Alcatraz Slot Canyon
Beta for Alcatraz Canyon in the Robbers' Roost area of Utah
Duration
3.5
- 6 hrs.
Longest Rappel
130 ft
Number of Rappels
3
Country: united states
State/Province: UT
City or Nearest City: Hanksville
Approaches:
First Rappel:
Last Rappel:
Exits:
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Essential Canyoneering Gear
Descender - Hoodoo
Carabiners
Quicklinks
Harness
Gloves
Rope
Helmet
Personal Anchor System
Canyoneering Shoes (LA Sportiva TX3)
Webbing (Bluewater)
VT Prusik
Pull Cord
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
Rappel 1 Anchor
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.
Rappel 2
Length: 50 ft
Rappel 2 Anchor
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.
Rappel 3
Length: 15 ft
Type of Rappel: Optional
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 Photo Gallery
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
Rappel 1
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.
Rappel 2
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.
Rappel 3
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.
6 FT. Pothole
Slot Lighting in Alcatraz
Squeezing through the canyon
Boulder Field Exit
Returning to the car
Rappelling off your car
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.