Can we talk about hiking in slot canyons for stress relief?

Anthony Kim · 2026-02-28T19:20:47.255375+00:00

Getting out there calms my mind, but all the people can wear down the soft rock walls. Is the mental health worth the geologic wear?

karen_owens6mo ago

But HOW do we find that balance? Like, if we limit how many people can go, does that just make it an elite thing instead of a shared resource? Where's the line between protecting the rock and keeping the experience open for regular folks who need that calm too?

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the_parker6mo ago

Hot take: Peace now wrecks peace later. Seriously, Troy nailed it. If we love a place to death, there won't be any quiet left for anyone. The whole point is getting away from crowds and noise, but too many boots on the soft rock just turns it into another beat-up trail. We have to be smarter about it or we'll ruin the very thing we go there for.

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troy_bailey606mo ago

Man, here's a thing I don't see mentioned much. The damage to the rock isn't just a separate issue. If those walls get worn down and changed, the canyons lose what makes them special and quiet. That means fewer future places for that same calm you're talking about. So letting the wear happen might actually kill the long-term stress relief for everyone. Your peace now could cost all our peace later.

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