Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons

Fall break weekend fun. We trucked it down to Slot Canyon's Inn in Escalante and had a little fun on Saturday hiking Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons about 25 miles down the Hole-in-the-Rock road just outside of Escalante. The fall weather was just perfect for hiking in the desert with a load of kids.


A short hike (about a mile or so) from the parking area is the entrance to Spooky Gulch. It may not look like much- enticing to some, frightening to others...


Just step inside for some twists and turns, tight spots and amazing beauty.


Fabulous for kids and folks who don't claim claustrophobia. If you are slightly frightened of tight spots but you still want to give it a go- throw in a piece of minty chewing gum in your mouth, it helps.


If you were just accepted to be a contestant on the next season of Biggest Loser, you might want to stay behind and count the clouds and sage brush flowers- and try to stay out of the trail mix.


At the end of Spooky Gulch we took a left and followed the fairly well traveled trail (follow the cairns) to the top of neighboring Peek-a-Boo slot canyon, probably about a half mile apart.


Peek-a-Boo is quite a bit wider than Spooky in most spots- you're not likely to get stuck, not if you've made it this far from your car on foot. There and lots of places to hide and scamper about... especially at the entrance.


A small arch you can pass through or around.


A few more arches as you work your way along- absolutely magically beautiful.


The beginning or end (depending on where you start) of Peek-a-Boo is steep and takes a bit of teamwork and spiderish manuves.
My mom (a local) said she just met the two ladies (now little old ladies) who named the canyons in their youth. After finding the canyons as kids in the 1930's they were so excited about the discovery that one of them decided to have their birthday party there. All the kids climbing and playing around gave the canyons the names they are known by today, Peek-a Boo and Spooky.