Spooky Gulch and Peek A Boo Slot Canyons - Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah
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- Опубліковано 9 сер 2020
- Spooky Gulch and Peek A Boo Slot Canyons - Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah
Hole in the Rock Road outside of Escalante, Utah is one of the best places I've found when it comes to the sheer volume of things you can do. Zebra Slot Canyon, Devil's Garden, Coyote Gulch, Reflection Canyon, Willis Creek and many, many more.
One of the most fun trips off Hole in the Rock Road is the Spooky Gulch & Peek-A-Boo Canyon loop. It's a short hike that offers a lot of fun and diversity. Peek-A-Boo is a beautiful red rock slot canyon, complete with a double arch and other fun formations. After a short hike through Peek-A-Boo, you walk overland and drop into Spooky Gulch. Spooky Gulch, by contrast, is an extremely tight and sometimes dark canyon. Both are beautiful in their own right.
Overall, the hike is about 6 miles if you do the whole loop. A little bit (400~500ft) of elevation loss and gain, but that's about it. The main pointer I can give is to go in through Peek-A-Boo Canyon, and out through Spooky Gulch. The entrance to Peek-A-Boo can be intimidating depending on your experience with climbing, but it's not technical. If you are not comfortable with light scrambling, it's a good idea to go with someone who is. After the entrance, it's very straighforward with no real obstacles. You want to climb out after a short bit and follow the cairns across the open desert to Spooky Gulch. Spooky Gulch quickly slots up and you'll soon come to the main obstacle; a boulder fall. First time I was there, it didn't seem like much. This time, it was a little trickier. The two groups in front of me had a couple members who had a little difficulty. In all honesty, I had a moment where I was almost stuck with no footholds and still about 6' to the bottom. I managed to get down safely, but again, if you aren't comfortable with that type of thing, it's good to have a member in your party who is and can help the rest down. The boulder fall is why you want to go in Peek-A-Boo Canyon and out Spooky Gulch; I have no idea how you would climb up it. I'm sure some people could, but definitely not me.
Anyway, as far as the road goes, Hole in the Rock is bumpy to the trailhead, but any vehicle can make it (as long as it's not muddy). The turn off from Hole in the Rock has been redone since we were there last time; it's much smoother and well maintained. There is now a nicer trailhead parking (and overflow parking) area, as well as bathrooms. The trail in is very well marked and maintained also. Peek-A-Boo Canyon and Spooky Gulch are very popular, which I think had a hand in the recent improvements.....but also makes them crowded, so get their early.
Overall, the Peek-A-Boo Canyon & Spooky Gulch loop trail is a great introduction to slot canyons. Easy to get to and easy to get through, it's good for all levels of experience.
I love that ending of all those peek*a*boo Jerrys.
So funny when you scold yourself and leave it in the video. We love your sense of humor. Great video
Tina still makes fun of me for that ending.
I'm concerned with the road most of all. Your peek-a-boos made me laugh! Thanks for sharing.
Last time I was there, just about any vehicle could make that trip as long as the road was dry. It's a total washboard so it'll shake the teeth out of your mouth, but it's not too difficult for vehicles. I saw plenty of standard sedans. Just don't go all the way to the end at hole in the rock (I think that's its name where it ends at Lake Powell.) and you'll probably be fine.
Lol the peek a boo was the best part! 👍🏻
Love your style ,nothing to say shut up and don't waffle on talking nonsense , also in my favourite areas 4 corners ,Page, Escalante, antelope canyons , I live in the Scottish Highland but love AZ,NM UT
WE loved the peek a boo skit at the end!
Best yet. Great ending.
It was the opening, but Tina said it was too dorky. I can't tell you how much fun it is reading the positive comments about it to her.
Took my kids there when the were pretty young, lots of fun, especially peekaboo.
Ne. Arizona! Maybe one of the most twisted formations presentation was funny, I laughed. Thanks, alot.
That end was awesome!
Amazing scenery and great choice of music, as always,Jerry :)
The Peak a Boo was way cool! Glad you did it!
I did this with friends a few days ago (Monday before Thanksgiving). We made new friends along the way due to need for teamwork for some of the ups (Peek) and drops (Spooky). There was knee deep slippery muddy water about 10 minutes in, making the ascent there a bit of a challenge. And you did it all on your own. Props to you! A great adventure!
I was hanging with my legs below me in that rockfall in spooky gulch. Legs swinging and no line of sight to tell how far it was to the ground. Not as easy as I remembered it, for sure. Glad you got to check it out though. They’re beautiful canyons. And so much more down Hole in the Rock to check out.
One note on this hike, we were there in Sept 2022 and the entrance to Peek A Boo was very tough. Had to be due to floods but that 5' climb into Peek A Boo, in this video, was 10' and there was a pool of water at the base. We had to stack up debris and form a bit of a human ladder to get the first guy up to the top. We had brought our own rope, which was good, because there was no rope there. We were fortunate that there was a person there, not in our group, who helped boost our last guy. Without the rope it would have been pretty dangerous since the water on our boots made everything slippery.
Glad you could still get in there. Never been a problem when I was there, but it's been years now, so I'm sure things have changed.
That peek a boo at the end. Great finale. Lol
See my response to Doug. I am really enjoying the comments on the ending. Not that I like giving Tina a hard time or anything.
I was just there this past weekend, how funny!!
I loved the end! That was cute and funny with the Peek A Boo Canyon.
Loved the video!
I'm a simple man. I see a new Jerry Arizona video and I come to watch and upvote.
I've done them each going both directions, and I'm not a climber, so most people can probably make it. During busy months there are likely other people there that can help you. There are spots in spooky that are very tight so some people might have trouble squeezing through. These are very unique canyons.
Went here last week. It's an awesome place. It gets hot out there though. We missed the trail that takes you off the rim trail and down into the canyon. Luckily we saw some people coming out and followed them.
I love the peekaboo part at the end. Great video.
wow! Simply amazing!!!
Loved the ending- and the hike looks cool too!
I think you don´t have to work! Either you couldn´t make all these wonderful and fantastic videos from all over AZ, UT.....
I love this video! Thank you for making it
loved the peek a boo haha
Great footage! I did this hike back in May. Got there early enough to have the place to myself. It was fun but also a little spooky ;)
Awesome 🤩
This is on my bucket list.
I highly recommend a week or two in this area. Zebra Slot, Spooky/Peek A Boo, Coyote Gulch, Reflection Canyon, Cosmic Ashtray.....so much to see up there.
Where i parked ,there was small paper maps for you to go by. with arrows it wants people to go up peek-aboo and down spooky, like you did. spooky is so narrow
its very hard and near impossible to pass each other. When i was there hikers were going both ways. From the top going down into spooky was harry crawling through
the boulders. ( really fun) Some hikers were turning back there LOL. I loved it , except for wash boarded hole in the rock road of course.
I struggled at that boulder fall. I was hanging, solo, no idea how far down the floor was. I managed, but it was a lot trickier than I remembered from last trip. I definitely see why they want one way traffic.
Great video. I like videos that don't take 30-45 minutes. I hear you about keeping clean, thank goodness for wet wipe & sponge baths. After a while you just gotta shower.
Nice canyon Jerry! Absolutely love the SE landscape, have to get back to the desert soon after seeing this👍🏼. I hate rashes also😂
Nice video! These are on my bucket list.
Oh danger. There's 4 of you now! :) I wish I could give 4 likes for that ending! And that spooky gulch is a squeeze.
I am always looking forward to the fun part at the end with the outtakes. It is just such a good bonus to the informative part. Love your videos! Tina was right though: The fun part has to be at the end as is tradition ;)
Don't encourage her.
Beautiful
It is. This whole area is beautiful. In addition to this there's Coyote Gulch, Zebra Slot, Reflection Canyon and much, much more. All within a few miles of each other.
These videos make me miss the Southwest so much!! FYI, you can climb up the boulder in Spooky, it's easy if you have people with you. :)
Neat. 👍👍
YOU'RE HILARIOUS! THANKS FOR THE WALK THROUGH. Is it clear which way is up Peek-a-boo and down spooky? I want to take the same route you took.
Its been a while, but I think it's pretty clear. If you walk straight into a tight slot, you're heading in Spooky. If you walk up to a somewhat difficult climb up red rock and are immediately at the double archs when you get up that climb, you're going in the way I went (Peek a Boo). There is a boulder jam in spooky that can be a little difficult to get through going this way. I was hanging there unable to see below me and my feet weren't touching the ground. So I kinda had to blindly guess how far away the ground was, which wasn't fun. Not sure what it would be like climbing up. But if it looks daunting, you can always turn around and get out from either side.
Great video Editing and all 🔥👍
When we did these 30 and 40 years ago there were only a couple other cars at the trailhead. I counted 51 (not including the overflow area) in our early October visit.
Great Video. I tried that about 2 years ago and I could not figure it out. Glad to hear it's marked better. Hope to give it another try this November 2023.
Did it have a well defined parking lot when you went? That was new since the previous time I was there and the trail seemed easier to follow. But this was about 2(ish) years ago, so not sure if it's improved since you were there. If there was no gravel lot right off Hole in the Rock Road when you were there, then it's been updated. If there was, I think it's going to be about the same.
Just got back from a trip to Utah last week and finally bagged this hike (& little scramble). First it was awesome, I loved it. Second, there were no hand lines on either the Peek A Boo entrance or the Spooky drop. Who ever watched the first person in our party did fine at those points. The first person struggled a minor bit. I got some nice pics but it helps to use this video to get the full feeling of this place. I thought Spooky was a bit tighter than the 'gage' at the north or west trailhead.
Glad you could make it! Been a while since I watched this video, so I can't remember what I said about the entrance to Peek A Boo or the boulder fall in Spooky. I didn't have problems getting into Peek A Boo, but saw people who did. The boulder fall at Spooky was a little precarious solo. Great area though, and this is a really fun hike.
Why do they call it Peak a Boo...and then you pop your head in and out....classic!!!
Tina made fun of that part, so I stuck it at the end. Not that I'd tell her I was right, but...yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing.
The music is such a take away
Hi again, Jerry. With the tightness/narrow slots, do you suggest a super-wide angle lens, like 14 or 20mm on a DSLR for still photography. I would bring both, but I am trying to keep my backpack as small as possible... water and small snacks only.
I feel like a wide angle would be best so you can capture more and crop in if needed. Worst part about photographing slot canyons is the dynamic range. An iphone actually works better capturing the bright sky and the dark parts than my Canon. Unless you bring a tripod and bracket different exposures. You definitely don't want to drag a bunch of gear through here. It is tight. Some people also struggle with the climb in Peek-A-Boo and that rockfall section in Spooky was difficult for me to navigate solo. Wouldn't have wanted to do it with a bulky pack.
Nice video tour of the slots. Would have been great if Tina had joined you. :)
She'll be in the next video. She couldn't get off work for this trip.
Great video! Love the cuts, and loved the peek a boo part! 👍😁.
What do you call that edit with multiple you in a single location?
Thank you for all the information as well.👍👍
Not really sure what it's called. I just recorded going from spot to spot, then spliced and overlaid them all together with some masking. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.
Did you follow an Alltrails track three years ago? Great video.
I think it was more about 'little to no research' last time we went. They definitely made it much easier to find/get to now though. Not that it was too hard before.
Awesome views! Do you have to beware of water coming thru the area? It was totally dry from views. Your ending was fun!!😂.
It was 100 degrees and hadn't rained for weeks when I was there. You definitely want to keep an eye on the forecast whenever you go into a canyon, especially a slot canyon.
Great video! Is it possible to go through Peek-a-boo and the hike back overland without doing Spooky?
Absolutely. Worst case, just go out back through Peek-A-Boo. I still recommend trying Spooky, even if you just go from the bottom up to the boulder obstacle. (Unless you're really claustrophobic, of course.)
I noticed quite a few cairns on this hike, do you find those to be useful or are they just some goober’s idea of art and a distraction? The ending was spot on BTW.
Depends. I feel like they have their place. I also feel like sometimes they're over used, or used incorrectly. I'm personally not offended by them from an aesthetic perspective, but feel like if you don't know how/where to place them, don't make them. Nothing worse than a trail of cairns to nowhere.
it depends on where the rash is?
What kind of camera did you use for this?
This was shot on GoPro 8.
I Googled. And it said 4×4 required to go to Peekaboo. But you said any car can make it there.
So can I drive the Toyota Corona to peekapoo?
Yes. Hole in the Rock Road is wash-boardy, but not bad. And they have re-done the road/parking area for peek a boo. Several years ago, it was a sketchy road. So the Google report must be old. You can make it. I would not recommend it if it's been rainy though, because it's still a dirt road in spots.
Peekaboo(Red Canyon) Kanab or Peek A Boo Escalante. There are lots of Peek-a-boos in Utah. The one in Kanab needs full 4X4 or a hot sandy hike.
Would a 7 month pregnant belly be able to make it through this narrow walkways??
Should be able to. But the climb up into Peek A Boo and the Dow climb in Spooky may be tough. You can go up the hill and drop into Peek A Boo where it’s shallow to avoid the entrance. I wouldn’t recommend doing the Dow climb/boiler obstacle in Spooky though. Maybe go in from the exit and turn around when you get to it.
OK Here's a video tip for you and yours. If your going to make a video attach the camera to your body or maybe your head because when you use a extended arm type of pole it just show's you and not what your seeing. We want to see the scenery not you talking. Also using some type of steady cam would also help.
Cryptobiotic soil???? What a stupid concept.
YOUR commentary would be better than the Music
Yeah, I've definitely switched music style (slower, mellower) and slowed down the cuts in the years since making this.
Why do people make a good video and add such shitty, mindless music to it???