#176: The Zion Narrows Revisited
The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the most iconic hikes in the American West. We recently returned to the park to hike the Narrows for the third time, and it’s been a while since we last talked about it on this podcast. Our first Narrows episode was episode 6, six years ago, so we figured it was time for an update.
If you would like information about other activities in the park, check out the Substack article we published recently: Our 10 Favorite Things to Do in Zion National Park
The Narrows is a section of Zion Canyon where the Virgin River carves its way through walls that rise over a thousand feet and push in on each other, sometimes as close as thirty feet apart. There's little trail in the traditional sense. The river is the trail for about sixty percent of the hike, which makes it one of the most unique walks anywhere.
In this episode, we talk through the bottom-up route that starts at the end of the Riverside Walk at the far north end of the canyon’s scenic road. It’s a ten-mile round trip that needs no permit and no GPS; there’s really no way to get lost on this hike. We share how long it took us, how deep the water got, and what it was like returning fourteen years after our first visit.
We also discuss how much Zion has changed. Visitation has nearly doubled since 2010. We describe our experience catching the very first shuttle going up canyon at 7:00am on the day of our hike and the size of the crowds waiting in line with us.
And because preparation makes or breaks this one, we cover what to wear, why neoprene socks were a game changer for us, the case for a hiking stick, and our honest take on whether to bring the kids.
If you're planning to hike The Narrows, this episode is for you, with practical tips throughout to help you make the most of your day in the river.
A couple more helpful links:
Here you can find out the current conditions and flow rates for the North Fork of the Virgin River.
And for more information about this hike, here is the park’s webpage about The Narrows.
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