Thursday, August 15, 2013

Hiking The Zion Narrows

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ORDERVILLE CANYON FROM ZION NARROWS
The first time we hiked the Zion Narrows before ( year 2007), we loved it so much and had so much fun that we told ourselves we will hike it again sometime. Though we had been back to this nature wonder several times, but it was only this summer that we were able to do this hike again. As they always say, "love is sweeter the 2nd time around", so indeed, "HIKING THE NARROWS was sweeter the 2nd time around!" :)

Why was it sweeter? .....We learned our lessons from our first hike.

1. Hiking Zion Narrows is so unique since the trail is the river. It requires wading, walking and sometimes swimming in the river. During our first time hiking here, we were so inexperienced that we took our hiking shoes off and walked barefoot in the river. That was a huge mistake. Walking barefoot caused us too many falls from the slippery rocks on the river, bruises on our legs from the fall, and well, wet packs. :(
Rocks on Virgin River
This 2nd time around, we wore sneakers where our feet is covered, but water can go through. It's very important to have covered shoes because of the rocks. It's also very helpful to wear shoes which won't get too heavy because it allows water to pass through. Sneakers may not be the best shoes to wear for this kind of hike, but it did very well for us.

2. We had hiking poles. :) The hiking poles really helped us in balancing and steadying ourselves when walking against the current of water and on slippery rocks. The poles were also helpful in gauging the depth of water to find a route easier to navigate if we did not want to swim.
Happiness, All prepared to Hike the Narrows ( with our hiking poles )

3. We did not have to worry about losing our camera to the water this time since we waterproofed our camera and other gadgets so very well. Camera survived so well, thus, we have the pictures! :) 

THE HIKE:
We did the Bottom to Top hike from Temple of Sinawava in Zion National Park to Wall Street and Orderville Canyon. We did a 6 mile round trip hike. The first part of the hike is on a trail from Temple of Sinawava bus stop to the mouth of the Narrows.
Scenery of the Hike on the first mile, we were just looking at the river, not yet walking in it

This trail meanders along Virgin River, but does not require yet walking in the river because you are not entering the narrow walls of the canyon yet. In about a mile, the formal trail ends, and MORE FUN begins, that is walking in the river.
The canyon walls gets narrower and narrower as you go further inside. We liked the most the very narrow walls and kind of very lowlight in Orderville Canyon, which branches to the right after about 2.5 miles of hike from Temple of Sinawava.
@Orderville Canyon
Here are more pictures from our Zion Narrows hike:


a section in Wall Street 

all pictures below are already from Orderville Canyon





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31 comments:

  1. This looks like a wonderful place, Betchai! Glad you learnt your lessons from the first episode and made this hike a successful one. Gorgeous pictures as always, walking in the river is so much fun :)

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  2. I want to experience drinking directly from a spring. I wonder how the water tastes like.

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  3. Wow, such an amazing place, I love every detail of it.

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  4. Wow! I can't do what you do,Betchai.It looks extreme adventure for me.That's good you learnt your lessons.I showed this post to my husband and he told me you're really in good shape to do this hiking as we are not. You guys are really adventurous.Beautiful as always.

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  5. Such an adventure! Drinking from Spring is one experience that I am longing to do again.

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  6. What an amazing place. I never imagined such a hiking trail would exist.

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  7. Amazing. I wouldn't getting my shoes wet if such stunning view awaits me.

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  8. STUNNING! I wouldn't mind hiking this! I'm such a lazy hiker but this one will be worth all the muscle pain. Yay!

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  9. Another great hiking expedition.. I can't do siguro a 2.5 mile hike.. Iba ka talaga Betchai.

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  10. Incredible photos, and so refreshing to see you all waded in the water! I bet it's much cooler for this hike :-)

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  11. guess what, i scroll it down first to look at your pictures one by one before reading, hehehe, i was always amazed by the beauty you see around and thanks for sharing it with us, para na din kaming nakarating kahit papaano! anyway, glad you're more prepared now...:)

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  12. it's sweeter indeed Beth, the images say it all. simply breathtaking!

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  13. Your second pic is my favorite. I love the flowing water. Have you visited Michigan in all your travels. We are the water wonderland and there are many beautiful lakes and rivers.

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  14. Looks like you all had such a wonderful trip and also able to take stunning photos!

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  15. Oh am gee....what an adventure walking on water Betchai! the scenery is so beautiful and the joy of wading on water is priceless....you really are the queen of nature happiness!!! love all the awesome photos!!!

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  16. hi there queen of nature happiness! came back to savour your photos one more time. :)

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  17. Oh my my my. what an adventure. I am not sure if I can survive this hike. I feel safer on dry land. smiles. Glad you had the opportunity.

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  18. That's a challenge, I see the water is rather high.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  19. this is one of your adventures that i like best, the place is really stunning! i just wonder if i can get through the river if i have the chance to get there, i fear of walking in water for i do not know how to swim ahaha

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  20. here again and the first phrase that came to my mind is still the same- oh am gee hahaha, whew, those rocks and waters are so inviting! I wish I could wade in the water too! I wonder though whether I could manage hiking those narrow parts hehehe....love love love you joyful poses! :)

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  21. that's a nice place to go hiking, it must be refreshing to hike in a water flowing place... thanks for sharing.

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  22. Wow! I can't believe it! The pictures look surreal! I have never tried hiking and probably The Zion Narrows is for advanced hikers. It looks so exciting! I love those kinds of adventure.

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  23. Wow! Sis, hope you bring extra clothes with you :-) Amazing pictures as always :-) I might be drag away by the river :-)

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  24. /Such a wonderful creation of God! I would love to see that majestic place someday.

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  25. Oh... I love that photo of a quenched thirst, Ms, Betchai! The nature has everything that our eyes can behold, our hearts can rejoice, and our life can find fulfillment. What a Creator God we serve! :)

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  26. how awesome! This is the kind of adventure I would like to do someday. Amazing pictures!

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  27. You're really up for any kind of outdoor adventure. While the scenery is awesome, I don't think I can take on this kind of adventure. Ang galing ninyo! You're seeing all the wonders that we can only see from mother nature. What wonderful creation!

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  28. It is really true that you can learn from your first experience and just do better for the second time. But getting wet while hiking? I think I have to muster enough courage to do it! :D

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  29. Hiking is still something I need to befriend and learn to appreciate. I'm beginning to jog, though. :)

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  30. This kind of adventure is not for the fainthearted like myself! Hats off to your group, Te Betchai! I can only admire your adventurous spirit and guts. I don't have that. Just by looking at all the beautiful captures, I am doubly sure it was well worth it!

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!