Egypt 3 Slot Canyon Map
Rumored to be the longest slot canyon in Utah, 'Egypt 3' is a semi-technical slot with tons of fun to be had. Don't bring a big backpack, or clothes. The 20-mile loop hike begins on Egypt Bench, high above the Escalante River, and descends about 1,000 feet via Fence Canyon into the Escalante River’s canyon, continuing downriver to the confluence of Twentyfive Mile Wash.
| Egypt 2 Canyon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating: | Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate(30 ratings) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| | Time:4h-6h overall Raps:2, max 280ft Shuttle:None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | 37.5808, -111.2425 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 29 Aug 2019 'We left my 300' rope fixed at the big drop, ran the canyon with a 60' rope which we used at one rappel. There was a tiny bit of water in 2 pools, but easy enough to stem over and keep feet totally dry. We used a more direct exit which goes right up between Egypt 2 and Egypt 1.5 which has a short bit of steep slab, and no car shuttle. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Regions: | United States Escalante | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
37.580833333333, -111.2425http://ropewiki.com/images/3/3d/Egypt_2_Canyon.kmltopo
- 3Use this approach if bypassing the 280 foot head wall rappel.
Introduction
Egypt 2 is one of several canyons located along the Egypt Bench Road in the Escalante canyons area. It is fairly beginner friendly if you exclude the big 280 foot rappel at the head of the canyon. For those who did not bring a 300 foot rope there is an easier 65 foot entrance rappel just down and across the canyon. If you choose to do the big 280, it is much easier to leave the 300 foot rope at the top and retrieve upon your return from the canyon. There is a small arch/bridge at the top of the 280 foot rappel that makes a great place for a webbing anchor. Also note that there is a fairly sharp edge at the top of the 280 foot rappel that can eat a rope's sheath pretty quickly. If opting for the 65 foot entrance rappel there is not much of the canyon missed by this shorter cut in. Most beta and trip reports mention trips down Egypt 2 and up Egypt 3 which is a great trip in and of itself. For those wishing for a shorter, half day trip there is a very scenic exit at the end of Egypt 2 canyon (DC Right) that takes you back up to your exit shuttle vehicle parked on the Egypt road. The views on the way up and on top are simply amazing! If no shuttle vehicle exists you can walk the one mile back up the Egypt Road to your where you parked your entrance vehicle.
Approach
From the town of Escalante, Utah drive 5.1 miles east to the Hole In the Rock Road (HITRR). Turn left and drive your High Clearance Vehicle 16.75 miles down this road. At this point turn left onto the Egypt Bench road and drive your high clearance vehicle 8 miles to the Egypt 2 Canyon Head. There is space for several vehicles off the road. Walk 50 yards to the top of the canyon. Some have backed a vehicle up to the edge and anchored a 300 foot off the bumper. Others have used the small arch at the top DC right. The 280 foot rappel is a partial free hang in places. Double check the friction level on your belay device.
Use this approach if bypassing the 280 foot head wall rappel.
Exit Vehicle
Leave an exit vehicle parked on the Egypt Road at about 37°34'23.31'N 111°15'8.99'W (E2 ParkEnd).This is a mile down the road from the upper entrance parking area of E2. This can be done without an exit vehicle. Once out of the canyon walk the mile up the road to your entrance vehicle.
Entrance Vehicle
Just past the Head of E2 approximately .17 miles up the road park at 37°34'57.78'N 111°14'28.04'W (E2 ParkStart)There is room for about 2 or 3 cars maximum just off the side of the road.
On Foot
From the parking spot head southeast, then down into a drainage and then south and slightly downhill to approximately 37°34'41'N 111°14'27'W (E2 StartFirstRap). This is about a .37 miles from the entrance vehicle. As you approach the drop in point the canyon will be directly on your right.
Entrance Rappel
Here you will find several ledges with large and medium sized boulders that may have webbing anchors attached. There are several good sized boulders with which to build good webbing anchors. When we last visited this place there was some bright orange webbing attached to some medium sized shrubs (yikes). We removed this webbing and did not use the shrubs for an anchor. Please use appropriately colored webbing :) A rappel from these ledges to the bottom of the canyon is about 65 feet. From the bottom of this rappel take a short jaunt up canyon to see what you missed by not doing the big 280 foot rappel.
Descent
Once in the canyon proper there is a short jaunt to the next rappel. This one could be down climbed by the skilled but there is good webbing anchor placement points for those who choose to rappel. The rappel is in the range of 35 to 40 feet and has a fairly awkward start to it adding to the fun.
From there it is the usual Utah slot canyon fun with more down climbing, chimneying, hoppin n' droppin. There are a couple of potholes that have to be crossed but with partner assists they are easily defeated. If they contain water they are much more fun - slippery rides start with muddy sides.
Exit
Egypt 3 Slot Canyon Map Google
From where the canyon opens up it is another .20 miles down to where an easily ascended slab of Navajo sandstone extends to the canyon floor. This is located DC Right at 37°33'48.02'N 111°14'51.23'W (E2 Exit Slab). To the left of this slab is a drainage coming in from the North West. Climb the center of this slab and head in a North Westerly direction across several small drainages towards the easily climbed upper ledges that you will traverse to get to the top. As you climb these ledges there will be a canyon that comes into view on the right. This canyon is Egypt 1.5 (aka Bobo). Keep this canyon to your right as you ascend these ledges. There are some reddish brown streaks (hematite source maybe) that vertically line the very top Navajo sandstone cliffs. Head towards those as you climb. The streaks are in the area where you climb up and out. Once on top it is approximately .16 miles to your exit vehicle and or the Egypt Road 37°34'23.31'N 111°15'8.99'W.
Red tape
Beta sites
- Chris Brennen's Adventure Hikes (Southwest) : Egypt Slots 2 & 3
- Super Amazing Map : Egypt 2 Canyon
- RoadTripRyan.com : Egypt 2 Canyon
Trip reports and media
- Candition.com : Egypt 2
Background
Credits
In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).
I had never ventured out to the Egypts before Saturday and was hoping for some peace and quiet. Boy, did I chose the right place. I had the Egypts entirely to myself. I didn’t hear a sound from any human on this hike, no airplanes overhead, no cars passing by. For me, it was a unique and refreshing experience.
Egypt 3 is a fantastic canyon with two distinct halves. The top half contains chutes, slides and a large pothole. The walls are stunning and the obstacles are fun.
The bottom half is dark, narrow and sinister. The walls are rough and passage is slow and hard earned. The width of my hand is 9 inches from my thumb to the end of my small finger. I could nearly span my hand the width of the canyon along much of the lower slot. I estimate the minimum width of the canyon at 10 ½ inches.
The Egypt area is pristine. There are many balanced rocks that would be easy to topple, there are many sandstone fins that would be easy to crush. If you head out there, tread lightly.
Currently conditions are ideal for hiking in the Escalante area. The high temperature on Saturday was around 60, the low was around 30. The entire canyon was dry except for one pothole that contained a bucketful of water.
Free advice: If you decide to visit this canyon, wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads. You will be glad you did. Don't do this hike mid-summer. The hike back to your vehicle is up a southern facing slope that is completely exposed to the sun. Mid day temps of 60 degrees are just right, 80 degrees would be nasty, 100+ degrees could be lethal.
Click here for a short video of Egypt 3. Sorry about the shaky footage.
