Hiking in Utah

Hiking in Utah!

For example, the Zion Narrows...

The Zion Narrows is the passage of the Virgin River through the Navajo sandstone in Zion National Park in southern Utah. The canyon narrows to around ten feet in places. The walls are hundreds of feet high.

This picture was taken in a side canyon. The irregular walls are called "flowstone." They arise from the action of turbulent water. Photos taken in July 1995.

A large amount of time is spent hiking in the river itself (around 70%). Plan on getting wet, especially in years when the river flow is high. All hikers in the narrows must attend an orientation lecture the day before, and total hikers per day is limited. You can do the whole 16 miles in one day if you're a hero. There are camping spots along the river for two-day hikers. You'll need water purifying equipment.

Here Brian and Gary (Bruce's sons, teenagers at the time) accompany Dominic Bria down a stretch of the river. Yeah, it gets deep in places. Take a waterproof camera.

Right: Brian makes his way down river. A hiking stick and good hiking shoes are required. (NOT sandals! 16 miles slipping on rocks will bloody your toes badly.)

Left: Gary does the cliff jump into a deep pool of the Virgin River. Don't do this unless you've carefully scoped the bottom!