The Tranquille Slot Canyons have been one of our favorite areas to explore for a few years.   We usually go down to the slots each year, but often in different seasons.   Summer is a favorite because once the water levels go down and the water temperature goes up, we can traverse the north slot and scramble the south slot.   Previous articles have featured routes:

• Playing the Slots
• Scouting the Slot Canyons
• Tranquille Slot Canyons

I took a group down to the shoreline between the two slots.   We went to the mouth of the south slot and worked our way downstream.   This slot is a scramble on rock, with slow progress in some river sections, and a challenge in getting past some obstacles.   At about halfway down, the river gets steeper and narrower and any progress is difficult, but it can be done.   By doing some straddling and wading the explorer can go down to the lip of a small waterfall and then plunge into a deeper pool, swimming out to the end of the slot.   But it is hard to see the depth of the dark water at this point so it is safer to go down then turn around and go back.   The south slot is not for the inexperienced scrambler.   Don't go alone.   A small party with a rope would be the best choice.  

We also entered the south slot from the south exit in aprevious visit, but this requires swimming up to the pour-off.   The north slot, on the other hand, is just a wade through the creek, with a few dry spots.  The deepst part was up to our armpits, but the majority was calf to waist deep.   Explorers need some kind of water shoes with traction (Keens are good) and poles for stability on slippery rocks.   The actual distance is only about 125m, but it will take at least 15 minutes each way.  

In both slots, there is a lot of sculpted rock.

Photography is not easy.   I brought a dry bag with me this time (an inadvertesn plunge last year damaged a camera).  The contrast between the dark areas and the sunlit areas makes exposures a challenge.   The best photos are taken in the dark with some reflected indirect light on the canyon walls.

We were thoroughly wet, but not cold.   A hot day is a good time to go.  August brings warmer water and easier traverses.   The fall is also a good time, but you might want to wear a wet suit.   I did a traverse of the north slot in October and the water was cool, although the depth of the water was considerably down.  

This is one of our wild spots, not easy to get to, not easy to explore, but a unique local adventure.   Slot it into your plans for the future.