Hiking The Narrows Top Down, October 2025 скачать в хорошем качестве

Hiking The Narrows Top Down, October 2025

What an incredible hike. I completed The Narrows, top down, on October 16, 2025. My total mileage came to 24.6 miles. I used Red Rock Canyon Shuttles, and Torrey was an absolute legend, somehow navigating the deeply rutted, muddy, clay-filled road to get us to the trailhead. We left Springdale at 6 a.m. and reached the trailhead around 8. After dropping off a couple at the Mystery Canyon trailhead and another hiker at Orderville, it was just me and a Turkish couple by the time we arrived at Chamberlain Ranch. The morning was cold, and I briefly regretted choosing shorts, neoprene socks, and rental shoes instead of a full dry bib. Once I started walking the first three miles along the dirt road, I began to warm up and feel better. Around mile three, the canyon started to take shape as the trail followed the Virgin River, with the cliffs growing steeper and more defined with each turn. You quickly fall into a rhythm, alternating riverbanks to stay on dry ground whenever possible but often wading across the current. The first 60–70% of the hike consisted of ankle- to mid-shin-deep crossings. The neoprene socks worked perfectly, trapping a thin layer of water that warmed against my skin and made constant wading surprisingly comfortable. The first 45 minutes were spent leapfrogging with the Turkish couple, but once I found my pace, I was alone for most of the day—over seven hours of solitude in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The Narrows is unlike any hike I’ve done: towering 1,000-foot sandstone cliffs, lush vegetation, and the ever-present sound of rushing water echoing through the canyon. I knew from the start that the “16-mile” AllTrails route would actually run closer to 21–22 miles with all the zigzagging. With the last shuttle leaving the Temple of Sinawava at 7:30 p.m., I needed to keep a steady pace. After many hours, I reached the beautiful springs that mark the endpoint for bottom-up day hikers. The water appeared to burst directly from the canyon wall, a perfect spot to stop and have a snack. As the day went on, the views only grew more dramatic, especially in the final quarter of the hike. I managed to avoid deep water for most of the day, but one wide section forced a full wade. Poking ahead with my walking stick, I realized it was going to be chest-deep. I sealed my waterproof pack and pushed forward through about 15–20 feet of cold, chest-high water (I’m 6’5” for reference). It turned out to be the only truly deep stretch of the entire route, and honestly, it wasn’t that bad. In a few spots, the sand became extremely fine and silty, creating a quicksand effect that trapped my feet several inches deep. One moment caused a bit of panic, but I managed to free myself without falling. A walking stick is essential here, not only for balance but for probing the water depth and bottom texture before each step. Water levels were higher than usual due to two days of rain before my hike. Even though flash floods were listed as “not expected,” I suspect the recent weather kept most hikers away. As a result, I had the canyon almost entirely to myself, an incredibly rare gift. After a full day of crossing and recrossing the Virgin River, I finally began encountering more people, signaling the approach to the end. The canyon gradually widened, the river slowed, and soon I reached the paved path leading to the shuttle stop. I arrived at 6:30 p.m., one hour before the last shuttle departed. My AllTrails read 24.6 miles after 10.5 hours of hiking. It was a strenuous day and not something I’d recommend unless you can maintain a solid pace for over 20 miles. For most people, the bottom-up version might be more enjoyable since you can turn back whenever you’d like. I reached Zion Outfitters around 7:15 p.m., returned my rental gear, and paid $5 for a much-needed shower. Afterwards, I devoured a burger at Zion Canyon Brew Pub before heading back to my camp setup in La Verkin. An unforgettable experience. If I were to do it again, I’d consider backpacking the route to slow down and enjoy it even more. Having the Narrows nearly to myself was something truly special.