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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
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Steve:
I'm doing a dayhike through the Narrows. They have walk-in reservations, but they also reserve a certain number of spots online. If you go through the NPS website, look for Zion, then follow the links to get to permit reservations. A calendar should pop up (you kind of have to dig through the site looking for this), and when I tried initially last week, it wasn't working. It'll specify whether reservations are available or not, and the charge is $5.
-Laura
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
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I was in Zion about this time last year and it is amazing! I did the Narrows from the top down in two days. If you do this I highly recommend renting a dry suit and river shoes. I did not have the dry suit and I was really cold on the second day when you have to go through some deep water.
The other overnight hike that I did was the West Rim trail one way from Lava Point down to the valley with a side trip to Angel's Landing. This was better than the Narrows in my opinion. The views from up on top are spectacular. There are several campsites very close to the rim of the canyon that I would try to get if you can. On the way down, drop your pack and it is a short side trip to climb the cables to A.L. If you don't want to do any overnight hikes then do A.L. as a dayhike and do the Narrows from the bottom up as a dayhike. Just go in for 3-4 miles and then turn around when you want. The best part of the Narrows is the lower portion anyway. Have a great time.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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If your in Death Vally, you've gotta climb Telescope Peak, if you don't have the time for that Wildrose Peak is a small climb that starts right there at the kilns (2 hour climb).
Either is accessable form Mohagany Flats road (dirt 6-10 miles from Wildrose Rd.)
If you come from the south, go thru Trona up the back way into the valley (good fun), on your way in you'll see a weather station off to your right, if you turn there you'll come to an old town at the center of which sits (what the locals claim) is Charley Mansons last truck, still painted in full psychdellic colors. Just a footnote, but it is rather eery so I thought I'd throw it in here.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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sounds like you've already heard the ins-and-outs about the narrows and angels landing...two great suggestions. I was in Zion this past weekend relaxing before i head up to whitney this weekend for the day hike. They're both easy hikes, but absolutely amazing, and both are a mistake to pass up if you're there. I saw that you have four days there though. The narrows should take 1 if you do the thru hike at a moderate pace, and angels landing only takes a few hours (took 2 1/2 round trip). So, for the rest of your time there are two pretty strenuous hikes if you want more of a challenge. Both the East and West Rim hikes are both excellent. They bring you up onto the plateau of the canyon on the rims and you hike along them for a ways. Even just a quick there and back is a great hike...check em out. For the narrows, deifnitely rent the water shoes at Narrows Outiftters...and for some food suggestions, Oscar's Cafe is awesome and has some good micro brews, while the Spotted dog is a little more expensive, but great food also. Enjoy!..Zion's one of my favorites.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
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Nesta:
You're the bomb! I'll be sure to hit the microbrew restaurant while I'm there, maybe Friday nite after I do the Narrows. Even if I just pick up a few to bring back to my campsite!
I'll check out the rim trails for sure. I was thinking about the Overlook, too, but I want to really enjoy my time, not get too strenuous since I've never been to Zion and I want to explore some.
I'm picking up a good pair of water shoes I just bought from REI tonite. Maybe some neoprene socks, too, to help keep out the cold.
Thanks for the info!
-L
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Joined: Sep 2006
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sounds like a good idea to not pack too much in...If you're anything like me, it is such a relaxing and amazing place that I could chill in my campsite an entire day and be happy. The south campground and watchman's are awesome...right on the virgin river with the walls of the canyon standing out in the background. Just a quick thought on the shoes, I'm sure they do, but make sure they have a hard sole. My buddies bought a cheap pair of teva ripoffs with a flexible sole and were in some serious pain throughout the hike...every step is on rocks of all different shapes and sizes. That's all for my suggestions though, I'm sure you've got it all under control...I just love talkin about Zion!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
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Posts: 2,391 |
I know what you mean, Nesta, about sittin' in the campsite whiling the day away. I actually have a riverside spot in Watchman, and I can't wait for evenings by the fire with my journal and a glass of wine listening to the river and the quiet noises of the campground (generators, HAH!). I can't wait to explore this new place for me!
Yes, the Teva's have good soles. I've actually been wearing them to walk to work and during my workouts for the past few days to break them in. I agree: gotta keep da feets happy during long treks!
-L
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