We returned to Zion National Park this trip to hopefully hike The Narrows. Weather kept us from being able to safely do it a couple years ago. This time we timed it perfectly weather wise. This was our only objective for this visit.
We entered Zion NP via the EAST Entrance, so we got to drive Sadie through the tunnel! We fit without needing to pay the $15 for oversized vehicles. It was really cool to do that.
Heading down the curving road toward the _____ we could see one of the tunnel windows from the outside.
We went directly to Zion Adventures to secure the recommended equipment for our hike of The Narrows tomorrow. Zion Adventures was conveniently located across the street from Zion Canyon RV Park where we’d be staying again. We only needed to rent the neoprene socks with water shoes and a pole. (Waiters not needed in August!) We were set for our water hike adventure tomorrow! Weather forecast is perfect for the hike. So far so good!
Fueling with carbs for tomorrow’s hike?
We enjoyed the rest of afternoon and evening at our site.
We got up the morning of August 7, and drove directly to the Visitor Center where we would catch the shuttle to the last stop up the main road at “Temple of Sinawe” (Stop 9). Once we got a parking spot, we made our morning coffee, prepared ourselves and the backpack for the epic Narrows hike.
From the drop off we had about a 1.5 mile hike down to the river entrance. We entered the water at 8:50 am. Decent morning sunlight was important for the best pictures.
We hiked over rocks in and out of varying water depths for six hours! What an awesome experience! Challenging, but so worth the views and the complete experience! The following pictures, as with all pictures, never fully capture the depth and incredible beauty you experience in person.
The copper color was spectacular as it shimmered above the water.
This weeping wall was pretty cool and the unique cavelike erosion opposite it.
The water clarity was a blessing!
Splashing water onto the rock to “magically” remove light graffiti. Pretty cool how it worked!
We reached the “Y” and explored a bit up each direction. But when I wanted to go a little further up the “Y to the right”, Barry decided to wait here for me. Smartly he reminded me that we have to retrace our entire hike to get back. I assured him I was just going to go around the next bend – or two. It wasn’t anything unique or more spectacular so I was back within about 15-20 minutes.
I did notice with the return hike the water clarity wasn’t as good. I don’t know if the sun hitting it differently, and/or more people had stirred sediment up more, but together with our fatigue setting in, we had to be a bit more careful in foot placement.
We MADE IT – to the entry/exit point of the Narrows Hike! We were quite exhausted.
Since we still had the 1.5 mile (dry) hike uphill to the shuttle stop, I changed out of my water sock and shoes into my Birkenstock slides. Oh, yeah. Much better. It wasn’t much further uphill that Barry decided to take his off and slip into his Oofos. We were both glad I had packed them! (I put them at the bottom of the backpack where they kept the rest of the pack items elevated enough to hopefully stay dry.)
We were happy to sit down for the shuttle ride back to the Visitor Center where Sadie was waiting for us. My body ached–not just my back, and knees, but also my forearms and my right thumb from the thick, heavy-duty walking stick/pole.
We returned our gear on our way back to the RV park.
I suggested walking to the restaurant next door for dinner, but Barry was too tired to do that. He lit up as he remembered the large can of chili he put in our grocery cart a while back. He “made” the chili, and I cut up onions, shredded cheese and got out the sour cream. It was PERFECT! A great comfort meal and without having to leave the comfort of Sadie!
What an EPIC day! Hiking the Narrows had been on our Bucket List!
We tried to watch the Seattle Seahawks season opener, but NEITHER of us could stay awake! We needed sleep to be ready for more hiking coming up at our next destination…BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK