Zion National Park
The Zion Narrows
Zion Narrows Hike
The Top Down hike starts at Chamberlain Ranch, allowing you to see the canyon walls form before reaching the prettiest and busiest section, "Wall Street" (16 miles one way downstream, 1500ft gradual elevation loss)
Wading in the river itself is necessary in tighter portions of the canyon. One unavoidable section was neck deep in the September week I visited.
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Summer hiking would give the best experience for the Narrows, but other hikes in the park would be best in the spring and fall. Wetsuits as a general rule should be worn when the water temperature is less than 55
Log jam on the river from a flash flood
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Although done early in my hiking career, the Narrows remains as my favorite dayhike in America
West Rim Trail and Angels Landing
The West Rim Trail is Zion's other signature trail
Angels Landing coming into view, a side trip can be made if permits can be grabbed for both
I climbed from the Grotto Shuttle Stop in the valley and spent one night at the top to explore
The best views on the West Rim are between campsites 5 and 6
Similar to the Narrows, shuttles can also be arranged for a one way hike across the West Rim or even the entire Zion Traverse
Hop Valley and Langston Mountain
The Langston Mountain summit gives an excellent view of Kolob Arch and Gregory Butte
Unfortunately no easy way to the top - pictured here is the entrance to the mess of Langston Canyon
The route taken up the mountain, with waypoints marked for the drop offs in the canyon. The rock was loose and required extra caution on the descent, but fairly easy walking to the summit along the ridgeline after the climb. I stayed two nights at Hop Valley camp A to complete the climb
The Zion Subway
A popular destination that can be reached on the upstream hike from the Left Fork Trailhead (6.5 miles return, 600ft)
