Choprock Slot (4BIV R)

Location: Escalante
Rating: Advanced 4B IV R
Length: 11-18 hours
Mileage: ~16 miles round trip
Longest Rappel: 90 ft (30 m)
Start: 25.5 miles down Hole in Rock Road
End: Loop
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Yes
Shuttle: No

Warning. This canyon is technically rated because of challenging passes through log jams and very narrow sections. In 2005, two college students died of exposure as they could not pass a problematic passage. Full-body 5mm wetsuits or better are recommended.

Overview: The Golden Cathedral and Choprock Bench is home to several fantastic canyons. Choprock Slot is a challenging canyon with a lot of difficulties. Plan for an all-day excursion starting at the break of dawn. It offers climbing, rappelling, swimming, narrow sections, pools, log jams, etc. Like any canyon, Choprock Slot (aka Kaleidoscope Canyon, South Fork Choprock) can be easier depending on water levels. Typically this canyon is better attempted when water levels are low. However, log jams seem to be the most problematic and continuously changing with flash floods, so prepare for the unexpected. Extra gear is always a good idea but don't overload yourself, as large packs will slow your progress through the narrow sections. Finally, don't underestimate how quickly cold water can harm or even kill you. Bring a full-body 5mm wetsuits. 

Approach: From Hwy 12, leaving Escalante, turn right onto Hole in the Rock Road. From the turn-off, drive 16.5 miles to another well-established dirt road on the right. Turn right and continue on a new dirt road for 9 miles. The five fingers of Egypt Canyons are found along the way. Park at the Golden Cathedral Trailhead.

Completing the Canyon: An established trail is found heading East toward Fence Canyon. Head along the path to the Escalante River - about 3 miles. Camp in the area if you'd like and follow BLM camping regulations. From the mouth of Fence Canyon, cross the Escalante River and upstream to where the trail comes closest to the canyon wall. You'll find an area to scramble up. Choprock Slot is just North of where you begin to ascend the mesa. Alternatively, an old cattle path within the South Fork of Choprock (on the south wall) also ascends the mesa.

Head northeastward, locating the Overland Trail or social trails that follow Choprock Slot northeast. Travel about 5 miles in a northeasterly direction until it is possible to walk down to the bottom of Choprock Slot.

The canyon has about six rappels depending on your downclimbing experience. There are many narrow sections and about 2-4 hours of swimming or wading in frigid water. The difficulty of scrambling the slots provides the "R" rating. The upper part of the canyon will offer some open areas full of vegetation. The lower section of the canyon has been labeled the "Grim Section," full of narrows and dark corridors. The most significant obstacles are log jams and debris blocking passage where scrambling over or swimming under may be required.