Stone Donkey Canyon is the exquisite slot with the big approach! Though short, this slot is quite stunning and in my opinion, well worth the effort to visit. The goods start with a dramatic rappel often bathed in a shimmering glow, followed by a short but dramatic narrow slot that is likely to leave an impression on most. Magnificent!

So, with the hype in mind, what is the approach like? Well, there are several options, none of them short or easy. My strong recommendation is to make this outing into a light overnight backpack and approach via Hackberry Canyon. This approach is longer than the 2 cross country routes, but trust me, it is much more enjoyable! As my recommended route, this is what is described below. Fast/strong hikers with long days could cover the almost 18-mile round trip in a day, but most will want 2 days. Hackberry, particularly around Stone Donkey is quite pretty. Throw in an extra day's rations and make an even more leisurely 3-day trip out of it.

Full Details