Photo Friday: Zebra and Tunnel Slots, again

I've been there four times now, and probably shared photos each time, but I can never get too much of these twisting and narrow slot canyons. You'll have to put up with the repetition!

In four visits, this was not only the first time the slot has been dry, but the first time it's had anything less than chest-deep pools of cold, murky water. It's more pleasant without the wet.

A hike of just under 3 miles takes you into the wash and across to the opening to Zebra slot. A close eye on the weather is essential here--rain anywhere in the area could result in a flash flood through the slot, and that would be... bad. It would be bad, also, to do this in the heat of a summer day, as the climb back up to the car is hot and exposed. We found it so even at noon on a comparatively cool April day (the wind was no fun, either).

Once, long ago, there were sand dunes.

Zebra is a popular hike, so it's easy to follow the trail and the footprints to the opening.
 

On other visits, this part has been under water.

The canyon narrows rapidly, until you have to leave your pack and sidle along carefully.  I ditched hat and sunglasses, too, as they were a hinderence, not a help, in the dim slot.

My trail buddies begin questioning their breakfast choices.

 

 

In past years, I'd had to bridge above some of the pools, but it turns out it wasn't just the water. Some stretches are just too narrow at the bottom for... my bottom?  (Or even for my shoes!)

The author goes high. Failure to remove my phone from my back pocket resulted in a shredded pocket.

 

The whole slot is pretty cool, but if you get past a couple of tricky bits (I like a spotter for those), you get to the reason for the name. Stripes in the rock like a horizontal zebra, if ever a zebra was pink and white.

This is my favorite perspective on Zebra, based on how many times I've taken this photo!

 

A mile of easy walking (with some attention to route) takes you across the slickrock to Tunnel Slot.

Petrified sand dunes and a scattering of Moqui Marbles.

The route is easy as long as you drop into the canyon at the right spot.

Tunnel Slot really is a tunnel. It was also the only place we found a pool of water (zero exposure to the sun to either warm or evaporate it!). It was about 2 strides across and ankle deep--just enough to wet the boots. I kind of wished I'd gone barefoot, as did one of my companions, but boots dry fast out there, so no big deal. Some people do the hikes in water shoes or sandals, but that's not an option for me. I also find that boots or climbing shoes are more than helpful in getting to the end of Zebra.

Wading the pool

At the exit--cool in here, hot out there.

Hope you enjoyed this first episode of "Rebecca in the Canyon Country, 2025." There's a lot more to come, including some brand new territory for me.

 

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025   
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.


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