Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyons

Kane County, Utah

4.7/5
based on 13 reviews

Details

Distance

5.44 miles

Elevation Gain

584 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Rebecca Stubbs

Explore 2 slot canyons in 1 hike. There is a little scrambling and climbing on this loop.

This hike is located in the Grand-Staircase-Escalante Monument and the nearest town is Escalante, Utah. From Escalante, you take Hole-in-the-Rock Road 26 miles to the Dry Fork road turn-off. The Hole-in-the-Rock road It is a dirt road, and while I did see some sedans and minivans, I suggest a vehicle with higher clearance/ 4-wheel drive. If you do not have a high clearance vehicle, it will just add an extra mile or so each way onto your hike because you will not be able go that last mile after you turn off the Hole-in-the-Rock Road.

This adventure is great because you get to explore 2 stunning slot canyons in one hike! It is a loop so you go up one canyon and down the other. I highly suggest going up Peek-a-boo and then down Spooky. The obstacles in these canyons are easier when done in this direction. These canyons provide a great introduction to canyoneering. They are not too technical as there is no need for ropes. Pools of water are a possibility, however it was dry when I was there in May even with rain the day before. There will be some scrambling/climbing required and places where you need to take off your pack and turn sideways in order to fit through narrow passages. If you are claustrophobic this hike would not be for you!

From the parking lot there is a 3/4 mile hike across slick rock and sand to descend into the wash where the canyons are located. The trail will lead you straight to the start of peekaboo canyon which begins with a 15ish foot wall with hand/foot holes to get you up into the canyon. After that you follow the canyon up to the top, follow the cairns across the plateau for about 1/2 mile and you will be led right to the top of spooky canyon. Then you just go down this canyon, follow the wash back to the start of peek-a-boo and then follow the same trail that you came in on back to the parking lot.

The loop hike takes around 3 hours for the average hiker. If you really wanted to, you could do one without the other, just go up one and back down, but the canyons are so drastically different from each other, I highly recommend doing the loop and seeing both of them! Peek-a-boo is smooth sandstone with arches, and large "bowls" that you have to climb up and over whereas Spooky is narrow, with an area of rock falls that you need to "chimney down" and the walls are very bumpy.

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Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyons Reviews

Start at peekaboo and end with spooky. This is because it is easier going down the rope in Spooky after you finish with peekaboo than going to opposite direction and climbing up the rope. Bring a small pack with water. Nothing too bulky as the slots in spooky get very narrow in one section. Be sure to follow the cairns in between both slots canyons to find your way. Watch out for snakes on your walk to the location. Depending on when the road was last graded the drive can be a bit rough but it's passable in most vehicles. After the hike be sure to get the best slice of pizza you will ever eat in town at The Outfitters.

Start at upper dry fork canyon parking lot for an adventure down another cool/wider slot canyon on your way to peekaboo! If you want to do spooky, make sure you fit through the polls by the bathroom at the trailhead, it gets tight. Peekaboo is a great one and dog friendly… but make sure your dog is used to rock climbing/letting you help them. The entrance is rough with a dog and there are a couple hard places inside. There is also a go around (follow the carins and foot prints) if you don’t want to do spooky.

Thank you for the nice and detailed description of the trail !

Exploring two slot canyons in one hike was cool. I scrambled and climbed a little bit on this 3.5-mile loop.

Both of these slot canyon are worth exploring and each have their own characteristics! But we had a little trouble finding Peekaboo and ended up at Spooky first. To do the loop make sure to head left/down right after the trail starts! We ended up following the cairns straight and ended up in a wash farther down the canyon. I would also recommend searching for the GPS coordinates so you don't miss the entrances.

Many people avoid entering Peek-A-Boo slot canyon because of the daunting 15 foot vertical wall that must be climbed to get into the slot, or water in front of of the wall. Rightly so! With no rock climbing experience, this can be a frightening and dangerous venture. My last trip I found a solution to avoid the wall! Facing the wall, look to the left. There is a sand dune that runs along the side of the wall. You will see an unmarked social trail ascending the sand dune and appears to wander away from the slot. Continue following this social trail until you are at a high point and can see a trail leading back toward the direction of the slot canyon. The trail is marked with cairns above the sand dune. This will lead directly back to the slot at a point that is easily down climbed. Once in the slot you can explore to the right which leads back to the wall you by-passed. That direction has several potholes, usually filled with water and several small arches stretching over the slot. To the left, the slot is easier with hardly any climbing and not very deep. You eventually exit the slot after a short distance.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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