Log in

View Full Version : Trip Report Zebra, Tunnel March 2012



WorkBad
03-31-2015, 07:22 PM
29 March 2012, after spending a great week further down Hole In the Rock Road we decided to cap our trip off and check out beautiful Zebra slot. The added bonus to this route was Tunnel slot, an unusual short dark tunnel through the sandstone. Visiting these two locations took us 3.5 hours car to car.

Zebra is incredibly beautiful and very short, you can see the whole thing in 3 minutes kind of short. There is a sandstone wall that prevents general traffic from exiting out the top making it the shortest canyon we've ever done. Going as far up as we could, dodging photographers, we retreated with curiosity of what the upper section looks like. Using the steep sandstone right shoulder of Zebra (as you approach) we gained access to view the upper section. Up top we found tons of moqui marbles in all various sizes. Looking down into Zebra we realized the lower section is far more interesting but there's a cool semi-keeper pothole maybe worth checking out.

After this canyon we hiked straight towards Tunnel slot by taking the obvious cut in the terrain connecting the two canyons. Arriving at the top of Tunnel we found that it was full of water whose depth was hard to determine because of the dim lighting and reflection across the shimmering surface. The freezing cold water ended up being about thigh deep for us. Tunnel is a very short ~75ft oddity of a "canyon" due to its shape but was fun to visit. The short stint in the ice water made it hard to walk for short period of time which added to the short adventure. I highly recommend it.

Enjoy the photos.

Area overview
79012

Area detail
79013

On the trail
79014

Halfway Hollow
79015

Natalie at the entrance to Zebra
79016

Scenery
79017

79018

79019

79020

79021

79022

Me, at the end of the canyon, trying to go up more
79023

On top, looking back towards the way we came
79024

The top of Zebra looking down
79025

Moqui Marbles
79026

79027

79028

79029

Perfect size for juggling
79030

Natalie heading over to Tunnel Slot using the obvious cut in the terrain between the two canyons
79031

79032

Top of Tunnel Slot
79033

Scenery
79034

79035

79036

79037

Exit of Tunnel Slot (for our direction)
79038

79039

Sandstone Addiction
04-03-2015, 01:50 PM
I like the moqui marbles. Growing up, I only knew them as being called "Sand Bombs".

My Grandpa Alvey told stories of finding very large "sand bombs" and when placed in a fire they would blow up. Not sure if they really do?

He and my dad picked them up by the bucketfuls on Spencer Flat. Dad always marveled at how they were formed and doubt he ever really found out. In fact, after my dad passed on years ago, there were still 2 or 3 buckets full of softball sized "sand bombs" in the garage. I guess mom just gave them away...

Good to see some still around in their natural state.

Loved the TR WorkBad.

hiacbanks
04-19-2015, 02:07 PM
Nice write up. I want to go:)
Is trail running shoe good for the trip?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WorkBad
04-19-2015, 02:09 PM
Yes, trail running shoes should be just fine.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk