I spent a week in Zion a few weeks ago. A hike into the Subway had me surprised and a little sad to discover the iconic Subway buried in sand. Still worth visiting for first time visitors, however if you're looking for "the shot," it may be a while.... I think we need a big ol flood to move all that sand, to get that shot.
Wow, bad timing for sure! Did you do any research on when this happened, definitely in need of a gully washer starting not much higher than the Subway to cleanse it!
Wow. That's not the Subway I remember... I'm reminded of the year it was scrubbed down to the sandstone a few years back - no black moss, just ruby red sandstone all the way down. That's what this year's version needs.
Wow Kane! That is disappointing for sure. Tough hike in for this surprise. I was lucky to hike it years ago after the 100 year flood that cleaned out the subway. Must have been there the year Les was there.
Really appreciate you posting this info, Kane. Since I lucked out and won the lotto for the Wave in Sept, I was contemplating a Zion visit as well. Certainly, that image could change my plans for Zion.
Since I am not familiar with the this area, does it take a "major" storm event to "clean" it out?
Whoa. That is really different than what I saw there. Hopefully the sand in there gives it a good scrubbing with a big storm. I'm planning on going back this November.
Honestly, I could do with a break from Subway shots. I haven't seen anything new since Guy Tal's winter images. These things go in cycles and I hope each time round, the appearance will be sufficiently different to keep things interesting.
This is actually fairly typical for this time of year. It takes monsoonal summer flash floods to scour it clean. It will be back to it's typical iconic shape by Autumn.
I'm not 100% sure, of course. But narrow canyons like this change quite rapidly after those powerful flood waters course through restricted areas.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on June 10, 2013 at 11:22 AM
The sand makes it rather uninviting. I was told that another photographer encountered sand in the late spring, but it was gone in the fall. Maybe there's hope after some summer rain flushes.
Finally something different from the Subway! I kinda like it...... It certainly wasn't that way back in March.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on June 13, 2013 at 12:13 AM
This may be normal, but I haven't seen it photographed before.
At least it's just sand and mud, not a pile of logs that would take much longer to wash out.
Discussion
14 repliesTwo shots submitted...
but that looks really bad, Thanks for the heads-up.
Since I am not familiar with the this area, does it take a "major" storm event to "clean" it out?
Really? I don't doubt your expertise, but that seems like an impressive annual variation.
Kane, thanks for the heads-up.
At least it's just sand and mud, not a pile of logs that would take much longer to wash out.