would say do it as an overnight-er.. We decided to head up the Paria from the confluence at 4 AM and I am sure we missed some of the beauty of the hike with only our flashlights to lead the way.

Like all have said it can be done in a day but I don't like to rush things so I can sit back and enjoy my surroundings.