Into the Slot: Our Wild, Beautiful, and Muddy Buckskin Gulch Adventure

There's something about Utah that keeps pulling us back: the vast open spaces, the drama of the red rocks, and the sense that you're walking through nature's art gallery. This time, our adventure led us to Buckskin Gulch, one of the longest and most stunning slot canyons in the world.

 

We started early, the desert air still cool, the light just beginning to pour into the canyon.  And of course, we had our two four-legged explorers with us. Nora went wild. She climbed over red rock boulders like a mountain goat, nose to the ground, tail wagging, until she found some kind of critter and started digging enthusiastically in the soft red sand. Scout was more composed, soaking in the smells and trotting happily beside us.

 

The beginning of the hike winds through a narrow mini-canyon, a soft and sandy path flanked by stunning rock walls. The dogs were in heaven, it felt like their own private desert playground.

 

But then... we hit it.  The ladder. A massive ladder requiring a climb down. Nora could  have made it with some help. But Scout? Not a chance. He's too big to carry safely down, and we didn't want to risk it. With a heavy heart (and two disappointed pups), we turned back. Note: Dogs are allowed in Buckskin Gulch, but if you're going beyond the ladder, you need to come prepared: a harness, a way to safely lower them, or make peace with turning back.

 

Still, we couldn't resist. A few days later, we returned,  just the two of us.  No dogs this time. Just humans, backpacks, and an eagerness to see what lay beyond.  And wow...it was worth every step. Buckskin Gulch wraps around you like a living sculpture. 

 

The deeper you go into Buckskin Gulch, the more surreal it becomes. The walls rise higher, the light shifts from fiery reds to soft lavender, pink and even blues, and at times, it feels like you're walking through a dream. You will get wet: there are pools of water along the way, sometimes knee-deep, sometimes more. But don't let that stop you. It's all part of the fun. There's something magical about the silence in the canyon, broken only by your footsteps in the sand and the occasional echo off the stone walls. 

 

This place is a treasure: wild, raw, and beautiful. We'll definitely be back again. Maybe next time, with a plan to get the pups past that big drop.

 

Pro tips:

• Start early - the morning light here is next-level stunning.
• Bring good shoes that handle sand and water.
• Watch the weather: slot canyons can flood fast.
• Don't forget your camera. The light, the colors, the textures... it's a photographer's dream.

Buckskin Gulch is not just a hike. It's an adventure, a work of art, and a soul-expanding journey. If you're exploring Utah, don't miss it, just plan ahead if you're bringing pups.

 

 

See you on the next adventure!

 

Love,

The Team