Zion - Part Two: The Narrows

It was recommended to us by several friends to take trekking poles or a walking stick with us on our hike up The Narrows. We’re both REALLY glad we listened.

Hikes in just about every National Park are listed as the following: Easy, which are usually paved or well maintained and short with little to no elevation gain; Moderate, which are not for people with severe health problems and are generally more difficult with rougher paths and trails; and Strenuous, which can be very long, with little to no actual mapped out trail, large elevation gain or difficult and dangerous terrain.

The Narrows is listed as Strenuous.

Geoff, ready to take on The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

Not because it’s steep, but because it can be treacherous with flash floods and footing can be very tricky. Not the place for those with knee, back, hip or ankle issues. Good thing Geoff and I both have horrible ankles!! The entire hike is done in the river, so… you will get wet. In some places the water level is less than an inch deep and in others it is chest high. Wear good shoes, this is not the place for flip-flops or dress shoes. (Yes we saw both of those attempting this… they didn’t make it far) I wore my close-toed Keens and ankle braces and Geoff wore his open-toed Teva sandals. If I had good hiking boots I would have worn those. The water is cold and many people rented boots and neoprene socks from in town. In the heat wave we were experiencing I don’t think that was necessary but to each their own. Bring lots of water with you. We ran out on the way back and that sucked.

These are hands down the best shoes I've ever purchased. These Keens are life. They're comfy, even when wet, there was no blistering or "breaking in" period, they're light, tough, airy and leave some mean tan-lines. Love.
The Virgin River, Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.  

We ended up choosing a good day to tackle the hike as the day before was Saturday and the park was packed, it was also well over 100 degrees and that's just gross. The day after we did our hike there was a flash flood warning in effect from threatening thunderstorms and it was advised not to go into the canyon. So we lucked out! Hooray!

We decided to get up with the sun and arrived at Zion before 8:30am. We were at the trailhead by 10am and started the hike around 10:30am. It was just starting to get busy then and the further up the river we went the less people we saw. From the beginning of the hike to the Big Spring, which is where the trail ends for those without backcountry permits, is only 5 miles. Depending on your ability and your speed you can blow through this. We, however, took our time, enjoying the view and making damn sure we didn’t roll an ankle or skin a knee. We got back to the trailhead around 6pm. That’s 7 and a half hours in the water. We didn’t make it all the way to the end as my legs got tired of pushing against the flow of the river about half a mile from the end. I was slightly bummed about that but it wasn’t worth the exhaustion, possible injury and probable dehydration.

As you can see, the Narrows is VERY popular. It can get very busy. Hike early to avoid the heat and the people!
Zion National Park, Utah.

I really, REALLY recommend this hike to anyone who is able. Whether you wander up the river to the first bend or go all the way to the end this place in unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The steep cliffs shield you from the mid day sun in all but a few places. It’s fun to try and figure out the best route to take and the water is quite refreshing. There are holes and small caves to explore. Waterfalls and hanging gardens. Strange rock formations and sheer cliffs that seem to close in on you from out of nowhere. If you're claustrophobic this might not be the place for you, but I'd still encourage you to try it. We saw all walks of life from all over the world and every age from newborn to 92 enjoying this incredible place right here on earth. 

There isn't much I can really SAY about this hike. You really just have to SEE it. Many of the pictures came out a little fuzzy as I put my phone in a waterproof case, which I'm VERY glad I did! So without further ado; the pictures of our time in The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah. 

Even early in the day it was possible to find a spot in the river with no one. No noise but the river and the tall cliffs surrounding you. Amazing.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.

Geoff caught a stick floating down the river. He claimed it was a gift from the Virgin River... yup.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.

Click to open this up to zoom in. A panorama of one of the bends in the river/canyon. You can really see it start to narrow on the righthand side.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.

The water slowly eroding away this cliff face. when will it collapse in? Tomorrow? Next week? Next year? Next millennia? Who knows?
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

This is amazing!!!
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.

Playing in the light, Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

This is also amazing!! Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

This place is crazy. The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Don't forget to look up!! The appropriately named Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

It gets even smaller! The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

It's hard to get a sense of scale here. and the colors are so hard to capture. I love it
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Close up of the canyon walls, The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Geoff loving it in The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

The twisted rock that is The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Let's get even smaller!! The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Sometimes the riverbed is sandy, other times covered in pebbles, or large rocks.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Where the sun makes a regular appearance, trees cling to the cliffs trying not to be swept away in the next flash flood.
The Narrows, Zion National Park.

So cold. So clear.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Then... it got deep. The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

On our way back, near where we began, there were a group of climbers rappelling down this waterfall after a day of hiking and scrambling in one of the many hidden canyons.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah.

Geoff is done. We Made It!!! The Narrows? Check!!
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah. 

We are so glad we got to experience The Narrows. Even if we were completely exhausted by the end of it. We celebrated with a hotel room and a soak in the indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs. perfection. 

The following day we visited the amazingly creepy Grafton Ghost Town and took the mountain pass through the east side of Zion National Park which you can read about in our previous post about Zion: HERE.

Next post will be about our time in the impressive Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. Stay tuned!

We Made it!! Exhausted but proud of our days adventure.
Our Teton backpack and walking sticks. We love our hydration station and stuff carrier and at a far lower price than the famous brand, it's pretty much perfect! We debated getting trekking poles but the walking stick is just so much more classic. The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Till next time - Fair winds my friends!

Marsha and Geoff