Captivated Me

I first heard about the Narrows on a hike in Sedona four months ago. Fellow hikers raved about Zion National Park and the magic of weaving and wading along the river that courses through the narrowest segment of Zion Canyon.

Today was my opportunity to see what all the praise was about, and I was nothing short of stunned by the experience.

The day started at Zion Adventure Company, one of the multiple enterprises in Springdale – the sweet town just adjacent to Zion’s west most park entrance – offering rental gear for hiking the Narrows (along with many other excursions). Within the store, a screen sharing today’s weather and current conditions near the river, both reporting optimal conditions. The store itself had a light trickle of travelers passing through for gear; far fewer, I’m sure, than in the summertime. Helpful staff recommended a dry suit, lined with rubber gaskets, along with neoprene socks and boots and a walking stick – all to protect from the cold, rocky river trail. I rented the whole package and drove the short distance to the parking lot for the Riverside Walk – a short, paved hiking trail lining the Virgin River to the Temple of Sinawava, the point where river access begins.

‘Magical’ is an understatement in describing this magnificent hike. Maybe it’s the fact that I only saw around 5-10 people each way along the path during my 3-4 hours hiking it. Maybe it’s the way the cloudy skies turned blue and sunlight broke through over the canyon walls as the afternoon went on. Maybe it’s the challenge of hiking against the current along water-worn rocks lining the riverbed. Maybe it’s the waterfalls pouring from cliffs standing sky-high overhead, or the teal tinge of the river waters. Maybe it’s the mighty combination of these things that leaves people speechless, stunned, lost in wonder and joy at this experience – an adventure which, if you have the time and ability and inclination, I cannot recommend more highly.