One of the most interesting of all the hikes we've taken was a day hike up The Narrows Canyon at Zion National Park. It's a hike I'd do over again, and probably will.
For most of the time, you're at least ankle deep in the cold fast flowing Virgin River. Be sure to take walking sticks or there's a good chance the current will knock you over at least once. I'd also suggest waterproofing your camera somehow. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had.
I didn't dunk my expensive Nikon, but it was pure luck I didn't. I should have carried something more outdoorsy, or at least brought a heavy duty plastic bag.
I should also mention that the Narrows is a very difficult place to photograph. The exposure difference between sun and shade is extreme, and it's very hard to capture unless you are making multiple exposures with a tripod and stitching them together to get one usable one with a program like Photoshop. I, unfortunately, didn't do that. Next time, I'm carrying the tripod. There are just so many beautiful shots I couldn't make without it.
You can see a list here of all the United States National Parks, with links to our stories about the ones we've visited.
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Looks like a great hike. Carrying a tripod..ouch, but I guess it would be worth it! (Plus that’s what Jim is for!)
Thanks, Corinne. That’s what I keep telling Kris, but she has so far resisted.
That’s a wonderful shot with or without a tripod. Love the light and colours.
Thanks, Tim. I had so many that I discarded that just had too big a disparity between sunlit spots and shade. Just too much exposure difference to make it come out. This one was all in shade.
That is a stunning photo!
Thanks, Emily. That’s what it looks like down there.
How in the world did you get those colors in the Zion picture? Gorgeous! Go to Key West for February if in area we should be able to put you up.
Dave, that’s what it looks like. Really. As for Key West, that’s intriguing.
I havren’t been for fifty years, I suppose. Your pictures show it is just as magical as the first time I saw Zion in 1947,
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I just didn’t want to turn back! Let’s peek around the next bend, and the next….
Janet, where haven’t you been?
What an amazing shot! (Your photo reminds us a little of the Siq in Petra, Jordan. Those red-rock cliffs are kind of similar). That hike looks very beautiful… But the idea of being ankle-deep in water most of the time doesn’t grab us – we’re wusses that way :-).
You’re right, it does indeed look a lot like the canyon path into Petra. But the water is very refreshing and navigable. I have some water shoes–hiking shoes designed to be in water–and the worked great. Traction was pretty good. And the water is nice on a hot day.
Oh, so beautiful! It has been decades since I have been to Zion National Park. hank you for reminding me that I need to go back!!
I highly recommend it Marilyn. It’s spectacular. And The Narrows is far from the only thing to see.