With many options and facts to consider for hiking Tim and I had to decide on which hike to take today here in Zion. We narrowed it down to two - Angels Landing or The Narrows.
Hmmm ... Angels Landing has had 6 deaths since 2004. The Narrows just two. Then with more research we discovered the hike we took yesterday has had seven. OK! Good to know. After a pain staking decision we chose . . . The Narrows.
The Narrows is an eight hour 9.4 mile hike. To get there we took the shuttle all the way to the end to the Temple of Sinawava stop. The first mile is an easy paved trail through the narrowing canyon of the Virgin River.
Next comes the fun and excitement! Now it becomes sixty percent hiking in the 55* water of the Virgin River. I had my doubts that I would be able to continue once I entered the water. However after ten minutes your feet go numb, then around fifteen minutes in you forget about the pain all together.
If you take yesterday's best hike and multiply it by ten you might come close to today's adventure. Some rate this as one of the best hikes in North America. The hike was a challenge but not for an elevation incline/decline ... cold water, strong current and rough rocky terrain.
We did seven hours door to door on our hike today. Our guess is just over five hours on the trail. As our turn around time approached we kept saying 'Not until after the next curve in the river.'
I grew up camping and so loved it. Then once I became old enough to discover shinny Airstreams that became my dream. Then the dreams transpired into the trips Airstreams were made for.
This trip and especially today became that dream. It has far exceeded the dreams that inspired it. After returning to base Camp we walked over to the Zion Canyon Brew Pub to enjoy the sunset, a light dinner and a cold brew after our crazy day of hiking!
This is my favorite hike ever. We've done it twice and that "not until after that next curve" thing is a very familiar feeling. :)
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