The Paria River (Kane) originates on the southwestern slopes of the Aquarius Plateau and the southern slopes of Bryce Canyon National Park. It drains south to empty into the Colorado River at Lees Ferry in Arizona. Travelers used to follow the river as they moved north and south, then had to cross the river when traveling between St. George and Kanab or to Henrieville-Escalante country. In his journal, Powell used the name Ute Creek for the river. It was often spelled Pahrea(h), a Piute Indian word meaning muddy water or elk water.