Fall color In Zion (The Narrows)

I am setting up a trip to Zion for the beginning of November for fall color. I have never done the Narrows and I am not sure how to plan for this as I have never done it. I am only in moderate shape and kinda of scared of numerous things that could occur. Is there a way to find out more to prepare, guides, maps, or books on how to do hike the Narrows in the Fall. I realize it is going to be wet ( really wet?) do I need a dry bag and I know it is going to be cold but other then that I know nothing - any advice would be great ! I wanna make sure I am planned as I can be ! Thanks Kevin McNeal

When Zach and I were there last year we just waded up in tennies and hiking poles. It was cold but you get uesd to it pretty fast. We were in it for about 4ish hours...? , but any longer I'd recommend renting the waders or taking some. I think you can go pretty far up and back on a day hike, camping is permit only I believe. It hard me to guess how far we went but I think we went in a couple of miles maybe, and shooting the whole time.

Like Jeremy said, it will be cold. I hiked the narrows last weekend and it was even chilly then. I've hiked it as late as the last week in october and i was quite cold the whole day. I'd recommend some type neoprene waders. The Narrows Outfitting in Springdale can hook you up. I've never used a dry bag, but then again I shoot 4x5, no electronics, so a little water doesn't really scare me. As I said in an earlier thread, there are not a whole lot of fall colors in the narrows. There are some cottonwoods and a few maples scattered here and there, but for the most part, its just water and rock. If you want to do a canyon hike will fall colors, do the subway, and you dont even have to get wet!

Adam

I hiked the Narrows around September 20th. My wife wore Teva sandals. I wore Neoprene booties with a rubber sole. Guess who had cold feet (hint, it wasn't me). I would at the least get neoprene booties and try to get some waders for November. It was already getting cool in there last month despite 90 degree temps in Springdale. I just put my gear into ziploc bags and then into the lens cases. I actually hiked with my camera out. It made my wife nervous at times, but I never went face first into the water.

We had a great time on the hike.

There are some box elders or big leaf maples on the sand benches in the first couple miles (from the bus stop). I didn't continue far past the Orderville junction, but it didn't seem like there were many trees around that area.

Mel-

HIKING POLES!!! And, yes, definetely rent the gear because unless you're a polar bear, you will get cold very quickly. Hiking Poles! The rocks will be slick but the water isn't very deep that time of year - around 24"-30" at most if you work your way through the shallowest parts. Also bring a fleece jacket as it will be cool if you're not moving. Hiking Poles. If you plan on going back in the future, it would be much more cost effective just buying hip waders and felt soled boots which is what I plan on doing the next time I head out there. Also, did I mention hiking poles? Have one for each hand. With the slippery rocks and the current, they will keep you from falling in. Good luck and enjoy!

Bah! Just pick up a stick at the end of the paved trail.







(Actually, I agree with Tony and wish that I'd brought our poles.)

Mel-

I've traveled down through Zion NP and hiked the lower portion of the narrows twice. The first time was near the end of October, and the second time was in the first week of November. The water level was similar both times, and I was able to access nearly any area in the canyon I wanted without going into water deeper than my waist. Each time I've done the trip, I rented dry-pants (no need for the full suit unless you're going further up-stream/camping), and I don't regret it in the least. The first time, I went with companions who layered up and toughed it out, but I was completely comfortable and enjoying my time in the water. They were hurrying through the water to avoid the cold. There are various outfitters with very reasonable prices to gear you up with water shoes and dry gear. The extra gear is not a must for photographers, but it does make accessing unique vantage points much more comfortable, and therefor more likely.

As far a fall color timing is concerned, I would think the sooner you can get in the better. My experience is limited, and by all means I am not an expert, but a substantial amount of leaves has fallen by the time I got there both years. I would be really surprised if you don't have the time of you're life though. It's one of my favorite places in the connected states, and I envy you big time. Have a great trip!

There are a couple of clusters of red maple in the Narrows, that were very beautiful at the time I last visited, but they aren't abundant. I have a memory of there being more maples on the Emerald Pools Trail Complex, but I have only the three year old photos of a single tree to prove it. Either way, it's a super accessible hike/walk that wouldn't take much of your time to check out and could provide some sweet waterfall views depending on the water levels while you're there. Also, the time of your visit will mean that there won't be too many other people trafficking the trails, so it should be relatively comfortable to photograph even in the more heavily used areas. The Subway is a permit hike that features some maple and what I think is scrub oak, but it's long, and compared to the previously mentioned hikes, it's a little more strenuous. The glory of it is that you might spend the entire day without seeing more than a hand-full of other people (who are often fellow photographers).

As with most places, both the timing and intensity of peak autumn color in Zion can vary from year to year, and of course the timing will also depend on the elevation. Typically the best color in Zion Canyon and the Narrows, which is lower in elevation than most of the park, will occur in early November. Last year I went into the Narrows several times during the first and second week in November and the color was very nice. At higher elevations, naturally peak color will occur earlier. I've hiked the Left Fork to the Subway during the last week of October with great color along the creek. For more information, and for clothing and equipment rental, I'd highly recommend the Zion Adventure Company. The dry pants and water footwear will make the hike into the Narrows much more comfortable and enjoyable. A walking stick is a must!!!!! Read Autumn in Zion.