Zion - The Narrows

Our expectations were understandably high.

The Narrows of Zion has been described as “possibly the best hike in North America”. Stop and think

about that for a minute. Of all the beautiful trails with all incredible scenery in all of Canada, the US and

Mexico, this is the best? Think of everything that includes!

It includes hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It includes hiking across an Alaskan glacier. It

includes hiking through the jungles of Mexico and the over the snow-capped peaks of Banff. It includes

the West Coast Trail, the Appalachian Trail and all the trails in Yosemite, Yellowstone and 489 other

National Parks. The best hike in North America? That is a lofty position to hold.

Now let me tell you why it is very likely true.

While every hike is indeed different and unique in its own way (and therefore difficult to compare),

there are two things that I believe most serious hikers are looking for at the end of the day: a sense of

accomplishment, and memory card full of photos… and this hike delivers both in abundance.

Zion National Park attracts millions of visitors every year. All of them are there to see one main

attraction: Zion Canyon. Sure the mouth of the canyon is beautiful with its sheer multi-colored cliffs

and lofty peaks, and sure there are side canyons and waterfalls and hanging gardens and river walks. At

the end of the day however, all of those are just a side show to the Narrows – that part of the canyon

where the walls are only 20 to 30 feet apart and over 2000 feet high.

Sadly, 99% of the visitors to the park never venture past the view point into the Narrows at the end of

the paved road. Yet, even though they have had only tiny peek into the first few hundred feet of the

Narrows - they go home and rave about it. And so people keep coming back - more each year than the

year before.

This hike takes you beyond the view point and into the very bowels of the canyon – as far as you have

the time and energy to go. And it seems to just get better and better around each corner.

Fortunately it is not an easy hike or everyone would do it. (Though there are still far too many people

for our liking.) There is no trail – this is a canyon with water from wall to wall, so you are hiking right

IN the river. Your footing is on slippery rocks in murky water. Much of it is shallow but crossing some

portions requires wading up to your waist or even swimming - and the water is cold (oh so cold…). Most

parts of the canyon go all year without direct sunlight.

Fortunately that is enough to keep the hordes of sneaker wearing, camera toting tourists away.

Claustrophobia? Bum knee? No change of clothes? Forget about it, chump. Didn’t bring your

canyoneering boots, a wet bag and a hiking stick? Might as well turn around now, Shirley.

It is a challenging hike. But oh the reward for the effort!

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. ~ Psalm 9:1

…and this was just the day hike up from the bottom. We have a permit for early November to hike the

entire 16 miles of canyon - starting at the top, overnighting in the canyon and hiking out the next day. I

think that dezerves a little Woop Wooop!

Up next… The Subway. (Don’t miss this one!)