When people visit Zion, I tell them they must hike The Narrows. It’s a huge slot canyon that the Virgin River has carved over millions of years. It’s not necessarily a hike as much as it’s a ford. You’re hiking in the river 80 percent of the time. So bring a pair of your old hiking shoes and a hiking pole for stabilization. And of course a good camera. These images are from this past summer.
Named after Zion National Park’s superintendent, Walter Ruesch, these switchbacks were constructed in 1926. These series of 21 switchbacks lead to the diabolical Angel’s Landing trail but you better be in decent shape to conquer both.
Based on a tip from a good friend, we tackled this trail last week at Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park. A hidden gem, this trek is located in the southern end of the park. Not many people frequent this trail that winds it way through washes and up and onto Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold. We saw numerous arches, unusual sandstone formations and signs of springtime flora. This 9 mile loop trail included third class climbing to the rim view of Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold.
My friend and photography protege Alison at the trailhead.
Penstemon
Saddle Arch
Lupine
Cliffrose
Waterpocket Fold
Buckskin Gulch along the Arizona/Utah border is the longest slot canyon in the United States. I’ve never completed the whole thing but just a few miles into this abyss is enough to gather some good images. I dragged some friends along who made for some pretty good models(No Royalties Due) and for a good sense of scale. It’s about 13 miles and ends at the Paria River which together make a great backpacking trip.
Zion National Park is a hiking park. The Narrows and Angel’s Landing are the two most popular but The Subway Hike is probably third. You do need a permit to do this hike but it is worth the effort. Here’s a link to the permit process Subway Permit Process There are two ways to hike The Subway, one from the top down which requires rappelling and from the bottom up. The following images are from the bottom up hike. This hike is about a 6 mile round trip and will take from 6 to 9 hours. The trail follows the left fork of North Creek. On a hot day, its great to strap on some water boots and slosh through the creek instead of hiking besides it.
When visitors to Zion National Park ask me what hike they should try, I tell them if they aren’t afraid of heights and adventure, you must conquer the diabolical Angel’s Landing. I’ve completed it 3 times but see no reason to risk my life again. The peak was named by a Methodist clergyman, Frederick Vining Fisher, who thought that ‘only an angel could land on it’ although I made it.
The National Park Service offers plenty of warnings.
It’s a 2 1/2 mile climb from the trail head at The Grotto to reach the summit but it’s the last 1/2 mile where the trail gets its reputation. The NPS has carved steps into the sandstone and added chains to aid your ascent but danger still abounds.
