Clear creek water begins to turn brown and muddy.

Rainwater collects from the non-absorbent plateau and drains into these canyons creating an instantaneous wall of water.ĭO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON IF IT IS RAINING, IF IT HAS RAINED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS OR IF RAIN IS FORECASTED. Much like a giant, bloodthirsty sandworm, flash floods can sneak up on you quick. (There’s one near Zion called Fat Man’s Misery.) Another benefit, among many, is that their unique shape and basic astrophysics means slot canyons are shady all but a few minutes a day, making them a pleasant respite from the relentless summer sun!Ī word to the wise: Slot canyons can be as dangerous as they are beautiful, much like Kevin Bacon. Carved by wind, water and dinosaur tears, slot canyons can be hundreds of feet deep and so narrow you have to cram yourself through sideways. Slot canyons are nice because you don’t have to make very many decisions in them. Some are deep, some are wide, some are wet and some are dry, but none of them will shove tiny glass shards in your texting fingers. Southern Utah has more tiny, narrow cracks than a shattered iPhone screen. “Should I hike a slot canyon this year?” That one is simple: Yes! “Should I get a turtle or a dirtbike?” Could go either way. Making decisions is hard, #amirite? There are so many choices in this modern world! “Should I diversify my IRA or bury it in the backyard?” Depends on your short-term goals.

Big water ut to zebra slot canyon