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Zebra Slot Canyon

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Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (16)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. Escalante
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“An easy hike to a moderately challenging slot canyon. ”

Ben King
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Map Key

5.2

Miles

8.4

KM

Out and Back

5,335' 1,626 m

High

5,155' 1,571 m

Low

289' 88 m

Up

289' 88 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Zebra Canyon is a photographer's dream. Shape shifting walls undulate in synchronous waves, striated with streaks of pink and magenta. The light plays as if in a prism of colorful stone, reflective water, and a sliver of sky. The length of the canyon itself is short, but you could linger for a long time trying to get just the perfect picture of the scene. The hike to get here requires some effort, however, traveling through a sandy wash exposed to the sun and crossing a pool of cold water that guards the entrance. It is a prize well earned. - Overview by Jesse Weber, Outdoor Project.

Description

Take the Hole in the Rock Road 8 miles south from Hwy 12 to a parking area on the right, just past a cattle guard. The trail starts on the opposite side of the road. It is easy to follow until you reach Harris Wash. At this point, follow the cairns up the wash. Once the wash narrows into a slot canyon, you may have to wade through some puddles up to about five feet deep. The canyon quickly narrows to 8-10 inches at its narrowest, with some scrambling required to make it further up. Eventually, the slot runs into a 10 foot high ledge. This ledge can be negotiated with some bouldering/mantling skills, but several more potholes at the top make turning around the better choice.

Flora & Fauna

Lizards, rattesnakes, ravens, and other typical desert fauna are in abundance.

Contacts

Land Manager: BLM Utah - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Shared By:

Ben King with improvements by Jesse Weber
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 16 votes

#1

in Escalante

#1610

Overall
  4.3 from 16 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Escalante

#115

in Utah

#1,610

Overall
56 Views Last Month
4,475 Since Jun 2, 2017
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Photos

Chest deep water in the slot.
Apr 2, 2023 near Escalante, UT
View from the trail in the slot.
Apr 2, 2023 near Escalante, UT
View from the trail.
Apr 2, 2023 near Escalante, UT
Negotiating Zebra Slot Canyon is a bundle of fun!
Jun 2, 2017 near Escalante, UT
Beautiful colorations in the rocks of this area give it its name.
Jun 2, 2017 near Escalante, UT

2 Comments

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Apr 2, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Chest deep polar plunge
May 29, 2022
Matthew Funke
Decent canyon worthwhile
May 19, 2022
Amanda Wright
2.6mi
Nov 24, 2021
Dea Nelson
cold pool 2.5mi
May 16, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Dec 31, 2020
Tim May
Clear trail out, slotty but easy to stay dry. — 3h 33m
Dec 6, 2020
Randy Farber
slot has water 5.8mi
Oct 15, 2020
Andrew White
not the best marked hike. follow the pilled rocks and do not follow the wash. Once at the slot canyon it is very narrow and the water can be around… 5.2mi — 2h 00m

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