Tunnel Slot
To Zebra Canyon
Upper Tunnel Slot Canyon is a contorted sandstone maze, seemingly unable to make up its mind. Reminiscent of The Wave down near Buckskin Gulch ⇔ Heading back down beside the deep wash. 2.3.1 The 'Tunnel' Restoration 34. 2.3.2 The Proximal 'Slot' Preparation 34. 2.3.3 Traditional Cavity Preparation 35. 2.3.4 The Repaired Amalgam Restoration 37. 2.3.5 Cavity Preparations Involving Three or More Surfaces 37. 2.3.6 Treatment of the Large Carious Lesion 38. 2.3.7 The Use of Calcium Hydroxide in Direct Pulp Capping 40. By using a proven racing design - the tunnel hull - and by adding a new wrinkle, this boat's tunnel which is actually a 'tunnel slot', as described by designer Ken Hankinson because it is proportionately narrower (in comparison to the beam) than those employed on its competition-bred cousins. Tunnel Slot, as the name implies, is a short section of slot resembling a tunnel. Bring your camera and the kids, this is a great family outing. The hike is reasonably short, with straightforward navigation. Though it can be brutally hot in the summer, it is still do-able with an early morning start or visiting in the evening.
Distance from Trailhead: 5.3 miles (round trip)
Ending/Highest Elevation: 5,125-ft.
Elevation Gain: -225-ft.
Note: This is an unmarked route. Make note of landmarks as you hike to facilitate finding your way back to the trailhead.
The route to Zebra Canyon starts 8.0 miles down the Hole in the Rock Road. (See driving directions below). From the parking area near the cattle guard, cross to the east side of the road and follow a boot beaten path east through scrub growth and junipers with distant views of Red Breaks. At 0.6 miles the route intersects the wash of Halfway Hollow. Initially the route does not travel in the sandy wash but instead periodically cuts across the wash and then traverses the adjacent benches to cut off meanders and walk along packed sand paths.
After walking a little over a mile Halfway Hollow starts looking less like a draw and more like a real canyon with sculpted sandstone walls. Watch for the boot beaten path that exits the wash at 1.5 miles. The trail now follows an ascending traverse along the north bench. The route reaches the high point on the bench at 1.9 miles. Here views extend east/northeast to the sandstone walls and formations along Harris Wash.
Descend the bench and reach Harris Wash at 2.0 miles. (Turn around and make note of the visible landmarks so you do not miss this turn on the return leg of the hike.) Turn left (northeast) and hike up the wide wash. The going is slow as you slog through the deep sandy wash.
Walk at tenth of a mile to a fork. Here Harris Wash curves left (northwest). We stay right and head into a side drainage. In a short distance a boot beaten path exists the wash and travels along the right (east) bench where the walking is considerably easier.
Tunnel Slot
Travel along the side drainage for 0.4 miles. Soon you will see a narrow opening at the end of the drainage. This is Zebra Canyon. The canyon is short and quickly narrows. It is best to leave your backpack at the entrance to the slot. In places you will need to scramble over obstacles to work your way further up the canyon. The slot ends in about 0.25 miles at an impassable pour-off.
Tunnel Slot Canyon
Nature’s artistry is finely displayed in this stunning slot. The further you go up the canyon the better it gets. The walls are decorated with intricate patterns of pink and white stripes. Wind and water have sculpted the walls into undulating surfaces. Cross cuts in the rock face twist and bend the patterns.
Tunnel Slot Canyon
After exploring the slot retrace your steps to Harris Wash. If time and energy permits I suggest taking a side trip to Tunnel Slot.