This is one of the best hikes in the world complete with fighting your way upstream, hiking through the canyon walls, and being westbound.
I have been putting off this post for months because I have been trying
to find a way to describe the Narrows that does it a ounce of justice but it seems impossible to do.
So instead I am here to suggest how to complete this hike because I have already spent enough hours online searching for both of us to make sure we took the right bus and stayed at the best location.
The Narrows are located in Springdale, Utah. A one street town built along side breathtaking views. If you have the time, we met many families completing the "Grand Circle Road Trip" that will allow you to hit each National Park in the Arizona and Utah area. This includes Zion, Bryce Canyon, The Arches, Canyonlands, and the Grand Canyon - and it sounds INCREDIBLE. But, I'm not here to add anything to my #bucketlist, because it is time for ZNP to be OFF!
For a quick trip to the Narrows, fly into Las Vegas and rent a car to drive the 3 hours to Zion National Park. Once to Springdale, there is no traffic allowed in the park so drop your car at the hotel and grab the free shuttle bus that runs through town. If you keep straight through Springdale (remember it's a one street town) you will dead end into the Visitor's Center where you can pick up the shuttle and continue stopping at each of the trail heads. If you want to take a break and grab some views from the road, the round-trip shuttle trip takes about 1 hour.
P.S. - The visitor center does fill up quickly but do check for a spot before waiting for a bus in town. They don't come as often in Springdale and you want to spend as much time on the trails as possible!
Ride the shuttle until the last stop called "Temple of Sinawava" and walk a mile on the paved pathway until you reach the river's edge. We hike the BOTTOM-UP Day hike and fought the river the whole way up. Everyone congregates at the bank to play in the sand and to work up their courage but it starts off rather shallow depending on the time of year, rain, and run-off. So instead I am here to suggest how to complete this hike because I have already spent enough hours online searching for both of us to make sure we took the right bus and stayed at the best location.
The Narrows are located in Springdale, Utah. A one street town built along side breathtaking views. If you have the time, we met many families completing the "Grand Circle Road Trip" that will allow you to hit each National Park in the Arizona and Utah area. This includes Zion, Bryce Canyon, The Arches, Canyonlands, and the Grand Canyon - and it sounds INCREDIBLE. But, I'm not here to add anything to my #bucketlist, because it is time for ZNP to be OFF!
For a quick trip to the Narrows, fly into Las Vegas and rent a car to drive the 3 hours to Zion National Park. Once to Springdale, there is no traffic allowed in the park so drop your car at the hotel and grab the free shuttle bus that runs through town. If you keep straight through Springdale (remember it's a one street town) you will dead end into the Visitor's Center where you can pick up the shuttle and continue stopping at each of the trail heads. If you want to take a break and grab some views from the road, the round-trip shuttle trip takes about 1 hour.
P.S. - The visitor center does fill up quickly but do check for a spot before waiting for a bus in town. They don't come as often in Springdale and you want to spend as much time on the trails as possible!
There is a possibility of flash flooding that can occur on this hike. Updated information can be found throughout town and I was so worried about the need to judge water speed before we arrived - insert your laughing here - but the trail will close if the threat is too great and the shuttle will not let you off. So, off you go!
But just in case, look for big boulders to save you!
Since we hiked in late October, I recommend waders or dri-fit pants to keep out the cold on the length of the hike. It will be at least 3 hours before you reach "The End of Wall Street" - a section of the hike that day trippers will turn back, which means you will have 3 hours hiking back with a strong possibility of the sun going down and intimidating canyon walls that cover must of the river with shadows anyways.
Other helpful items were protein bars, walking sticks, and canyon boots. None are necessary for the day but were helpful when you are forging the river up to your waist and higher. So be careful with little ones - and your cell phone.
This is an incredible hike and I have now added the THRU- HIKE to my #bucketlist - seriously there is no hope of getting it off. When you arrive in Springdale, there are several outfitters that are friendly and more than willing to help to answer any (and ALL) questions you have.
Getting an early morning start isn't necessary but it allows for a nice opportunity to experience the river to yourself and a lack of eyes for those initial slippery falls!
Thank God for walking sticks.
And, remember that West bound trips are a necessity if you are not blessed with living here. Growing up in Montana is not something that leaves you easily and my heart aches until that moment I fly West. It is my home and my heart swells under the weight of my happiness.
But until then, we hike.
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