Zion: Our Final Day--- The Narrows
Our Last Full day at Zion…. And My Heart was heavy, knowing I would need to leave this incredible place….
We woke to another VERY crisp Morning- Coffee in hand, we started layering up, knowing that this day, we would be in water- In the Narrows.
It was another beautiful drive into the park, the sky painting the sandstone in deep gold, moon so bright overhead… We arrived so early that the parking was perfect to camp the car for the whole day- Suited up, and hitting the 1st Shuttle.
The trick to avoiding the crowds on this momentous hike, get out EARLY! We rented water boots from one of the outfitters the day before, so everything was ready in the car, as we knew 5am would feel brutal! (If you are visiting Zion though, I would say, just wear some old sneakers, or water shoes- We hated the boots and wish we had just brought something to trek in!) We also opted for no waders, and I’m so so happy for that! Yep, a bit chilly at first (it was May and the River was still rolling down snow melt from the North)but once you get moving, you warm up a bit, and dont have the added tug of those big pants….
Even with hitting the early shuttle, we were with a small crowd- I will say though, this was NOTHING compared to the amount of people we saw on the way back! We were dropped at the Temple of Sinawava, then walked along a path that leads down to the opening of the Hike.
First steps in the cold water did have us shaking! But the views distract you from the cold- the quiet, the euphoric environment, the filtering light- well that just motivates you to to the core… Let’s Go.
As you move through the Virgin River, there are a couple of areas the water gets high- One spot we crept through shoulder deep water, holding our bags and sticks overhead! Once past that though, the crowd thinned so much, it felt like we had the Narrows to ourselves…. It was absolute magic- Bliss.
This place is a Playground, a Hike I would do over and over again…. Next time, we will go farther, deeper, maybe in warmer conditions! Maybe in Autumn…. oh to Dream.
By lunch we were famished- So back on the shuttle to our car- a quick change out of wet clothes, return the gear to the Outfitters Shop, and a walk downtown to get FOOD and do some shopping…. The Native American Art Shops, oh my golly, incredible. I actually teared up walking into one where we bought a small tapestry for the house…
The sky was raining these soft little puffy flowers- it was like Snow….
The rest of the afternoon, we just cruised around the park and surrounding areas, slowly making our way back to the tent…. Stopping at many of the pull off areas, taking a short walk, admiring, soaking in, holding onto the scenery- Talks of our “Next Trip Here!”
Yep, had to leave behind a small Granola Marker ;)
The whole trip, I was asking Dear Zion to show me some Big Horn Sheep- I have never seen one in the wild, and I had read they are abundant this time of year in the Park… Surely enough, on our trip out, there they were… We pulled to the side of the road and watched them for about an hour- 20 of them… Large Rams, butting heads- mamas with their young…. High up on the ridge, settling in for the Night. On Guard of their Home. It was AWESOME.
This Park is so special, this part of the States more epic than I imagined… Its such a Big Wide World, I feel like I will never see enough of it in 2 lifetimes…. This place though, we will be back. We will explore more- we will venture further. She imprinted on my heart, and all I can say, if you read this, GO. Go visit. Go Journey. Go to the National Parks- They will leave you in Awe- they will fill your heart.
Till next time friends- xoxo