Tucked simply outdoors Orderville, Utah, Pink Hole Slot Canyon affords hikers an intimate glimpse of Southern Utah’s iconic purple rock landscapes with out the crowds of extra well-known canyons. The brief however lovely newbie slot canyon winds by means of slim, twisting corridors, the place daylight sparkles throughout sandstone partitions, revealing layers of deep reds, oranges, and delicate purples. Climbing Pink Hole is an journey of contrasts—clean, easy-to-walk stretches interrupted by tight squeezes and small rock obstacles—making it accessible for many guests whereas nonetheless delivering a way of exploration and discovery.
Trailhead elevation 5,583′
Water seasonal, not potable
Do not miss the chimney part about half a mile in
Climbing Pink Hole Slot Canyon
After a morning rappelling by means of Ladder Canyon close to Orderville, I determine to stay round and at last discover Pink Hole Slot Canyon—a brief slot I’ve by some means by no means visited. It’s one other gorgeous late-September morning as I depart Kanab and make the half-hour drive to the trailhead. After all, Google Maps leads me to the fallacious spot, so I backtrack a bit and discover the right place to begin adjoining to Pink Hole Ranch at 37.271310, -112.631411.
From the trailhead, the trail cuts by means of a niche within the bushes earlier than veering proper towards Pink Hole Wash.
Inside 100 ft, it bends proper once more—however the actual route drops left into the wash.
As soon as within the wash, the hike is easy. The deep sand step by step corporations up, and inside a 3rd of a mile, I enter the slot canyon.
At first, it appears unremarkable, however quickly I encounter a stack of rocks main up beside a boulder wedged between the canyon partitions—a reminder of the facility of water.
A simple scramble over the boulder opens up basic slot canyon views.
A couple of hundred ft previous the boulder, I come throughout a shallow pool of water, roughly 5 ft lengthy, with simply sufficient dry floor alongside the perimeters to maintain my ft dry. With latest heavy rains, I contemplate myself fortunate that it isn’t deeper.
One other hundred ft forward, a big boulder blocks the way in which, nevertheless it’s a cake stroll to move.
Instantly after, roughly half a mile into the hike, I’m pressured to chimney by means of a reasonably slim part—far too tight to move with out wedging myself in on the backside.
Past this constriction, the canyon continues to unfold with extra slot surroundings, however I’m working brief on time and have to get again to Kanab to choose up my previous man earlier than we drive to St. George for the evening. I’m unsure what lies additional alongside the canyon or how difficult it turns into, however the mile I coated is effectively definitely worth the effort. And whereas Pink Hole could not rival the great thing about close by slots or the putting surroundings of Zebra or Peek-a-Boo in Escalante, it’s a enjoyable, fast tour that rewards minimal effort with a satisfying style of slot canyon journey.
