Zion Narrows

Here are a few shots from skiing Sundance Ski Resort in Utah County, Utah along with some pictures of the Narrows Hiking Trail in Southern Utah.

Zion Narrows

Trailhead – After setting up transportation, drive toward the east entrance of Zion National Park. From the gate it is 2.5 miles to the turn-off for the North Fork Road. Follow the North Fork Road for 5.5 miles, the next 13 miles to the sign indicating the trailhead will be dirt and gravel. Do not attempt to drive this road after a rain or snowstorm as the clay content makes travel difficult or even impossible. On the way north, Birch Hollow is bypassed at 8.5 miles, Orderville Canyon at 12.5 miles and a wooden bridge crosses the North Fork of the Virgin River at almost 18 miles. After the bridge, turn left onto the less traveled road leading to Chamberlain’s Ranch, closing the gate behind you. Drive a little further, taking the left fork in the road to get to the parking area for the Zion Narrows, which is adjacent to the North Fork of the Virgin River. Locate the NPS information sign just above the parking area. The route crosses the river and follows a dirt road for the next 3 miles as it traverses privately owned meadows, sadly slated for development in the future. Through previous agreement with the landowners, the NPS has been able to maintain access to the trail. Please respect the rights of the owners and don’t abuse their land by straying from the trail or leaving trash. Zion Narrows – The road ends and a short beaten path drops into the river. The next 12 miles involves zigzagging in and out of the water so be sure to put all valuables into your dry bags. Keep eyes peeled on the right bank, during the next half-mile for a 50′ jug handle arch. Beyond the arch, Navajo sandstone walls progressively elevate and several narrow sections begin to suggest the “flavor” to come. Soon, deep side canyons make their entrance and the first of twelve campsites are seen. A seemingly impassable waterfall is encountered about 7 miles into the hike but simply walk up the left embankment and pass through the cleft in the rock. Never jump off anything while in a canyon. Serious injuries have resulted in the past from hikers plunging from the top of the 20′ waterfall into the pool below. As you continue down the canyon , high walls rise on either side and filtered sunrays cast shadows and reflect mystical colored light. The confluence of Deep Creek and the North Fork of the Virgin River appear at the halfway point of the hike. http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm