Among prominent natural geologic/geographic features, few approach the scale and length of the San Rafael Reef.  This eastern flank of the San Rafael Swell, stretches for more than fifty miles with an escarpment of exposed geology.  As water applies its erosive force, many drainage courses developed through The Reef.  Several slot canyons contribute to the drainage scheme nature has contrived. 

In the vicinity of Goblin Valley State Park, about half way along The Reef, Little Horseshoe Canyon forms a spectacular series of slots.  From the base of The Reef, Little Wild Horse immediately narrows and soon becomes shoulder width and less.  The layers of sandstone show the effects of erosion with scoured and sculpted channels and broken steps where flash floods must cascade turbulent steps.

As with all drainage channels on the Colorado Plateau, water ultimately seeks the depths of the canyons cut by the great Green and Colorado Rivers which carry on to the sea.

Thirty or forty miles south and east of the San Rafael Reef slot canyons, another series drain into North Fork Wash.  Here the Navajo Sandstone yields to waters force along a series of slots given fanciful Irish names.  While traversing most of these requires technical rock climbing skills and equipment, the lower sections of them permit access to some very interesting, though small features. 

One of these may be found in the lower part of Leprechaun Canyon.  A sub-way water channel (a tube-like section) forces water through a very confined course that makes a hiker slog through standing water while crouched to make way.  Light entering this chamber reflects off the water and creates a gentle glow.  The other canyons in this series include: Butler Wash, a long complex of three forks, Blarney and Shillelagh, more technical canyons, and Lucky Charms, two short slots that can be climbed as a loop.  These remarkable, narrows developed along a natural seam in the Navajo Sandstone to drain an immense slick-rock area and funnel runoff through the confined depths. 

Utah

San Rafael Reef, Utah

North Wash, Utah