Paria and Beyond 2.5

This is fun trail that first takes you to the Paria townsite on a graded road. You then shift into 4WD and take a Jeep trail out of the Paria River, up another canyon and out across open grazing land.

The second part of the trail makes a loop north by Deer Spring Point then returns via Fin Little Wash.

There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page.

Antelope on open grazing land

We did the Paria townsite first.  The hills in this canyon are spectacular.

You may be lucky and see bighorn sheep

Brilliant colors

The original Paria townsite was settled by Mormon Pioneers in 1865.  In 1870 Indian raids forced them to move upstream.  Forty years later the site was abandoned because of heavy floods.  Many western movies were filmed in this location beginning in the 1930's

Remains of an original cabin

Paria cemetery

After visiting the townsite it is time to air down and head out of the Paria River Canyon.  There are a few interesting formations along the way.

Shortly after leaving the townsite

A canyon along the way

The first few miles of this stretch is one of the 2.5 rated parts.  The road has been washed out and relocated (sort of) in several places.  The spot pictured requires you to drive high on the left berm.

Crossing a wash

Creek has washed the bank back into the road

After this difficult part the road heads out through open grazing land with many gates.  This is where we saw the antelope.  At one spot the trail comes close to US 89 and there is an alternative trail that will allow you to end your journey at this point.

If you continue on you will make a loop to the north then return to US 89 through Fin Little Wash.  The beginning of this north loop can also be accessed from US 89 by an alternative trail, so you could begin the north loop here if you wanted.

Headed for Kitchen Corral Wash

Deer Spring Point in the distance

After reaching the north point of the loop and heading down the western leg you can see White Cliffs.

Continue on the track and you will drop into Fin Little Wash, a mild 2.5 rated part of the trail.

White Cliffs

Dropping into Fin Little Wash

A few obstacles in a small interesting canyon.  Nice break from sandy roads.

Mild ledge climb

One narrow spot

Updated 2017.

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