We woke up very early our first full day in Zion so we could hike the much anticipated "Narrows." The park labels this hike as strenuous but we had read a lot about it and were prepared with tons of water, snacks, water hiking shoes and most importantly hiking sticks. Everything we read about this hike told us the vast majority of the hike is in frigid mountain water with current. The best explanation was a blog writer who stated it was like hiking on wet bowling balls!
The day began with a one mile hike to the entrance of the Narrows, after a 40 minutes shuttle ride.
This is the beginning of the Narrows, one way in, one way out. You have to visit the park ranger station before the hike to make sure there is no threat of rain that day because flash flooding can occur rapidly. The park also rents and recommends water proof booties to keep your toes toasty but we opted for our hiking sandals but the water was COLD!!
We were so excited and look at how beautiful it was!!
We don't have as many pictures as I would have liked to take because we only brought one cell phone in a waterproof case on the hike since the majority of the hike is in the water. You can see the folks behind us in green beginning the hike. Most of the water was up to my shins or lower, sometimes up to my thighs. So sometimes we had to lift Addison up under her arms so she wouldn't have to full out swim.
Every little bit there would be a group of dry rocks that we could take a rest on. The scenery was breathtaking, different around every bend, so beautiful. It would change from cliff face, to waterfalls, to all greenery along the cliffs, it was amazing.
We found this little cave to have a snack and water break. The kids LOVED this hike so much! They all carried their own backpacks filled with water and snacks and did great.
We conquered THE NARROWS!! I was so proud of all of us.
This is after we had hiked about an hour and a half into The Narrows. We turned back here so as not to exhaust ourselves, knowing we had to go all the way back. The kids did not want to turn around though, they all begged to keep going because it was such a fun adventure.
You can see the gentleman behind the kids, that is a good example of how the hike was. So awesome!!!
I felt like we were on a movie set for Avatar. Amazing beauty everywhere we looked. Except for me, I looked like a dork.
The kids loved all the cool caves.
Another waterfall! Look at how clear the water is!
See why it is called The Narrows?
Addison was amazing. She went so much farther than most adults.
We were so proud of her strength and bravery.
She did awesome!
Near the end of the hike, Amelia found this awesome perch on a flat rock to have our picnic lunch. Look at how beautiful the water was!!
It was perfectly clear.
Happy hikers.
This was definitely a day Stephen and I will never forget and I hope the kids won't either. They still list it as one of their favorite things so I think it is pretty locked in their family memories.
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