Lower Maidenwater offers some of the best non-technical narrows around They are dark, well sculpted, and very photogenic With easy access, and easy narrows, this is a very family friendly hike, suitable for dogs with a little help in a few spots The narrows have a small flowing stream that begins mid-way down canyon, and adds to the atmosphere An interesting feature of Maidenwater is a large boulder wedged in 1/2 way down canyon This boulder is interesting because it changes depending on floods Many times the bould...

The Wagner Spring hike is short enough to fit into an evening but long enough to feel like an outing The hike is a nice one, meandering through scrub oak, passing a spring, then climbing up the foothills to a viewpoint of Emigration Canyon and Salt Lake City Historical Note: Wagner Spring has an interesting history In 1864, the first brewery in Utah was opened at the site called the California Brewery by German immigrant Henry Wagener In 1894, it was renamed the Wagener Brewing Company Sadly, in 1914 the brewery wa...

Bingo is one of the mini slots Dave found and documented in 2009 I had done Sawtooth which starts at the same trailhead, but had never gotten back to check out the others in the area Bingo turned out to be a pleasant surprise The goods are very short, but also very good A relatively short approach leads to a deeply cut and narrow slot that is long enough and provides enough difficulty to be fun, but not overwhelming The skilled can downclimb many of the drops, while the timid and less experienced may do a handful o...

The Fry Canyon ruins overlook is not signed, so does not see much traffic The viewpoint offers a good view of the ruins, and there are several very good camping spots in the area as well This is a great place to watch the sunset on the ruins and spend an evening star gazing

Taylor Creek, or Middle Taylor Creek as it is also called, is a very scenic hike in the Kolob Section of Zion National Park The hike visits two historic cabins, as well as an exquisite deep walled canyon Though the hike ends at Double Arch Alcove, don't be fooled like I was In this case, arch means closed arch, not a true open arch Even with the deceptive naming, this is a good hike, and highly recommended The hike is very exposed to the full sun to the first cabin, then gets a bit more shaded In full summer, the f...

These slots are all very short, but are fantastic for beginners, or those looking for a short outing while passing by These are also really great to link up with Woody Canyon to fill out a day A motivated group can easily do all three of these, and Woody Canyon, in a moderate/long day Beware: Little Fork requires advanced natural anchor skills, though Woodsy and Woodchuck are straightforward and suitable for most On my f...

Rock Canyon has to be one of the most used names in southern Utah I can think of at least a half dozen "Rock Canyons" off the top of my head! This Rock Canyon, the Rock Canyon near Bicknell to be more specific, is a great dog-friendly outing if you are around Capitol Reef National Park And need somewhere outside the park to hike with your pooch With easy access just a few miles from highway 24, this hike nonetheless offers an outing that is surprisingly quiet and isolated feeling Though not a 5-star outing given al...

Possibly my favorite of the mini-slots in the area, Benign offers a ton of down climbing and partner assist fun There are a couple of potholes as well, keeping things interesting This is a good one for intermediate canyoneers looking to practice team work and creative anchors Many most of the small drops can be downclimbed, but the ones that can't will require good and creative natural anchor building Very fun!

Trail is one of those canyons I have done quite a few times and would still be eager to do it again Relatively short, easy access, and a touch physical, it has many redeeming qualities This is, however, not a good choice for beginners, or those new to narrow slots A short tight slot section near the end will required either diminutive stature, or the willingness to climb over the spot at an intermediate level The climb over is not particularly hard, but is exposed and not suitable for beginners For reference, at 6'...

Though not an official hiking trail, this is one that sees a lot of traffic and for good reason A short jaunt from the parking area lands the intrepid hiker in what feels like the deep Zion backcountry Towering walls and vibrant colors make this a charming hike that is suitable for most The colors come out, in particular, during the evening sunset when the walls pop with color and texture A highly recommended short hike if your in this are of Zion National Park