Hiking The Narrows at Zion National Park

On Wednesday, July 10th, we spent time in Zion National Park.  Six of us hiked from the top to the bottom (16 miles) and the rest hiked up from the bottom, explored for a while and hiked back out.  It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Towards the beginning...

 A narrow pass explored by cousins Jordan and Xander.

 A narrow gap in the Narrows...

 Looking up...

 Xander giving this rock a karate chop...

 A small and injured bat we found on the path and rescued to a more secure location so it wouldn't get stepped on...

 Looking down the dry waterfall...

 A break for snacks.  (I didn't follow the "never wear a fanny pack" rule)

 

A waterfall...

 Xander ready to take the plunge...

 Video of his jump...

 A "cave" Jordan found...

 James brought the only camera (his iPhone) placed in a ziploc baggie.  He said "it never got old" having to get the thing out of the back pack and then out of the plastic baggie for pictures.

This is such a beautiful hike and we enjoyed ourselves.  For the longest time you try to stay out of the water and keep your feet dry.  Finally after a few close calls, you just plow through the water.  Then the trail turns to just river for a ways.  It's like walking on greased bowling balls navigating all the boulders underneath the water.  Boy were we GLAD to reach the bottom!

I was the first to finish and Stan was next.  We didn't take time to snap a photo at the end with everyone because some needed to use the bathroom and since there are only so many times you can go "out on the trail" we hurried down the paved trail for the last mile so we could use a flushing toilet.  Then it was a bus ride back to my dad who was waiting with the car at the entrance to Zion National Park.  What an INCREDIBLE day!