A Breather in Southern Utah

My attempt to catch up on work in Page, Arizona, was a dismal failure. After getting sidetracked by a relaxing stay on the shores of Lake Powell, I set off once again - this time to Kanab, Utah, which was a short distance to the west.

Into Kanab

The town itself was infinitely more charming than Page. While it also appeared to attract tourists due to the close proximity of many attractions, it was tasteful, inviting, and unspoiled. There were historical elements, as the town was a prominent filming location for many 20th century westerns. Most notably, Kanab is the home for Best Friends Animal Society, the largest animal sanctuary in the United States. Still early in the day, I zeroed in on a coffee shop in the center of town, Jakey Leigh’s Cafe & Bakery, to enjoy a coffee and to do some work on my computer. Every now and then, when I’m not really sure where to spend the night, I’ll ask around in a coffee shop, often showing a picture of my Jeep to give folks an idea of my needs. In this case, I asked Jakey Leigh herself, and she directed me to a “secret spot” within town where I could discreetly camp! This was perfect! The convenience and awesomeness of Kanab more than made up for the poor experience I had in Page only days before.

More About Kanab

I need to talk about Kanab just a little more, because it was a significant waystop during my journey. I spent over a week there, to take a breather and to take some time to regroup. If you’re an overland traveler, or a van-lifer, it’s a superb place to stop. It’s surrounded by a dramatic sandstone mountainscape, BLM land, and numerous attractions, such as the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park. Toward the northern end of town, there is a beautiful community park, with a pool, skate park, fountains, ball fields, restrooms, pavilions, and lush green grass. It is an oasis! Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen, on the main street of Kanab, makes a delicious pizza, and offers craft beer in a relaxed and inviting environment. The area is surrounded by countless BLM roads ripe for exploration. If you’re not interested in staying around town, there is no shortage of places to camp to the north, and it’s likely you’ll stumble upon an impressive rock formation or canyon.

Speaking of Canyons

After a prolonged rest in Kanab, I was ready to do some exploring. I had it in my mind to do some hiking, but I wasn’t sure where, so I started Googling slot canyons near Kanab. On the map, I found Elkheart Cliffs Slot Canyon, which may or may not be its official name. There seems to be some confusion on its name, and it might also be called Diana’s Throne Canyon. Either way, I found it on Google Maps as Elkheart Cliffs. Online sources suggested that one had to park, and then hike roughly a half-mile to access the slot canyon at the drainage end. However, on my map, I noticed a BLM road ran to the south, parallel with the canyon, so I opted to follow it in the Jeep to see if I could an easier access point. The BLM road was an unremarkable, sandy road, that wound its way through the desert. It wasn’t technical at first… until it turned toward the inlet at the upper end of the slot canyon. The sand and gravel turned to slabs of sandstone as the two-track descended from the plateau, into the shallow canyon. There was no shortage of traction, but in an instant, the mild trail became quite technical, with some steps, and descents, and some off-camber sections that required evaluation before proceeding. With low range engaged, and sway-bar disconnected, I eased the Jeep into the canyon, where the BLM road seemed to abruptly end. There, I parked the Jeep, continued on foot!

Exploring the Slot

Prior to this, I had no experience with slot canyons. I’ve seen pictures, and I knew for a fact that there were more grandiose, and more popular canyons in the area. However, this one was special because it was lesser known. It was unspoiled, beautiful, and I had it all to myself! Only a short walk from the Jeep, down the canyon bed, I discovered the entrance to the slot. Its width narrowed to only a few feet at its base, as it zig-zagged downward through the red sandstone canyon. It was a natural obstacle course as I carefully descended ledges and negotiated smooth, rocky outcroppings. Every now and then, I’d encounter a straight and level section flanked by towering walls, creating a shadowy passage. There were cool and shady pockets that one could climb into; a welcome respite from the sun. At its most technical point, there was a drop-off into a basin. It was roughly ten feet to the ground below, and the top of the ledge was rounded, allowing me to slide part of the way before the drop. Before letting go, I made sure there was an easy route back up, and then I slid into the hole, landing safely. It was probably a half-mile of slot canyon, but given the uniqueness of the terrain, it felt like miles. It was so much fun, and I could easily see myself getting into canyoneering in the future! Upon reaching the end of the slot, I reversed course, and worked my way back to the Jeep, ready for the next adventure... [gallery size="full" link="file" columns="5" ids="https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-1-4.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-2-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-4-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-20-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-3-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-19-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-18-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-17-2.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-5-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-6-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-7-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-8-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-10-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-12-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-11-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-13-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-14-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-15-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-16-1.jpg|,https://ok4wd.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/024-breather_southern_utah-9-1.jpg|"]