Hiking Southern Utah: Zebra and Tunnel Canyons
Trail: Zebra and Tunnel Canyons
Location: Escalante river country
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4-5 miles from the trailhead to both canyons and back.
Average time: 6-8 hours
Total elevation: Elevation loss on the way to Zebra Canyon is 250’
Family-friendly: Yes. This hike makes a great family day hike.
Access: Drive east out of Escalante about 5 miles on Highway 12 and turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road. Go down Hole in the Rock Road 7.76 miles to where it crosses a cattle guard. Parking is on the right.
The trail: Cross the road to find the well-traveled trail near the cattle guard. Follow the defined path as it meanders its way down to Halfway Hollow. There are plenty of cairns to mark the way. It takes approximately 40-50 minutes to reach Halfway Hollow. Follow the trail as it cuts left and heads directly for Zebra canyon. Follow it, crossing Harris Wash, and head for the first obvious side canyon.
The mouth of Zebra Canyon is wide upon entry but soon narrows. You may encounter some pools, especially if the area recently had rain. In this case, take socks off, and leave shoes on to wade through the pools. You may see some frogs swim by.
After about 15 minutes of traipsing along, you will experience the glory of this short but memorable canyon, where the path begins to zig-zag, and the pink, zebra-striped sandstone walls illustrate its name. You will reach a dry fall that you can scramble up. If you choose to continue, you will reach a large pothole. Once you have reached this point, turn around and go back out the way you came.
To reach Tunnel Canyon, go back down Harris Wash a little less than a mile (20-30 minutes) from Zebra Canyon to the first side canyon you come to on the left. Walk up this side canyon for about ten minutes to reach Tunnel Canyon, a short canyon which almost always has at least knee-deep water in it. When you go through the tunnel, keep going—you may run into a pool on the other side. Turn back around and go back the way you came to exit the canyon.
Return up Harris Wash to Halfway Hollow and follow the trail back to the trailhead.
As always, pack a camera, plenty of water, and snacks. This hike can be too hot in the summer months. Late spring and early fall are the best times to plan for this hike.
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