Our experience with the hike highlighted in this post has more of a story attached to it than many of our other hikes, and since it is one of Zion’s most famous and picturesque, we came away with photos too numerous to whittle down in order to share space in a post with others. The Narrows is, perhaps, the most famous slot canyon hike in the world. That doesn’t mean it’s the best or the prettiest, but what sets it apart from some of the others is that it takes place almost entirely in water and is accessible to anyone who wants to attempt it.
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| Here’s a preview. See what I mean? |
After weeks of waiting for the air temps to rise, and TBG tracking the river’s water level and flow rate (no hiking allowed when the flow rate tops 150 CFS) we were ready to head into the park’s main canyon again. We were prepared the night before, and our car was in line at sunrise, but we were not among the first 150 (!) cars to be allowed into the northernmost parking area. Discouraged but not defeated, TBG devised a Plan B for another attempt the following day.
We once again prepared again that night, got up at 0430, and were queued up at sunrise. Even though we were much further ahead in line than the previous day, we still didn’t make the cutoff to the upper lot. No problem due to TBG’s ingenuity! Though the road was closed to motor vehicles after the requisite number of cars was ushered through, it was wide open to walkers and/or cyclists. We weren’t keen on adding seven more miles of hiking,
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| but we just so happen to be cyclists. |
We easily found a parking spot across from the lodge (restrooms open!) and settled in to try to doze for a few hours while we waited for the air temps to warm up. Since we’d be in the chilly Virgin River for most of the hike, we didn’t need to add hypothermia to our to-do list. Area outfitters rent out special equipment for this hike, but after talking to a local guide who also works at our RV park, we felt confident we had sufficient gear in our hiking arsenal. We would highly recommend close-toed water shoes, wool or neoprene socks, hiking poles or a wooden stick, and quick-drying or waterproof clothing. Have something warmer for your torso, and don’t forget to waterproof anything you’ll be carrying with you in the event you take a drop in the drink.
It was tricky to ride while holding our sticks and without our bike shoes or padded shorts (yeowch!), but it was lovely to roll down the beautifully scenic stretch of road without having to worry about dodging traffic.
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| Bikes secured, we were ready to start the next stage of our duathlon! |
The hike itself begins with the mile long, paved Riverside Walk. When you reach the water, you just keep walking.
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| The trail officially becomes the river itself. |
There were segments, usually short, where it was possible to walk on the riverbanks instead of in the water.
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| Crossing a thigh-high but calm section towards dry ground behind that boulder. |
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| A short, but still rocky, reprieve. |
Most of the pictures will be of me because, although I did take my smaller camera to avoid potentially drowning my new one, it cannot compare to the photos TBG’s camera can capture. I still can’t believe he carried his big {expensive} camera.
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| TBG confidently showing off his camera-safe hiking skills. |
After a mile of river and shoreline hiking, we entered the section of the canyon known as Wall Street. It is so named because all shoreline disappears, and the canyon becomes nothing but solid wall on either side. Navigating through Wall Street requires being in the water exclusively with no exit to higher ground should one become necessary due to a flash flood. Hey, at least there aren’t any snakes!
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| Calm and bright. |
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| Turbulent and shadowed. |
The rocks were often slippery, so combined with the current and difficulty seeing into the water due to the turbidity or the sun’s reflection, each step was deliberate.
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| Even moving my stick was difficult in the rapids. |
The water was cool, but we were never too cold mostly due to the effort of moving and short breaks in sunny areas when possible.
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| Go towards the light! |
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| Imlay Boulder |
Most people go about two miles upriver (three total including the paved Riverwalk) before turning around, and that was our plan, as well.
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| This was not far from where we turned around. |
We would’ve loved to continue to Big Springs where there are waterfalls, but that required some boulder-scrambling and a couple more miles of river-fighting, which would’ve been foolish for us to add to our already arduous day.
Our usual m.o. of having our biggest nourishment at a hike’s turnaround point wasn’t feasible on this one. We’d had a few breaks on the way in where it was possible to rest on the shoreline, and where we could keep safely away from other hikers, but we had to hike a ways back before we could relax again unless we wanted to stand in deep water for our lunch. We didn’t want that.
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| An unlikely snackin’ spot. |
See that balanced rock? That’s about where we plopped ourselves in the wonderfully warm sun to refuel, and dry out our socks a little.
On the hike out, we’d seen a girl swimming through a deeper go-round of the trail, and on the return we jumped in for our own dip.
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| Does this count as my second triathlon? |
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| Or TBG’s first? |
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| Look. Smell. Listen. Feel. |
Reviewing the photos afterwards can take our breath away all over again and make us marvel at the fact we were there.
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| River hiking, now with tired legs and sore feet! |
We made it back to dry land without falling or dropping anything vital into the water. The paved trail was blissfully easy after the constant push of the river, and the heat was made tolerable by our soggy socks and shoes. The bike ride back to the lodge was once again very pretty, but very hot, and we got blasted by such a headwind a couple times that we were literally pedaling to stand still. Exhaustion made us punchy, and we laughed and laughed.
I have no map to show you since our tracker doesn’t play nice when traveling between towering rock walls, but the distances are well-known for this hike, and it is safe to say we completed 7 miles of biking, 6 miles of hiking, and about 15 feet of swimming.
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| Not bad for a day’s work, eh? |
COMMENTS
I’m so glad that TBG was brave enough to bring along his expensive camera for hiking through the river on slippery rocks against the current, LOL. No danger there! Your photos are just spectacular and give me a good idea of the fun that awaits us when we manage to get back to Zion. Thanks for the excellent tips on the hike!
The crowds have been big even with a pandemic and limited access. Zion gonna Zion, I guess. At least 150+ weren’t all doing the Narrows hike. We’ve talked about going back in just to bike. With no shuttles clogging up the roads, it’s the perfect time to do it.
TBG likes to do things that keep my heart pumping, in all manner of things, that’s for sure! Good thing he’s tall 😉 ❤
We have definitely slowed down our pace overall, trying to be more mindful of everything around us. It’s also the best critter-spotting advice I could give to anyone 😀
Well TBG has the advantage in bringing his camera with him, his height!