ZEBRA CANYON

Zebra Canyon contains a very colorful short slot right at its confluence with Harris Wash.  Harris Wash is accessed by going down Halfway Hollow from the Hole in the Rock Road about 7 miles out of Escalante.  These features are in the Escalante-Grand Staircase monument.  The Halfway Hollow hike is along a shallow wash and is a little boring although there are some interesting domes and water pockets along the way.

Zebra Slot is narrow, and may contain water (not deep, but you will get your boots wet).  I found it a bit of a work out to get all the way in solo, while wearing a big pack full of cameras that I didn't want to drag in the water.  With more than one person it would be easy to pass the packs along rather than scrape and slide them over the rough walls.  The fluted columns are well worth the effort, and the colors and striations change rapidly as you climb ten or twenty feet up towards to the top of the slot.  A short-legged tripod is helpful for pictures, because setting a camera up in certain areas is problematic.  The slot V's down to nothing at the bottom in places, forcing you to chimney along and perch and wedge the tripod into a crack.  Please be careful not to scratch the rock, leave aluminized scars, black rubber sole scuffs, or tripod footprints if at all possible.  Others will follow and will appreciate a pristine canyon. 

You can easily climb up on the bench to the right, before going into Zebra Slot, and work your way down to Tunnel Slot.  The bench is part of the Big Spencer Flat, which is known for its high concentrations of loose Moqui Marbles.   These small circular concretions are also prevalent in the walls of Zebra.  

Ref. with sketch map:  Kelsey, " Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau", Kelsey Publishing, 1999.  The Halfway Hollow is a little hard to find.  Kelsey's sketch isn't too hot.   Get a good topo map.  There are many sidecanyons coming into Harris Wash.  A GPS is useful to mark the return trek.

Disclaimer:  The goal of these trip notes is to suggest good photographic locations and what I consider pretty neat hikes.  These paragraphs should not be used as a canyoneering guide.  Seek out good maps and detailed information, and get properly prepared before entering any slot canyon.