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At mile 34, the obscure Dominguez Pass Trail climbs 2 miles and 1600 feet to the east rim of the Canyon. Although it offers fine views of lower Paria Canyon, this trail is not often hiked because most backpackers have their sights set on Lees Ferry and a shower by this time.

Paria River, Paria Canyon

Canyon Formation

Deep, narrow canyons form on the Colorado Plateau for several reasons. First, the entire plateau has been raised high above sea level, creating a huge amount of erosive power from the precipitation that falls on it. Second, an energetic Colorado River system is fed by copious snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, creating a master canyon and drainage to the sea. Third, the soft sandstone is eroded more rapidly by stream action than from local rainfall, so the canyon deepens quickly but widens slowly.

BUCKSKIN CANYON OPTIONAL SIDE HIKE Buckskin Canyon is 16 miles long, its width varies from 3 to 15 feet, and is up to 500 feet deep. A recommended side hike from Paria takes you 3 miles up the canyon. You’ll encounter a boulder jam about 2 miles above the confluence with the Paria River. Steps cut into the rock form a bypass and you will need a rope to haul packs. A full-length hike of Buckskin Canyon is a more serious undertaking than the Paria, because you’ll probably have to swim deep, cold pools.