Greetings from Zion National Park

When we first visited Zion National Park, we only had time for a day trip. I guess when we asked a park ranger how best we could spend the few hours we had they suggested we visit the Narrows which we did. As was a tradition then, I purchased a keepsake poster depicting a couple of hikers in the Narrows which I hung up in my office. Years went by and when we decided to revisit all our favorite national parks in Fall, the first one we went back to was Zion. After hiking a couple of days on other trails we went to The Narrows. We strolled leisurely along the Virgin river listening to the soothing sound of running water while soaking in the gorgeous Fall colors that contrasted vividly against the majestic canyon walls. Once we reached the spot where the paved trail ended we saw hikers outfitted with boots, waterproof clothing, and a wooden pole continue hiking in the river between the canyon walls, but we had to turn around and head back as we were not appropriately outfitted. While we were having lunch, we decided to give up some time at Bryce National Park the next day, and instead go back outfitted the next morning and hike in the Narrows, the rationale being “If not now when?”as it had taken us many years to come back again to Zion. We returned the next morning all outfitted ready to hike in the Narrows in spite of the temperature hovering around 30 F. A ranger asked us if we were hiking the Narrows and we excitedly said “Yes!” Hiking in the river filled with medium size pebbles required sure footing and we progressed at a steady and safe pace. We turned around when the water level reached up to our hips. Some returning hikers made us feel better by saying that the view ahead was similar to what we had already seen. In all we hiked in the Narrows for almost two hours enjoying the close proximity of the surrounding canyon walls of varied colors. While we were warming up with hot chocolate after this hike, the same ranger asked if we had successfully hiked in the Narrows and when we said “Yes!”, he congratulated us with a big smile. It was an impromptu adventure but our bonding with nature was phenomenal and memorable.

Sincerely,
Jaya