From here, you can retrace your steps back through the slot canyon, or walk about 15 minutes on a flat, sandy trail to Spooky Gulch. If you are looking for a super fun hike to do, put Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch on your list. They have changed the parking and start of the trail. As you climb up Peek-A-Boo Gulch, the walls get shorter and the rock scrambling sections get easier. Peekaboo Gulch slot canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, March 2015 (Note: This is the first post in a series of three, highlighting four neighboring slot canyons—all within walking distance of the Dry Fork Trailhead in Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Distance: 3.5 miles Sunscreen. All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. When you get to the end of the slot you have a couple of options, 1) you can proceed east across the desert for about 10 minutes and find Spooky Gulch, or 2) go back through Peek-A-Boo Gulch to its entrance  and head left (east) down Dry Fork Coyote Gulch for about 15 minutes. Hiking through Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulches can be challenging in spots. Peekaboo Gulch is a small drainage - for the most part just a sandy wash, it eventually enters a half mile narrows section, very twisting and convoluted though only a few meters deep. Thank you so much for sharing them with us and with our readers! Your email address will not be published. Located Right ac. The first part of the hike involves walking down a combination of slick rock and sandy trails. At the back of the gulch, the trail climbs up onto flat ground. In some places the slot canyon is less than 18 inches wide. I don’t know how deep they are, but the water in them looks stagnant and a little gross, so don’t fall in. We had the place virtually to ourselves and it had optimal conditions – no rain in the recent week. The recommended route is to take Peek-a-boo Gulch first, going north up through its depths. I’d recommend wearing flexible clothing/pants. – We VERY much enjoy your blogs and use them extensively to plan some of our trips, so thank you for the tremendous effort you put into them! Rated 5.0 /5 based on 2 customer reviews 5.0 0.7 miles - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. I found and overland route from Peek-a-Boo canyon's exit to the entrance of Spooky Canyon at Dry Gulch. When Matt and I went three years ago, the entrance to the slot was surrounded by thick mud. Peek-a-boo Gulch is a short slot canyon in the Dry Fork area of the Grand Staircase- Escalante area, located on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, 26 miles south of the town of Escalante. If you were to go straight instead of take the curve that would turn into Hole in the Rock Road. In the town of Escalante, turn onto Hole-in-the-Rock Road and reset your odometer. Ok.. now on to why I decided to leave a comment Horses are also able to use this trail. Hole-in-the-Rock Road is a well-packed dirt and gravel road. And if you follow the Dry Fork wash to the right you will get to Spooky Gulch. From the turnoff onto Hole in the Rock Road would be a good spot to reset your trip odometer to 0. Was going to Spooky Gulch and Peek-A-Boo Gulch worth it? … Brimstone Gulch is one of the darkest slots found in the Escalante area. Tim and I hiked each slot canyon separately. So, don’t get stuck! The entrance into Spooky Canyon looks like this. I would recommend up each slot and then coming back down each slot. We did pass a road grader that had smoothed out a short section, so they might be planning on doing the entire whole road. It quickly got tight. Our group took our time, exploring and photographing the slot canyons, a full day of exploration. Peek-A-Boo is a slot and corkscrew, and Spooky Gulch is a narrow slot canyon. Season to hike – can be hiked all year long, avoid during July through August due to extreme heat and flash floods If you are in a car or low-clearance vehicle, park at the first parking area (.7 miles down the Dry Fork access road). Dry Gulch, Spooky, and Peek a Boo Slot Canyon combined for a fun, exhilarating and beautiful loop hike, our total mileage was 5.5 miles. Hello Holly. Cheers, Julie. And… just follow the cairns (piles of rocks). Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. The parking is graveled out nicely so it is passable by all vehicles. It is worth noting, due to the restrictive nature of the some of the spaces in Spooky, this … We took rope to get our kids up the initial face into picaboo and ended up helping several other groups. When the sandstone is wet and muddy, it make climbing up more challenging. If you ever go back to Utah, or if you are still there, check out Little Wild Horse Canyon. Cheers, Julie. Two natural bridges found in Peek-A-Boo Gulch. Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone gulches, are just three of the dozens found off of Hole in the Rock Road. There should be a sign after a curve to the right that says Hole in the Rock Road. Hiking Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons is basically a loop between the two canyons. A short slot canyon in the Dry Fork area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, the Peek-a-boo Gulch area is famous for its last one hundred meters. This slot canyon is so narrow at times that it made Tim and I a little anxious, and we never have issues with claustrophobia. It is beautiful in here, and it’s also a lot cooler than in the sunny Dry Fork canyon. The climb has carved steps but is still a little tricky. The dirt road starts heading east and after about 0.7 miles it forks. Shortly after heading to Brimstone, Dry Fork Coyote Gulch will slot up and you’ll need to navigate around a choke stone. The trail is not really long but it is a fun area to explore. Thank you for these great updates!! So, that’s why it’s called Peek-A-Boo Gulch! Walking Spooky Gulch was like being underground. Happy Travels! You can even look down into the narrow slot canyon. From here you will head southeast on the unpaved Hole in the Rock Road for 26 miles (42 km). The road will head in a southeastern direction. Enjoy the journey through Peek-A-Boo. Elevation at Spooky Gulch – 4640 feet Hiking Shoes. Just their names make this hike sound enticing. Peek-A-Boo Gulch has several sections of challenging rock scrambling, including a 12 foot climb just to enter the canyon. Facts About the Hike. The canyons are beautiful. We were lucky during our visit in that we were the only ones in Spooky Gulch. From Escalante, Utah, take the main road, Highway 12, east through Escalante. https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/slot-canyons/peek-a-boo-spooky-gulch Located 78 miles east-northeast of Kanab Utah. Of all the slot canyons described in this post, Dry Fork Narrows is the widest, and is quite long, however, I find it as the least amazing of the four slot canyons. Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone gulches, are just three of the dozens found off of Hole in the Rock Road. Always let people know where you are beforehand. The slot is extremely tight, and I found that it is wider along the bottom of the slot to squeeze through if you have problems. Now with that said… do make sure that it WILL NOT RAIN, otherwise you will be in big trouble as the sandy parts would quickly become muddy and unpassable with a sedan. Due to Antelope’s closure, these were our alternatives and now I have no desire to do Antelope. Turn left off of Hwy 12 here. Remember that these are narrow slot canyons, and if there is any sign of rain, stay out. Peek-A-Boo is in my top 3 favorite hikes. It was my favorite slot of the three, and I encourage you to hike to the end of the slot, where there is a rockfall that blocks further progress for most people. Elevation at the trailhead – 4960 feet It’s more fun that way, you’ll notice new things you didn’t see the first time. Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon: Which One Should You Choose? If doing this in conjunction with the peek-a-boo canyon, I recommend doing that one first and hike the route clockwise. This is Peek-a-Boo Slot, the prettiest of the Dry Fork Slots (I’ll explain that in a minute). Comment below! It … The trail to Spooky Gulch and Peek-A-Boo Gulch starts at the main car park. Learn more in our Utah’s Mighty 5 Travel Guide and Road Trip Itinerary. Difficulty – Moderate, extremely confined spaces, if claustrophobic best to avoid. Elevation at Peek-A-Boo Gulch – 4720 feet Read all of our articles in our. If you’ve seen 127 Hours, just know that it could end up exactly like that. From here, you will have to walk 1 mile to the trailhead. There is one boulder choke obstacle in the Spooky slot and no rope to assist when I went (Nov 2020). Planning a trip through the United States? The only difficult part is having to climb up into Peek-a-Boo. The trailhead is located on Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Dry Fork Coyote Gulch runs generally runs southeast, which runs from left to right as you look out above from the parking area. After enjoying both Peek-A-Boo and Spooky, you can decide to head farther down the Dry Fork Coyote Gulch to Brimstone, or retrace your steps back to the trailhead. Kanab's Peek-a-Book Canyon is an awesome slot canyon that's easy to hike too and not as crowded as other in major parks. Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulch are three of the best little cracks in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Hello Kerry. Peek-a-Boo Gulch/Canyon. Amount of water recommended – 2-3 liters Adam is an experienced hiker and canyoneer, who has visited some of the most breathtaking and remote places in the United States. 7.7 mi from Peek-A … It was dark, a … It is my #1 destination when planning trips! Peek-A-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulch are three of the best little cracks in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Happy hiking and happy travels! This is another slot canyon but it is much wider that Spooky Gulch and rather unexciting after Peek-A-Boo Gulch. At the bottom turn right, and find Peek-a-boo coming in 4 minutes down the canyon on the left. Kanab's Peek-a-Book Canyon is an awesome slot canyon that's easy to hike too and not as crowded as other in major parks. Enjoy the Fresh air and Beautiful Views From the Sunroom of This pet Friendly Home! Do your homework before attempting this one. Important Update for 2020: One of our readers informed us that the trail can only be hiked in a clockwise direction (read the comments below for more information). Do you have any advice for our readers? This is right at the entrance. Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. When I hiked through Brimstone is was about 90 degrees outside, however, once inside the slot canyon, temperatures dropped into the the upper 40’s, and was extremely dark and wet. If you like this hike, you’ll LOVE Little Wild Horse Canyon, which is in Utah, between Capitol Reef National Park and Moab. I am 6’1, 175lbs, and it was a VERY tight squeeze for me in some parts. Make sure you follow the rock cairns (the stacked piles of stones). It has been the highlight of our trip! Distance – 4.8 miles round trip Peek-a-Boo will be the first canyon on the left. Located along Hole in the Rock Road just southeast of Escalante, Utah, are some of the finest slot canyons in the world. Difficulty: The trail to the slot canyons is easy to moderate. Peek-a-boo Gulch is a 2 mile one way hike with 600 feet accumulated elevation gain. From this point,  just turn around and return the way you came, and enjoy Spooky Gulch some more! A short rope for a handline may be useful for beginners. This is the real deal. With an outstanding selection, easy-to-use search tools and descriptive hotel profiles, you'll find Peek-A-Boo Gulch hotel deals in a wink.. Great selection of hotels in Peek-A-Boo Gulch. Explore Kanab's Peek-a-Boo Canyon. The route has a well maintained cairn rockpile system to help you navigate from the parking lot to the slot entrance. Save up to 10% on select Secret Bargain hotels. A Quick Visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park, 8 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest, How to Hike Zebra Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante, 10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip. Au mile 26 (N37°27'59.754" W111°13'26.161"), tournez à gauche sur la BLM252. This will take you 1.7 miles to the trailhead. Hi! Absolutely, but be smart about it. If doing this in conjunction with the peek-a-boo canyon, I recommend doing that one first and hike the route clockwise. I wanted to make sure that other readers and travelers know that the road is definitely not as scary as (in my opinion) others make it sound. You might be able to crouch down and slide through the lower part of the slot canyon. BLM recommends 4 liters of water per person. As the founder of www.yourhikeguide.com, his goal is to educate others on the joys of hiking. He was alive, but very dehydrated and cold. After reading comments on other websites, travel blogs, and even here, I was very hesitant to take our rental sedan. Spooky Gulch is one of the narrowest slot canyons around, only 10 inches wide in some spots! Elevation at Brimstone Gulch – 4580 feet I would recommend leaving you backpacks outside of Spooky Gulch because it is that tight of a squeeze. Absolutely, but be smart about it. Cheers, Julie. Length 6.1 miElevation gain 662 ftRoute type Loop. As you follow the trail down from the trailhead, the path will be marked with cairns as you cross over the slickrock and sand, and after about 20 minutes of easy downhill walking you’ll find yourself down in the Dry Fork Coyote wash. Look off to the left, and you’ll see the entrance of Dry Fork Narrows. The hole in the rock road has a lot of washboard but no clearance or other problem areas. Your blog has been an invaluable source of information & inspiration! You can identify Peek-A-Boo by the stacked rocks and the hand and footholds carved into the sandstone in order to climb up into the canyon. If you are looking for a slot canyon adventure, or perhaps putting together a bucket list of “must-see” places, these should be near the top. Thank you so much for your very kind words. Take a minute to appreciate the power of water, as it has carved all the amazing swirls and bends of this magnificent slot canyon. These slot canyons are located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Absolutely amazing! From the entrance of Peek-A-Boo slot canyon, it is about a 10 minute walk down the Dry Fork wash to get to Spooky Gulch. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, and check the weather before you head out. Do not go hiking alone. This is the view from the trailhead. Hello Michaelle. Hiking each slot canyon out and back is a little more fun, because you get to do them twice. SUV’s and 4×4’s can continue 1 mile on a very rough road to the final car park. With that being said, I would still recommend spending some time exploring it if you have the time. These slot canyons started as mere cracks and fissures in the sandstone, but over time, flash floods ripped into the cracks, creating the amazing and serpentine slot canyons that we now enjoy. Follow Hwy 12 for five miles, and as the highway makes a left curve, the unpaved Hole in the Rock Road will be on the right side of the road. While you won’t see everything, you will have made a good start. It’s very similar and just a few hours away. However, if you are short on time or like the idea of doing one big loop, consider linking them together. It is not to be confused with Red Slot Canyon AKA Peekaboo. Hike Zebra Slot Canyon, 19 miles northwest on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, a 40-minute drive back towards Escalante. Added by Prajit Ravindran. Cette petite piste n'est pas très bien carrossable, avec des zones assez sableuses et une derni… Spooky Gulch is a short slot canyon hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, located on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, 26 miles south of the town of Escalante. Towards the back of the canyon you will reach a dryfall of rock. Julie Last updated: December 4, 2020 United States 33 Comments. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We had 4×4 and made it just fine, but the condition is pretty rough right now. Plus, they are both very short (only about a quarter mile long) so it doesn’t add much time to retrace your steps. There is a story of a photographer that entered into Brimstone by himself on a weekend and got stuck in the slot, and he wasn’t found until the next weekend by a couple of hikers. Brimstone Gulch may be one of the darkest slots you’ll find. There is a photo of Tim in the narrowest section, so you can get an idea of what it is like, and might be able to tell how wide it is at the bottom. As you continue in farther into the slot, the walls will tighten up to the point that you will leave the slot and continue down the the walls will become more shallow and you’ll find that you’ll exit the slot, walk along the top of Peek-A-Boo, and then drop back into the slot until it ends in a sandy wash. This is very challenging to climb. You can get by with a good pair of running shoes, but hiking shoes will give you more traction when rock scrambling through Peek-A-Boo Gulch. It is not to be confused with Red Slot Canyon AKA Peekaboo. However, Peek-a-Boo may not be the easiest canyon to spot because it actually begins about 10 feet (3 m) up on the rock face. Once you leave the slot, it’s about a 2.6 mile hike from the narrow part of Brimstone back to the trailhead at the parking lot. 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