I also am going to hike the Narrows on Oct 29th to the 30th (from the top down). Does anyone know if cold water gear is required to hike the Narrows at this time or will water be ankle deep ?
HaloGLC wrote:
I also am going to hike the Narrows on Oct 29th to the 30th (from the top down). Does anyone know if cold water gear is required to hike the Narrows at this time or will water be ankle deep ?
Hard to say. There will certainly be spots that are waist deep, and I've never done it without at least a swim or two. But, just depends on flow rates.
RMC cichlids wrote:
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
Yep. Mosquito Cove is where you want to go.
It is available south of Highway 9 between the towns of Virgin and Rockville at milepost 23.5. Often called Mosquito Cove, the place is a large and popular sandy area on the floodplain between the river and the highway. The locals are persistent - you've been warned. Please do your part to keep this area clean. No bathrooms, showers, or water is available here.
In November...if you are careful and good at route-finding, you will not be above your waist in the Narrows and you will not be above your ankles coming from the bottom to the Subway. If you aren't planning on being careful in the Narrows, practice your water log scrambling and breast stroke. I've seen it...it's funny stuff, as long as unprotected camera equipment isn't involved. If you aren't planning on being careful in the Subway, practice your water slide techniques. I haven't seen that, but I imagine it would also be funny.
Yes, there is a river under there, folks. Watch your step...or, like him, you might go right through. Kinda reminded me of the trash-compactor scene in Star Wars. I decided to back track 100 ft or so and scramble down the backside of the large, dry rock seen to the left.
As far as free, no hastle camping goes...the closest I've found to ZNP is just outside of Rockville. From the center of town, turn south onto "Bridge Rd" (it's the only one that crosses the Virgin River in Rockville). Veer to the right (west) shortly after crossing the river and parallel the river for approx 1 mile. Go left (south) at the next Y and look for a small drainage with several large cottonwood trees to the left. There are several free sites there on BLM land (you will likely see others camping there). I wouldn't recommend setting up the tent too close to the water with thunderstorms threatening, but they seem safe to me.
Thanks everyone for the great info and pictures, the subway looks incredible in all the pics so I'm sure it's well worth the hike even if i'm not in that great of shape.
I am concerned about the water tho, I have a great pair of hiking boots but thats about it. My camera bag isnt even waterproof. What are the chances of coming up to above ankle water levels from the bottom to the subway? during the 1st wknd of November
Kurt
thanks for the camping info as well
I have a rather odd approach that I use for all Zion canyoneering hikes:
I always wear very comfortable/light-weight Soloman brand closed-toe "river shoes". For the bottom approach to the Subway I will take three pairs of socks. One pair for the hike down to the river, a neoprene pair for the hike in the river to and fro, and then another dry pair for the hike back out (after wiping my feet/shoes dry with the first pair). Be careful, solely wearing the neoprene socks will cause some nasty blisters when walking on the dry, sandy land.
I greatly prefer this method over standard hiking boots and socks, which would become either water-logged or force you to lose alot of time route-finding and rock-hopping. With my approach, I can just trounce right through the river and the cool water feels great on my feet.
As far as your camera bag, I seriously don't think it will be a problem on the Subway hike. If you are worried about it, you can spend $0.25 and put your camera in a large freezer bag. If you are really worried about it (like me), you can spend $20.00 for a Sea-to-Summit dry sack from Cabelas (the 2XL (blue) one perfectly fits my small Lowepro hip case w/ 40D, wide-angle lens, filters, etc inside). Shove that thing into any old backpack and you can even submerge that into the water without a problem!
I'll be arriving in Zion early afternoon of Oct.31st and staying until the 3rd. I hope to camp at Watchman campground. If it is too cold then I guess I'll have to spring for a motel. I've never explored Zion and am there for photography. I don't want any strenous hiking. I don't mind getting a little wet in the Narrows though. How far up it do I have to hike to see the most scenic part? How should I plan my time for photographing in the best light in the various places around the park?
photog4fun wrote:
I'll be arriving in Zion early afternoon of Oct.31st and staying until the 3rd. I hope to camp at Watchman campground. If it is too cold then I guess I'll have to spring for a motel. I've never explored Zion and am there for photography. I don't want any strenous hiking. I don't mind getting a little wet in the Narrows though. How far up it do I have to hike to see the most scenic part? How should I plan my time for photographing in the best light in the various places around the park?
You picked the wrong place if you don't want strenuous hiking. Of course, depending on what you consider "strenuous." The narrows aren't really strenuous, but if you have weak knees or ankles, you could be in for a rough time. Besides the narrows, all other hikes have at least some degree of very steep hiking, including the subway.
Narrows, the most scenic part is quite long, perhaps 2-3 miles long. I consider it to be from the Orderville junction (about 1 mile up) to Big Springs, which is probably 5-6 miles up.
Hi Paul,
Your photo is gorgeous. How far & steep would I have to hike in the subway to see this type of scene? I'm a relatively physically fit woman in my 50's but have a little bit of knee problems so large amounts of steep climbs are hard for me.
Hi Paul,
Your photo is gorgeous. How far & steep would I have to hike in the subway to see this type of scene? I'm a relatively physically fit woman in my 50's but have a little bit of knee problems so large amounts of steep climbs are hard for me.
Then it's going to be difficult. You basically hike straight down into an oh-1000ft tall canyon formed by the Left Fork of the Virgin River. Then you hike for ~7 miles roundtrip along a river and then you have to climb straight back out. I consider myself in good shape and it takes me about an hour to climb out of the thing. If you left very early and took all day, you'd probably be fine. But sounds like you should plan on a light day the following.
bjrhodes01 wrote:
Then it's going to be difficult. You basically hike straight down into an oh-1000ft tall canyon formed by the Left Fork of the Virgin River. Then you hike for 8 miles in and along a river and then you have to climb straight back out. I consider myself in good shape and it takes me about an hour to climb out of the thing. If you left very early and took all day, you'd probably be fine. But sounds like you should plan on a light day the following.
It should be noted it is about 7 miles roundtrip, not one way. The only steep part is the very beginning going down, and the end, coming back up. It is very steep.
I think it works out to 9 miles RT. After about a mile or so of relatively level hiking you have to descend the cliff it's in the neighborhood of 750ft - 1000ft down, it appears to be nearly straight down. Carpey is right, on the way back it not only looks, but feels straight up.
The rest of the trip is along the creek, in some places its normal level trail, some places the trail disappears any you have to find your own way. In other places you have to hop across the water on rocks. In even other places giant boulders have clogged the stream causing deep water and small waterfalls, so you either need to scramble up and around the boulder (some were quite steep) or go swimming, I chose the scrambles.
It is usually possible in the fall to do the entire hike without getting wet. But you'll likely end up in some situations where you'll need to back track a little to find the dry route.
Just to add to the fun, once you make it to the end, everything is covered with a very thin layer of water and algae, it's very very slippery, in some places just like walking on ice.
I would recommend trekking poles for anybody, but especially if you have bad knees...
pbryan wrote:
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.
Are you serious? I've done this a number of times and the only "steep" part is from the trailhead into the bottom of the canyon, which isn't really that steep at all. The majority of the trail is either flat or has a very slight incline that is barely noticeable and is not the least bit technical. Just take your time and you will find a way around anything you think is too tough for you. And route-finding? Seriously? You're following a stream/river.... How hard can it be, really?
The only real hazard I can think of on the trail is to remind you to be careful when going up the red falls - slippery as hell! I had a great time sitting at the base watching people slip and slide all over the place.
I suppose it depends on your perspective. For some people the paved river walk trail at the end of the canyon drive is a long hike. For others the Appalachian Trail is a long hike. For me, the Subway hike was pretty difficult.
The route finding isn't about getting lost, obviously the stream goes where you are going, but more about finding the best way to follow it without just walking down the middle.
--Paul
nefarius wrote:
Are you serious? I've done this a number of times and the only "steep" part is from the trailhead into the bottom of the canyon, which isn't really that steep at all. The majority of the trail is either flat or has a very slight incline that is barely noticeable and is not the least bit technical. Just take your time and you will find a way around anything you think is too tough for you. And route-finding? Seriously? You're following a stream/river.... How hard can it be, really?
The only real hazard I can think of on the trail is to remind you to be careful when going up the red falls - slippery as hell! I had a great time sitting at the base watching people slip and slide all over the place. ...Show more →
nefarius wrote:
Are you serious? I've done this a number of times and the only "steep" part is from the trailhead into the bottom of the canyon, which isn't really that steep at all. The majority of the trail is either flat or has a very slight incline that is barely noticeable and is not the least bit technical. Just take your time and you will find a way around anything you think is too tough for you. And route-finding? Seriously? You're following a stream/river.... How hard can it be, really?
The only real hazard I can think of on the trail is to remind you to be careful when going up the red falls - slippery as hell! I had a great time sitting at the base watching people slip and slide all over the place. ...Show more →
Ive often wondered the same thing. I posted something here before I made my first trip and was prepared for a pretty bad hike, that is not what I found. Like you I found this hike a walk in the park. The first part of the trail at the bottom from the parking area is the worst, but its only a half mile at the most. The rest of the hike is flat following the creek upstream.
