Southern Utah is home to a vast and easily accessible breathtaking national monument, the Grand Staircase-Escalante. This unique spot on earth houses splendid destinations for hiking and canyoneering. For instance, the Grand Staircase region of the national monument has the most extensive network of slot canyons in Utah and offers spectacular views. Two of the top destinations within Grand Staircase-Escalante are spooky gulch and Peekaboo slot canyon. Both of these hikes can be combined in one loop. However, many people prefer to hike them separately.
Furthermore, those magnificent canyons are perfect for solo hikers. While it is known that this entire loop is 4.44 miles long from the trailhead to the canyon, there are many facts and things travelers need to know about hiking Peekaboo and spooky gulch loop.
What To Know Before Hiking Peekaboo & Spooky Gulch Loop
Before going to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to hike the iconic Peekaboo and spooky gulch loop, people must know that the total distance is 4.44 miles, and the elevation gain is 697 feet. Moreover, hikers should expect the loop duration to last between 3 and 4 hours. Additionally, the loop is considered intermediate in difficulty, with some scrambling, particularly at the entrance. Another thing to know before visiting spooky gulch is that there is a problematic section of climbing down. This might not be very pleasant for people who feel uncomfortable holding their body weight. This is why there's a rope there to help climbers, although they must not rely on it, and it should be used only to add help and protection.
Furthermore, going clockwise is the best route to choose if hiking both canyons. Hikers must begin by climbing up Peekaboo and then going down Spooky Canyon. This should be done for safety and to avoid traffic.
- Safety information: People must beware of slot canyons becoming slippery during or after precipitation or from having water in sections. This would render the hike much more difficult. Furthermore, during those times, the road to the trailhead will get muddy, making it difficult for vehicles. This is why people must use 4WD vehicles during wet times to drive to the trailheads.
How To Hike The Peekaboo & Spooky Gulch Trails
There are various trails that people can use to hike the Peekaboo and spooky gulch loop. The recommended route and parking area for each canyon are the Lower Dry Fork Trailhead, which consists of a 4.44 miles round trip and 697 feet elevation gain. Moreover, the parking area includes a bathroom. Hikers also have access to a trail map which they can look at for reference. Next, people can begin hiking on this well-traveled trail, heading left along the edge of the cliff and enjoying the vista views in front of them. The path and cairns will lead hikers down into the canyon. After hiking for 0.97 miles, people will reach the first junction, heading right. The other corner is at 1.14 miles, where people should stay to the right and descend to the canyon's bottom.
- Safety Information: People must pay attention when it's raining or when there is ice because the road will get slippery at the steepest section of the trail, located around 1.14 miles in the loop.
People will next reach a junction to the Dry Fork Narrows, where they can go left to the Peekaboo canyon entrance or right to Spooky Gulch. To maintain all traffic going in the same direction, people are recommended to hike the loop clockwise, starting with the Peekaboo canyon. After 1.79 miles, the Peekaboo canyon will be completed only to reach Spooky Gulch canyon at 2.22 miles. The latter will be exited at 2.52 miles, and hikers can return to the trailhead or go to Dry Fork Narrows canyon.
Upper Dry Fork Trailhead
There is a parking area on this trailhead that features a bathroom and a trail map that people can look at. People can begin hiking on this well-traveled trail, stay at the Dry Fork Trail, and head through the Dry Fork Narrows. This beautiful section of the hike will lead people to the entrance of Peekaboo Canyon. For instance, people who wish to hike Spooky Gulch, Peekaboo Canyon, and Dry Fork Narrows are advised to start the loop by hitting the Upper Dry Fork trailhead.
Other people might want to hike one canyon only, such as Peekaboo or Spooky Gulch. Those who wish to do so can follow unmarked but traveled paths from other hikers. This option is not recommended, but people who want to can try it.
- Location: Spooky Gulch and Peekaboo canyon can be found on Hole-In-The-Rock road, which gets muddy during and after precipitation. People will need to drive around 20 miles along this road. They recommend using 4WD vehicles, although 2WDs can make it when the road is dry.