Tunnel Slot Escalante

Explore the hidden wonders of the epic Grand Staircase Escalante drive with a self-guided audio tour. Drive along the Hogback (the ridgeline), learn about the hidden mysteries of this giant geologic staircase, and discover the long-buried secrets of the Fremont and Puebloans. As an added bonus visit the nearby Tunnel Slot. The “tunnel” is a long narrow slot over 200-ft. Long that is usually filled with water. Much of this route is exposed with little or no shade. Be sure to carry plenty of water. The reason this is called Tunnel Slot is because the canyon narrows to a narrow oval shape that you need to walk through. The problem is that this is usually filled up with water that can be at least up to the top of your legs. This is a difficult loop trail to Tunnel Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This trail goes by Zebra Slot Canyon.

Tunnel Slot Canyon Escalante
Tunnel Slot Escalante

NOVEMBER 2008, NOVEMBER 2012 & NOVEMBER 2018

ZEBRA SLOT

NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO ZEBRA SLOT

ENTRANCE TO ZEBRA SLOT

BEHIND TUNNEL SLOT

ENTRANCE TO TUNNEL SLOT

TUNNEL SLOT IN NOVEMBER 2012

Zebra and Tunnel Slots are reached via a 7.8 mile drive down Hole-in-the-Rock Road from highway 12. At 7.8 miles, you will come to a cattle guard crossing over the road. There is no signage, but just pull off into the parking lot on the side of the road. From here you will cross the road and follow the trail on the other side. When I first hiked this trail in 2008, there was no parking area or trail. As happens, once a spot becomes popular enough, the BLM will step in a make a parking area and trail so people don't get lost trying to find it, and so a spiderweb of trails doesn't form across the desert from people trying to find their own way. Continue following the trail for about two miles until it runs into Harris Wash. Harris Wash is very large, and you will know when you reach it.

When I was here last in November, 2018, there was a pretty well marked trail leading across Harris Wash to the entrance of Zebra Slot, about a quarter-mile away. On my previous two visits, it took a little bit of work to find the entrance. Zebra is a short, but fun slot canyon to hike up. It is very narrow in parts and requires a tiny bit of scrambling before if eventually ends at a large dry fall.

If you are interested in seeing Tunnel, go back to Harris Wash, take a left, and follow it about a half-mile or so to a small wash coming off to your left. Follow this about a quarter-mile and it will take you to Tunnel Slot. This is a nice, short slot that really does look and feel like a tunnel. It was completely dry when I was there in November of 2008, but when I returned in November of 2012, it was filled with chest-deep water. I was able to chimney almost the entire way through until the walls got too far apart at the end. It was pretty cold, so I decided not to go in the water.

Zebra Slot Canyon and Tunnel Canyon are two classic and easily accessed canyons of the vast canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante. In spite of their notoriety, the canyons are still difficult to hike and require careful planning.

After visiting the 'top of Grand Staircase', I briefly visited Bryce Canyon, then made my way to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I've peaked into this place before but this trip was an all out bash. Staying in Escalante area for 2 days, I made the arduous trek down Hole-in-the-Rock Road and started canyoning.

Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyon Overviews

Zebra Slot Canyon is likely the most famous in this area. Its striated walls create marvelous photography opportunities. Plus, its only an 8.0 mile drive South on a relatively good section of Hole-in-the-Rock Road from where it leaves UT-12 near Escalante. From there, its about a 2.5 mile (one way) hike across the desert along a herd path to the canyon. Adding Tunnel Slot Canyon from Zebra makes it a 7.1 mile (total distance) hike which most do in about three quarters of a day.

Here's an area map:

Hike to Zebra Slot Canyon

From Utah Route 12 near Escalante, drive to the well marked turnoff for Hole-in-the-Rock Road and set your odometer to Zero. For 8.0 miles, the road is in relatively good quality as of June 2019. There's definitely some tedious washboard sections but nothing that would prevent a normal-clearance car from making it to the trailhead. Whenever it gets wet or muddy, avoid the road in any vehicle. The trailhead is just after a cattle guard and on the right. It is unmarked but most days you'll find at least a few cars at the trailhead. Park on the right if coming from Escalante.

Cross the road to the Northeast side of Hole in the Rock Road and look for a fairly well-trod path. I didn't see any specific signs for the canyon but the trail was easily followed.

I brought a GPS for extra comfort which came in handy. The trail remains unmarked and there's several side trails that are a bit confusing. I redirected a few lost tourists! Nevertheless, I followed the path of least resistance over the desert for 2.0 miles to the large and dry Harris Wash (its obvious). As of June 2019, there was a cairn which marked the junction to Zebra Slot and Tunnel Slot. I took a left at this cairn, followed the herd path into Harris Wash and up the wash for about 1/4th of a mile until I saw the obvious entrance to Zebra Canyon. If you find yourself walking more than 20 minutes up the wash and haven't found the entrance to Zebra Canyon, you've probably gone to far

During this very dry day, I found innumerable footprints leading to the canyon's entrance. Once it slotted up, I dropped my pack as the canyon gets very, very narrow from here.

Into Zebra

Zebra Canyon is the quintessential slot canyon. Its gets so narrow that even a skinny guy like me was just barely getting by. A wide day certainly wouldn't fit. Like many slot canyons, it was waist deep in water even though no major storms had passed the area in several days. The ranger station at Escalante kept me updated on water levels in the canyon.

The canyon lived up to its name with incredibly artistic furrows throughout my slither. Some sections required some scrambling; not difficult by rock-climbing standards but they were enough to make a less inclined person nervous.

Deep in the back of the canyon I encountered a few dead birds which is also normal for slot canyons. Nevertheless, the steep and deep walls continued to amaze.

It took about an hour to get to the entrance and I took another hour exploring Zebra before coming to an impassable section and I turned around. Zebra was a bit busy even on a weekday which made passing other groups tedious. I wished I went earlier.

Entrance of Zebra canyon to entrance of Tunnel Canyon

Tunnel Slot Canyon isn't nearly as photogenic as Zebra Canyon but since its only 1.3 miles away, I made the side trip. Back out on Harris Wash, I followed it down roughly 0.8 miles to a herd path with cairns to Tunnel Slot. This was a hot and exposed section and I'm glad I brought abundant water.

Tunnel Slot Canyon Escalante

After finding the side trail, Tunnel canyon quickly came into view and I was at the entrance in less than 1 hour after departing from Zebra Canyon.

Tunnel Canyon is shorter, not as narrow but much darker than Zebra. Even in the midday sun, I felt a flashlight was necessary. I walked through the thigh deep water and meandered through this alluring slot. There's some really neat opportunities for low light photography.

Unlike Zebra Canyon's abrupt terminous, Tunnel Canyon is 2-way so I hiked all the way to the exit. I expected there was more when I departed from the exit. There's a four way intersection of other narrow canyons but nothing like a slot so I returned the same way I came.

Return to Trailhead

Tunnel Slot Escalante

There's not a lot to say about the return trip other than it was very hot and very hard to follow. Zebra and Tunnel Canyons are easy by hiking and canyoneering standards but make no mistake, its easy to get lost out here even with experience. I found my GPS absolutely essential on the return trip.