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Zebra Canyon

Escalante beta posted by Bill
  • The Hype

    Zebra Canyon has a very short slot that's one of the most visually stunning around. The unmarked but well defined trail has very little elevation gain/loss and no shade so you may want to avoid this canyon on very hot days. Zebra has been known to retain a potentially large pool on the lower end so if you plan on packing camera gear be prepared to keep it dry. There is no water on this route to pack plenty. Zebra may be very short slot but its part of a very large drainage so you must be aware of the weather before entering the slot.

    Getting There

    Access Road: 37.727654,-111.531487
    The Zebra Slot trailhead is accessed by traveling approximately 5 miles south of Escalante on the Hole In The Rock Road. This road is passable to passenger cars but can have plenty of washboards.

    From the Trailhead: 37.639445,-111.445613
    The trail head is a unmarked small dirt parking lot along side a fence and cattle guard. After parking cross the road to the east and follow the well defined hikers trail down into the Half Way Hollow drainage.

    37.651149,-111.427175
    After passing the cattle fence in the narrowest part of Half Way hollow watch for a hikers trail to emerge out of the wash on the left (north) side. This path give you more direct access to Zebra. Soon you will reach a very wide and sandy Harris wash, head north and when the wash splits take a right and go directly to Zebra Canyon.

    The Canyon - Rating: 2A II   Longest Rap: 0'   # of Raps: 0

    The mouth of Zebra may contain a pool of water so be prepared to wade though it. The narrows start out around 20' wide and quickly slot up. 2/3's of the way into the slot there is a pinch that will require us larger folks to suck it up in order to pass this short section of the slot. Having a second person to pass packs is very helpful here. Around the next bend you will find the goods. The slot dead ends at a dry fall that is climbable but a series of potholes block any hope of exit out this end.

    If you have time its fairly interesting to scramble around to the top and view Zebra slot from above. From the entrance look north to the slick rock dome here 37.660775,-111.417412 and scramble up and along the rim of the canyon. At the head of the slot 37.662563,-111.416964 there a few interesting potholes filled with moki marbles.

    Skills required: Hiking, Navigation

    Rappels: 0
    There are no rappels in Zebra Slot, but in theory you could approach the head of the canyon and rappel into the narrows.

    Water
    The mouth of Zebra may contain a pool of water so be prepared to wade through it. Conditions vary wildly on depth and length of this pool. There is no drinking water, so take plenty

    Gear Recommendations
    Camera, Hiking Gear, Map and Compass

    Flash Flood Danger: Low

    The Exit

    This is an out and back hike following the same route both directions.

    Red Tape

    Zebra Slot is located in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and there are currently no restrictions on visiting. Please take only pictures, leave only footprints.
  • Access Road: 37.727654,-111.531487
    The Zebra Slot trailhead is accessed by traveling approximately 5 miles south of Escalante on the Hole In The Rock Road. This road is passable to passenger cars but can have plenty of washboards.

    From the Trailhead: 37.639445,-111.445613
    The trail head is a unmarked small dirt parking lot along side a fence and cattle guard. After parking cross the road to the east and follow the well defined hikers trail down into the Half Way Hollow drainage.

    37.651149,-111.427175
    After passing the cattle fence in the narrowest part of Half Way hollow watch for a hikers trail to emerge out of the wash on the left (north) side. This path give you more direct access to Zebra. Soon you will reach a very wide and sandy Harris wash, head north and when the wash splits take a right and go directly to Zebra Canyon.
  • The mouth of Zebra may contain a pool of water so be prepared to wade though it. The narrows start out around 20' wide and quickly slot up. 2/3's of the way into the slot there is a pinch that will require us larger folks to suck it up in order to pass this short section of the slot. Having a second person to pass packs is very helpful here. Around the next bend you will find the goods. The slot dead ends at a dry fall that is climbable but a series of potholes block any hope of exit out this end.

    If you have time its fairly interesting to scramble around to the top and view Zebra slot from above. From the entrance look north to the slick rock dome here 37.660775,-111.417412 and scramble up and along the rim of the canyon. At the head of the slot 37.662563,-111.416964 there a few interesting potholes filled with moki marbles.

    Skills required: Hiking, Navigation

    Rappels: 0
    There are no rappels in Zebra Slot, but in theory you could approach the head of the canyon and rappel into the narrows.

    Water
    The mouth of Zebra may contain a pool of water so be prepared to wade through it. Conditions vary wildly on depth and length of this pool. There is no drinking water, so take plenty

    Gear Recommendations
    Camera, Hiking Gear, Map and Compass

    Flash Flood Danger: Low
  • This is an out and back hike following the same route both directions.
  • Zebra Slot is located in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and there are currently no restrictions on visiting. Please take only pictures, leave only footprints.
TannerT likes this.

Condition Reports for Zebra Canyon

  1. wisconnyjohnny
    September 02, 2018
    wisconnyjohnny

    Difficulty:

    Moderate

    Skill Level:

    Intermediate

    Water:

    Deep (waist to chest)

    Thermal:

    None

    Group Size:

    1 people

    Total Time:

    1 hour 4 hours


    Set up rap RDC off fence post. 67 ft to canyon floor. Drops you into the zebra part of canyon. Neck deep water on exit.

    Posted Sep 3, 2018
  2. wisconnyjohnny
    November 10, 2016
    wisconnyjohnny

    Difficulty:

    Moderate

    Skill Level:

    Beginner

    Water:

    Deep (waist to chest)

    Thermal:

    1-3mm wetsuit

    Group Size:

    3 people

    Total Time:

    1 hour 3 hours


    Last time I went to Zebra on November 10th it had cold water waist deep for the first 500 feet. In September when i went it was over head high water. I actually turned back. In january a gentleman tried to raft into it and that didn't work. At least waist high water. This weekend it rained so expect over waist high water as of 2/21/2017. Cold as ice.!!!! Video from November hike

    Posted Feb 21, 2017
The information provided here is intended for entertainment purposes only. The creator of this information and/or Canyon Collective are not liable for any harm or damage caused by this information. Conditions in the backcountry are constantly changing, only you are responsible for your safety and well being.