THE NARROWS – ZION NP

Let me explain this new category on the blog entitled “D.I.T.R.” or Diamond in the Rough. Perhaps this is my generalist category…my catch-all…my chance to talk about some lesser-known travel gem that I really enjoyed. I will try to avoid the major attractions. Or, if it involves a major attraction, I will focus on some lesser-known part of the attraction that struck me as a diamond in the rough. Or, it will just be some obscure or unknown site that I wanted to share with you. To get things started, I offer up the NARROWS hiking trail in Zion National Park, Utah.

The Narrows is the farthest point on the shuttle bus run that takes you around the park. Zion Park is one big, beautiful canyon. And, as the name implies, the canyon narrows down to the tightest distances as you enter The Narrows. The river cuts through the Narrows. The canyon walls go magnificently, straight up for a hundred or more feet. The river IS the trail. You must walk through inches and often feet of water to work your way up the canyon. The footing can be tough at times, but the canyon is unique and beautiful. The park even warns that visitors have been stranded, injured and even killed due to flash flooding in the Narrows. Nothing like some danger to spice up the hike.

I do make 2 travel recommendations. One, get a walking stick for the uneven and sometimes slippery underwater footing. Two, the park rents waterproof, rubber boots for the hike. Get them. Warm dry feet are a good thing. Perhaps there are similar hikes like this in the western parks…but I have not seen them. If you are visiting Zion National Park in Utah, make the Narrows one of your top priorities. PT