Cobra Arch and Middle Route to Buckskin Gulch

Trail Overview

This road is an excellent trail drive accessible off Highway 89 near the Paria River. It has great scenery, including hike-able slot canyons, high mountain meadows, and red rock views of the backside of Wire Glass Pass, Buckskin Gulch, and White Pockets. There is also access to a Paria River overlook if you continue past the end of the route, but beware of deep soft sand when doing so. The road is labeled FS 750 and is a graded dirt/rock/sand surface road for the first couple of miles, gradually becoming a two-track, ungraded trail for the last few miles. The road is accessible with standard stock 4x4 vehicles with high clearance. Two small obstacles require high clearance, but even high-clearance 4x4 overland vans could complete the trail with care over these two obstacles (the one rock drop is shown in the photos). The biggest driving risk of this trail is the potential for deep sand requiring 4x4 use in a couple of locations. Do not travel the trail when flash flooding is possible, as several washes could cross the road during heavy rain. The end of this route is a seldom-used hiking trailhead for experienced hikers that provides access to the Middle Route to Buckskin Gulch and the hike to Cobra Arch. Several offshoot trails off can be explored, but take caution of deep sand.

Photos of Cobra Arch and Middle Route to Buckskin Gulch

Want to see more?

Login

Difficulty

The trail is mostly rated a 2, with the potential obstacles being deep sand on the trail and one rock ledge that is drivable with care with most moderate high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. AWD vehicles such as a Volvo, Subaru, etc. are not recommended, but with an experienced driver, these vehicles could potentially drive this trail.

History

This is the only access to the Middle Route to Buckskin Gulch.

Technical Rating