Zion Narrows

The camera is in the river, not beside it, which is the whole character of this place - there is no bank, and the only route through is up the streambed. Water fills the bottom of the view all the way round, clear enough to show every cobble on the bed and moving fast enough that the long exposure has smeared it into a green-white blur. On both sides the walls go straight up out of the water and keep going past the top of the frame: Navajo sandstone, streaked dark where water runs down it, undercut at the bottom into smooth curved scallops by the river doing exactly what it is doing now. Where a seep comes out of the rock there is a hanging garden of bright green clinging to the ledge - the only colour in the canyon apart from the stone. Ahead the walls close in further and the slot bends out of sight; behind, a bar of pale cobbles and a lit cliff catching sun from far above.

Zion National Park, located in Southern Utah, looks and feels like it's a million miles away from ordinary. Actually it's just outside Springdale, Utah, and it's a microcosm of life in the West with its desert, woodland, riparian and forest zones. People come to watch wildlife, soak up the scenery, and connect with the area's deep native American history. When expert hikers come to Zion, they're likely here to hike the Narrows, an amazing steep-walled canyon.

Hiking the Zion Narrows While this is not a hike for everyone, those who are able and willing to make the trip will experience nature at its most dramatic. The Narrows, one small part of the park, is a 16-mile stretch of canyon carved out by the north fork of the Virgin River. Considered one of the best hikes on the Colorado Plateau-also home to the Grand Canyon-Zion Narrows is not your typical hike. In the old days, the park offered horseback adventures through the Narrows, but people have been traveling it mainly on foot since the practice was discontinued in the 1960s. Permits are required for most of the hikes and for camping, mainly due to the area's protected status. Groups up to 12 can hike together at one time, and hikers are expected to leave no trace. The trailhead begins at Chamberlin's Ranch, best navigated by four-wheel drive before setting off on foot. The trail ends at the Temple of Sinawava, a fixture in Zion Canyon. Shuttles take hikers to the Zion visitor center in Springdale. In between, the route travels through the slot canyon and crosses the Virgin River much of the way. Many hikers consider this a relaxed hike with a downhill slope, even if it's a long one and can be slippery at times. Conditions can change rapidly with the arriving rain. Speaking of wet conditions, this is not a hike where adventurers can expect to stay dry. Much of the hike, up to 60 percent of the trip, is through or across the Virgin River. Some swimming is required for short parts of the journey, making this hike different than the average route.

Zion National Park Lodging When it comes to overnight accommodations, Zion Narrows visitors have the choice between camping along the route or the lodging at the motels and cabin rentals nearby. A dozen campsites are located along the path of the Zion Narrows, some available to reserve in advance and others available by walk-up permit. Most of the campsites are small and can accommodate up to 12 people a night-and all are nestled amongst some amazing scenery. Outside of the park, a number of motels and cabin rentals are available to provide hospitality, a comfortable respite after the strenuous hike along the Narrows.

Nearby Attractions The Grand Circle of national parks and monuments includes Zion National Park-and it's worth taking time to branch out from the Zion Narrows. The National Park Services runs shuttles to many of the nearby parking, helping to ease congestion and keep cars off these precious roads. Bryce National Park and the Grand Canyon are two of the most popular places connected by shuttle. Other nearby places include Pipe Springs and Cedar Breaks National Monuments and the cities of Cedar City, St. George and Kanab.