Alcatraz Slot Canyon

Beta for Alcatraz Canyon in the Robbers' Roost area of Utah

Duration

3.5

- 6 hrs.

Rating

3

Technical Class Indicates the technicality of the terrain and the tyoe of rope work require.

1 - 

Canyon Hiking Non-technical. No rope is required. See the route description for difficulties.

2 - 

Basic Canyoneering Scrambling, easy climbing or downclimbing. A rope may be handy for handlines, belays, lowering packs and emergency use. Exit or retreat possible upcanyon without fixed ropes.

3 - 

Intermediate Canyoneering Rappels or technical climbing and/or downclimbing. A rope is required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Retreat upcanyon would require fixing ropes.

4 - 

Advanced Canyoneering Aid climbing, multi-pitch rappels and/or complex rope work (such as re-belays, tyrollean traverse, or guided rappels) may be required. Might also require difficult pothole escapes, serious squeezing, extensive high-risk downclimbing, or have difficult-to-establish natural anchors. Rappels longer than 200 feet will usually earn a canyon a Class 4 rating.

B

Water Rating indicates complications due to flowing or still water, under normal conditions.

A - 

Normally dry or with very little water. Wading to waist deep at most.

B - 

Water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls are normally dry or running at a trickle. Swimming expected.

C - 

Water with strong current. Waterfalls. Wet canyon rope techniques required.

II

Time or Grade indicates the length of the adventure.

I - 

Short. A couple of hours.

II - 

Requires about a half day.

III - 

Normally requires most of a day.

IV - 

Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - 

More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - 

Two full days or more.

Additional Risk Rating indicates the presence of more risk factors than might be expected.

No Rating - 

Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - 

One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment required. Not appropriate for beginners, even with competent leadership.

X - 

Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should be attempted by expert canyoneers only. This is the least-well-established part of the rating system, and the most subjective. Use by beta-providers varies widely, to the point that this part of the rating means very little.

Longest Rappel

130 ft

Number of Rappels

3

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Hanksville

Approaches:

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First Rappel:

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Last Rappel:

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Exits:

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Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Alcatraz Slot Canyon

High Flash Flood Risk

This canyon has a small watershed, but flash flood danger can be high when it rains because the canyon itself is very small and narrow. Keep an eye on the forecast leading up to your trip.

Campsites Nearby

Alcatraz Canyon Rappels

- 3 rappels

Rappel 1 in Alcatraz slot canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 130 ft

Type of Rappel: Free-hanging

Coordinates: 38.27825,-110.39975

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Anchor off of your car


Overview

This rappel can be longer depending on how far back you park from the edge, so keep that in mind. The rappel has a good free-hanging section.

Tips

Leave the roped fixed at this rappel since the following rappels are much shorter. Put some rocks in front of your tires as a backup.



The second rappel anchor in Alcatraz slot canyon

Rappel 2

Length: 50 ft

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

Extended webbing anchored to a chockstone.


Overview

Before rappeling down, you'll have to climb out of a 6ft. semi-keeper pothole onto a skinny ledge. This can be done with a partner assist. There can also be water at the bottom of this rappel, but it should be avoidable.

Tips

For safety, it would be ideal to be on a belay after climbing out of the pothole onto the skinny ledge.



A dark part of the Alcatraz Slot

Rappel 3

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

After the 2nd rappel, the canyon will slot up and become very dark and narrow. This is when the downclimbs and squeezing really begin. Rappel 3 is optional and there is a handline in place that can assist you in getting down. After this 3rd rappel, there are some more downclimbs and squeezes, and will eventually open up into a boulder field.



Alcatraz Slot Canyon Trip Reports

April 27, 2023

Our small group of two started the first rap at 10 AM. We took a leisurely pace through the canyon, stopping for lunch, and arrived back at the car at 3 PM. After the 2nd rap, the canyon started to get squeezy, dark, and narrow. We downclimbed the 3rd rap where there was a handline setup. The downclimb ended in a cold, knee-deep pool. No wetsuits were needed though. After this pool, there was a tough obstacle we needed to use a partner assist to get over. The exit was steep and long, but very well-marked with a defined social trail. Great day overall! A classic in Robbers' Roost.