Wire Pass Trailhead, Desert trailhead near Kanab, United States.
Wire Pass Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness that leads to multiple connected trails through narrow sandstone canyons. The area features towering red and orange rock formations with passages that shift from tight squeezes to wider sections.
This location was shaped millions of years ago by water carving through Navajo Sandstone, creating the narrow passages visible today. The geological forces that formed these canyons have remained largely unchanged since then.
This area served as a traditional passage and hunting ground for Navajo and other tribes who knew these canyons well. Visitors today can sense this heritage as they walk through the same narrow passages their ancestors traveled.
This area is extremely dry and hot, so bring plenty of water and start early in the day to avoid midday heat. There are no facilities or water sources at the location, making self-sufficiency essential for any visit.
Buckskin Gulch, accessible from this trailhead, features dramatic sections where canyon walls rise to towering heights and then narrow unexpectedly. The sudden shifts between wide and tight passages create a memorable hiking experience that varies constantly.
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