The sun was shining and the winds were calm when we got up this morning, so we headed into Springdale to get wetsuit packages so we can hike the Narrows in Zion. We got a great deal on the rentals ($50 total for both of us) and headed into the park.
I have to admit---I was pretty anxious about doing this hike. The trail literally is the riverbed of the Virgin River that flows through Zion Park. The water temperature was about 40 degrees and we had seen some people the day before hit some areas of the river where the water was above their waists. I had also spoken to part of a Boy Scout troop that had completed the hike and a couple of their group fell completely into some deep holes in the river. I'm not that great of a swimmer and I really didn't want to take a big dunk in that cold water.
The hike follows the river up the canyon about 2 miles, until the canyon narrows to about 20 feet wide or less in spots. With the tall canyon walls on both sides, it showed how it got its name--The Narrows. The hike entailed making at least 20 river crossings and several spots where there were only the rock walls along the water....you literally walk up the river.
After the first 3 or 4 successful crossings, my confidence level rose and I really enjoyed this hike. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and we were some of the very few visitors to Zion that actually get to see it because taking this hike is the only way to get to it. We got some really cool photos, so check out the map!
We spent almost 5 hours hiking up and back out to the trailhead. I was pretty cold when we got out, but I have to admit that those wetsuits are pretty amazing at keeping out part of the coldness. (They also have special water shoes that prevent your feet from feeling the sharpness of the many rocks.) However, once we got out of the water, I got really cold. We headed to set up the van for the night and I tucked in early. Hopefully, a good night's sleep will warm me up.
No comments:
Post a Comment