Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons

If you want to have your future slot canyon hikes spoiled, Peekaboo and Spooky slot canyons will be the hike to do just that. This loop can best be described as epic. It took us a second season of traveling to Escalante to decide to pull the trigger and tackle this. The reviews vary widely with opinions on the slot canyons, though there is a resounding ‘YES’ to trying this hike.  You will twist, turn, scrambling, crawl, scoot, climb, walk sideways, and manipulate your body through the most narrow and awkward spaces to conquer this loop.  

Narrow, narrow, narrow. At the start of the trail, there are two posts to walk through to make sure you fit between them. Go through these, I would venture to say that I felt like it was even slightly narrower than this at some of the tightest places. I would not recommend taking trekking poles in, they will only get in your way. You should still bring water with to stay hydrated, but you will need to take your pack off and hold it ahead of or behind you when you go through the narrowest portions. With our party of five, we made a bucket brigade of sorts, passing our packs up to the first person that passed through and made a pile in a wider space. 

The canyons are different from one another. The patterns and texture of the rocks, how the water shaped the canyons, the twists and turns are unique to each canyon. The time and distance passes quickly since you are planning your movements, enjoying the scrambling, and shaking your head that you can hardly believe you are squeezing through the canyon!  The only dissapointing part of the whole hike is when it is done because you want to keep doing more! It is a must-do experience and one of our favorites in all of Escalante.

Difficulty: Moderate to hard related to limited shade on the hike in and out, elevation change for getting to and from the slot canyons, entry into Peekaboo, and  scrambling once within the canyons. The largest challenge is the initial entry into Peekaboo. You will need to have the ability to complete two short climbs up with limited hand and foot holds. Help those in your party with boosts, coaching, and spotting. If you meet others at the entrance, help one another. Once you are in, minimal scrambling is needed. The descent into Spooky was not as difficulty as we anticipated. The initial descent was challenging and was more related to having to squeeze, scrunch up, and maneuver under and between boulders.  

SAFETY: This hike gets a special section. Please practice slot canyon safety and etiquette. Safety is number one, be aware of the weather. If it is raining, do not enter a slot canyon. If rain is forecasted, entering the slot canyon is at your own risk. Flash flooding is a real potential. Consider calling or stopping at the Interagency Center in Escalante. They are highly knowledgeable. It is recommended on AllTrails, as well as at the trailhead, to complete this loop in a clockwise fashion. You will go up Peekaboo, come out on top of mesa

Trail Stats: 6.1 miles, balloon loop trail, 669 elevation gain.

Trail Finding: From the Lower Dry Forks trailhead, the trail to get to the entrance of Peekaboo is generally easy to follow. Descending down to the entrance requires a bit of route finding, watch for cairns. If you look down, you can see the entrance to Peekaboo. Once you are in the slot canyons, there is only one way to go! You can also take the trail from the Upper Dry Fork trailhead. You will be able to go through the Dry Fork Narrows. However, you can still enter Dry Fork Narrows and walk as far into it as you would like when you get to the bottom of the wash after descending down from the start of Lower Dry Fork Trailhead.

Conditions: Semi packed, pebbly trail to start, descent on slick rock, then sand and rock floor within the slot canyons. Once you exit Spooky, it is sand when returning to the trail to go back to the parking lot.

Would I Repeat This: Without a hesitation, YES!

Parking: Parking is available at the Upper or Lower Dry Forks Trailhead. Getting to the trailhead requires nearly 30 miles of driving down a washboard gravel road. The level of washboard varies. Recommend a high clearance vehicle, or going slow. 

Timing: Recommend completing in the morning due to limited to no shade on the hike in and out to the entrance/exits to the canyons.

Downloaded Map: Yes for getting to the entrance to Peekaboo, though you would likely find your way there without it. 

Fees: None. You must register at the marked trailheads if you are camping in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. 

Trails: Devil’s Garden, 20 Mile Wash Dinosaur Trackway, Escalante Natural Bridge, Phipp’s Arch, Upper and Lower Calf Creek Falls.