Adventure Chronicles
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Conceived by winds and water, slot canyons are rare in number and intricate in form. Deeper than they are wide, they are mysterious and inviting, Providing a refreshing escape from scorching desert heat along with wavy overhangs, sculpted hallows, and cold water pools. They can also be deadly, laced with climbing obstacles and capable of swallowing hikers in explosive flash floods. Once down inside them there’s often no easy way out. Still, don’t let that stop you - slot canyons can change your perspective of the earth in a way few landscapes can.
Hiking the Zion Narrows
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Hiking the Zion Narrows:
Walking in the shadow of its soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens can be an unforgettable Wilderness Experience.
The world’s largest concentration of slot canyons can be found on the sandstone terraces of southern Utah’s Colorado Plateau. The home of Zion National Park. The Virgin River has carved a spectacular gorge in the upper reaches of Zion Canyon: 16 miles long, up to 2000 feet deep, and at times only 20-30 feet wide. The Zion Narrows is best know of the bunch of slot canyons.
Hiking along- and often in- the North Fork of the Virgin River through its length is the only way to experience its grandeur. The Narrows is one of the few non-technical slot canyons in Zion National Park, meaning that no ropes, or other climbing and protective hardware are required. But once you’ve hiked through a slot canyon it’s likely you’ll next want to descend or climb into many more. Canyoneering is like many adventure sport very dangerous and proper training and experience should be acquired before heading out on your own.
It is virtually impossible to get lost in this adventure as the river is your route. You’ll spend more than haft of the hike walking, wading , and occasionally swimming in it. You can day hike a portion of the Narrows up stream from the park’s Temple of Sinwaave, the point along the Virgin River where the large Zion Canyon constricts into the lower Narrows, but doing so misses out on many of the best sights. The only way to the the entire Narrows is from top to bottom, either as a tough one-day slog or a more enjoyable overnight adventure.
To hike the length of the canyon you will need a NPS backcountry permit plus a camping permit if using one fo the twelve numbered campsites located in the middle section of the Narrows. The hike is most popular from May to September. From October to April you’ll want a wet or dry suit to help combat the icy waters, but this can make for quite an adventure.
To enjoy the beauty of Zion in Southern Utah. It is one the the most beautiful National Parks you will ever lay your eyes upon.
Portions of this text were taken from Rough Guides Adventures, NPS.Gov
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