Anyone been through Zions (and specifically the Subway) in the last week or so? Any color yet?
If you've been through in the past to shoot Autumn, what is the best time to catch peak colors?
I did the Narrows hike last week. I would say the first half of the hike, through to the campgrounds, have great colors. Yellows and reds, really quite beautiful. The second day I saw very little color at the lower elevations. Mostly greens, and some were starting to turn yellow. Not sure about the rest of the park, I only did the hike then left.
1. do i need a permit to hike the subway from below?
2. do i need a permit to hike the narrows? if so, from what directions?
3. is there a difference hiking the narrows from above vs. below?
1. do i need a permit to hike the subway from below?
2. do i need a permit to hike the narrows? if so, from what directions?
3. is there a difference hiking the narrows from above vs. below?
1 - Yes
2 - Not necessarily. You can hike it from the bottom to Big Springs sans permit. You do need a permit to do it from the top.
3 - Yes. From the bottom you go in and out the same terrain. From the top, you have to do a car shuttle. Top is the "real" way. Though if you just want to do photography, from the bottom is fine. I think it all looks completely different when you turn around and go back anyways. Plus, all the best stuff is pretty much near the bottom, minus a few things... Hiking against the current is harder too, but not a big deal.
I've always gone in November. Should be getting close in the next few weeks. I'll be in Kolob on Saturday, and can give you a better idea when I get back.
i am essentially going for photography purposes... is it as hard as it seems to get a permit for the lower subway route? i am flying into vegas form nyc on the 27th and I will be in Zion the afternoon of the 28th, the whole of the 29th and 30th. anyone have any recommendations as to what i should do? i really wanted to see the classic shots inside the narrows and the subway.
As soon as you get there go to the backcountry permits desk (near the visitor's center) and get a permit. I've never had a problem getting one for the next day.
thanks for the advice... sorry to have hijacked the thread. any recommendations for that first afternoon/early evening in zion assuming i will do the narrows the next day and the subway the day after? ...and Dan, your portfolio is amazing!
BTW, I went the first week of November last year, lots of nice color in the canyon, but the subway area was past peak. However that made for lots of good colorful leaves that had fallen onto the rocks...
that looks fantastic. approx what settings do you think u were using? anyone know the hike durations on the subway from below, the narrows in and out from below and narrows top down?
I am guessing an ND filter or two, AV mode f/13.0, ISO 100. That's what I'd do at least. A polarizing filter (in place of the second ND filter) may help to remove the glare from the water seen in the above image. I'd also take a Wal-mart sack to collect colorful leaves on your way there (oh come on, you know you've done it!).
The Narrows is 17 miles from the top to the TOS parking lot. If you plan to photograph alot, you better be on the early shuttle and you better hustle. Otherwise you better pack a tent. The water will likely not be above your knees at any point (unless you take a wrong step).
The Subway is 8 miles from the top to lower parking lot (I'd pack a wetsuit in November cause you're going swimming). I would not attempt this route without a guide on your first trip. It's about 5 miles (without swimming or route finding) one way from the lower parking lot. Travel times (vary based on load, group size, and conditioning) each way are similar as you are going up river but down hill on the way there and the opposite on the way back.
Either hike is not easy and I would pack your equipment accordingly. A dry bag, one body with new batteries and empty memory card, lens(es) that will cover your super-wide to 50mm range, filters, lightwt tripod, and shutter release should suffice. You will not need a zoom on these hikes, unless you happen to see an elk at the top of the Subway hike (you will hear them).
hmm i think i am going to do both of them from the bottom up and back, on sequential days (28th and 29th). on the 27th i will be in zion by mid day and i have no idea what to do with the afternoon/sunset other than head over to the local supply places and get a wetsuit or something like that and those 5-10 boots.
prcentauri1 wrote:
that looks fantastic. approx what settings do you think u were using? anyone know the hike durations on the subway from below, the narrows in and out from below and narrows top down?
From the bottom to the subway, plan on 2-3 hours. Plan on wet feet and lots of rock hoppin'. From the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs, plan on 4-5 hours up, 3-4 back. Plan on at least 12 hours from top to bottom of narrows.
I was there in the spring --- I just did a day hike from the bottom of the narrows up to get a feel for the place. I brought along a Lowepro Dryzone Rover bag --- it was perfect for a day hike. I was even swimming at one part, and the contents were nice and dry.
I was thinking about heading out there the wknd of Nov 1st as well, first trip out there. What kind of camping is out that way? I do have a tent (not sure of temps) but I'd rather be sleeping in the back of my truck on a nice futon mattress.
Can I just pull into some parking lots and spend the night or proper campsites?
Kurt
Subway from the bottom is somewhere in the 9-10 mile range round trip. It's pretty strenuous, probably the hardest hike I've ever done. Lots of route finding and some very steep trail at times. We got to the trailhead right after sunrise, arrived at the subway at about 11:30 or so. I'd say about a 3.5 hour trip... We were passed by a few people on the way so I wouldn't say we were the fastest, but we weren't the slowest either... The best light for the subway itself is a bright sunny day around midday. You're deep in a slot so you'll never get direct light, but getting nice bright direct light on the wall of the canyon just outside the "tube" will give you the nice glowing "tube".
You might want to bring a flashlight if you're planning the stay a while at the subway. We started back at 1:30'ish to ensure we made it back to the car before it got dark. We ended up getting back about 30min before sunset so we could have stayed a bit longer.
I'd also recommend trekking poles if you have them... They were very handy in the steep sections and in stream crossings.
In the fall the water is usually low enough that you don't have to get wet. But it's very easy to miss a step and be in the water up to your ankles or so...
My shot above was 3.2s @ f/20 with a 5D & 17-40L at 17mm. I did have a polarizer but with the wide angle, the glare in the foreground is basically a straight on reflection of the sky above so the polarizer couldn't completely eliminate it. I don't think I needed a ND, but can't really remember.
