To reach Tunnel Slot, go down Harris Wash a little less than a mile (20-30 minutes) from Zebra to the first side canyon coming in on the left. Go up this side canyon about 10 minutes to reach the Tunnel. It can be dry, or a deep pool. Return up Harris Wash to Halfway Hollow and follow the trail back to the trailhead. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. Gems in Escalante Canyons - 4. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Devil's Garden (5). 2.6 mi 4.2 km #4 Zebra Slot Canyon Trail. Escalante, UT Intermediate. Escalante, UT 12 6.6 mi 10.7 km #5 Lower Death Hollow.
The trailhead for Zebra Slot Canyon is located 7.8 miles down Hole-In-The-Rock road from Highway 12 in Escalante Utah. The parking lot for the trailhead is located on the west side of the road just south of the 3rd cattle guard. Hole-In-The-Rock road is passable in a passenger car for the first 40 miles or so but they say it does get quite rough near the end of the road.
The hike to Zebra Slot Canyon is around 2.5 miles one way on a well-trod footpath until you reach the mouth of the canyon itself. You can follow Harris Wash for the last part but it was filled with deep sand and is much more tiring to hike in than the trail. Once inside the canyon the fun really starts. If you are claustrophobic this hike may not be for you as this is a very narrow canyon. The most photogenic section of the canyon is the last 30 yards, which requires some scrambling to get there. The most difficult section to negotiate is about 50 yards from the end of the canyon and is so narrow you cannot actually touch the bottom of the canyon. Instead you need to chimney or wedge yourself between the walls staying above the floor all while carrying your camera and tripod. Your camera and tripod will need to either be in front or behind you because both you and your gear will not fit through this section together.
The best time to shoot Zebra Slot Canyon is in the morning before the light hits the back wall of the canyon. If you arrive too early in the morning th light will be pretty flat since there will not be much light reflecting into the canyon. The later in the morning the more the light fills and defines the canyon.
Even if you arrive in late afternoon you will definitely need a tripod. Shutter speeds in this canyon are quite long especially since you will be using small apertures to get as much DOF as possible. The canyon is so narrow that tripod placement becomes an issue, there isn't enough space to get all of your legs firmly on the ground so you will more than likely have at least one leg on the wall itself.
Photos and words by Dylan H. Brown
Just outside of Escalante, only a short 5-mile drive down the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, tucked in the expansive sedimentary rock of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most stunning slot canyons around, Zebra Canyon.
Although there is no trailhead marker, the parking lot and trail are fairly easy to find. The parking lot is directly after the second cattle guard down the Hole-in-the-Rock rock at approximately the 5-mile mark. From there, directly across the road, the trail begins.
The first part of the hike goes through undulating rabbit brush covered sand dunes, until the trail drops into a wash. From there, the canyon deepens and about a mile into the hike, the canyon walls begin to display amazing textures. No need to rush straight to Zebra, as these canyon walls are visually appealing.
As the wash begins to widen, follow the trail to the left as it leads onto a bench. A short while later, you will come to Harris Wash (the lower part of Alvey Wash). Walk upstream to the next confluence, which will come in from your right (north). This is Zebra Canyon. Don't let the extremely wide sandy wash fool you – at the head of this wash the canyon narrows considerably, turning into the slot known as Zebra (as seen on the right).
As the canyon deepens, the walls begin to form unique textures.
Water shoes and quick-drying shorts are recommended for this hike, as it is common for Zebra to hold water late into the season.
The first couple hundred yards typically holds water late into the season, so be sure to be prepared to wade. It shouldn't be any deeper than waist high. As always, consult the visitor center in Escalante for the latest conditions: +1-435-826-5400.
The canyon will make a 90-degree turn to the right not too long after the water. This is where the canyon gets its namesake.
There are a couple pour-offs at the end of the canyon that provide a unique vantage of the canyon, but a series of potholes at the end block the exit.
As with all slot canyons, be courteous to others and leave the big, hulky backpack in the car.
This is an out-and-back hike, so to return, just retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
Photos and words by Dylan H. Brown
Just outside of Escalante, only a short 5-mile drive down the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, tucked in the expansive sedimentary rock of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most stunning slot canyons around, Zebra Canyon.
Although there is no trailhead marker, the parking lot and trail are fairly easy to find. The parking lot is directly after the second cattle guard down the Hole-in-the-Rock rock at approximately the 5-mile mark. From there, directly across the road, the trail begins.
The first part of the hike goes through undulating rabbit brush covered sand dunes, until the trail drops into a wash. From there, the canyon deepens and about a mile into the hike, the canyon walls begin to display amazing textures. No need to rush straight to Zebra, as these canyon walls are visually appealing.
As the wash begins to widen, follow the trail to the left as it leads onto a bench. A short while later, you will come to Harris Wash (the lower part of Alvey Wash). Walk upstream to the next confluence, which will come in from your right (north). This is Zebra Canyon. Don't let the extremely wide sandy wash fool you – at the head of this wash the canyon narrows considerably, turning into the slot known as Zebra (as seen on the right).
As the canyon deepens, the walls begin to form unique textures.
Water shoes and quick-drying shorts are recommended for this hike, as it is common for Zebra to hold water late into the season.
The first couple hundred yards typically holds water late into the season, so be sure to be prepared to wade. It shouldn't be any deeper than waist high. As always, consult the visitor center in Escalante for the latest conditions: +1-435-826-5400.
The canyon will make a 90-degree turn to the right not too long after the water. This is where the canyon gets its namesake.
There are a couple pour-offs at the end of the canyon that provide a unique vantage of the canyon, but a series of potholes at the end block the exit.
As with all slot canyons, be courteous to others and leave the big, hulky backpack in the car.
This is an out-and-back hike, so to return, just retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
Zebra Slot Canyon Trailhead
Zebra Canyon gets its name for this 40-foot section.
Summary:
This is a short day hike into one of the most photogenic canyons around. The initial hike-in is moderately easy and should only take a few hours maximum to reach the slot. Once the slot begins, it quickly narrows to only a couple feet wide, so be prepared to squeeze through a couple tight spots and in occasions, possibly utilizing a second person to pass a backpack. Be sure to bring at least 2 liters of water per person, as water is very scarce.
Zebra Slot Canyon Trail Map
Getting there:
From Escalante, head east down Highway 12 to the turnoff for Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Drive down Hole-in-the-Rock Road for approximately 5 miles. Park directly after the cattle guard on the right (this is the second one you will cross after turning onto the Hole-in-the-Rock Road). Cross the road and follow the trail to the slot canyon.
Sandy Brown
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