Hiking the Narrows of the Virgin River

Yesterday I spent about seven hours walking the riverbed of the Virgin River. Because of the dangers of flash floods, this can only be done a few weeks of the year. It starts off on a crowded path in Zion, which has a south rim feel. With the crowds and amazing number of sunburned children, I was reminded that it was a holiday weekend. But looking up from the wide canyon at the red, white, pink and black sandstone cliffs that rose 2000 feet, I felt alone. After about three hours of hiking, sometimes in waisthigh water, the crowds had fallen away and the canyon walls had narrowed so that sunlight only penetrates a few hours of each day.

I used the stick to see how deep the water was and avoid twisting my ankle.

Even though the day was forecast to reach 104, I was glad of my longsleeved shirt as I waded through the sixty degree water. Walking against the current was tiring, but each bend was more beautiful than the next. The little river coursed noisily through the dark close walls of the canyon. Large boulders were nested in pockets of the wall overhead, and I had a sense of the power of this river during the spring. This was without doubt the most stunning day hike I've taken. Exhausted at the day's end, I fell into bed without eating dinner, calculating that I'd consumed over 1 1/2 gallons of water. Today I will increase my salt intake!

I was afraid I'd drown the camera, so I took too few pictures. Next time I'll bring a throwaway camera.