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10:30 and we are walking now for about 3 hours. We still outside the Zion National Park, hiking the Virgin River from East to West, but the scenario are magnificent. The colors on the rocks and the vegetation with the blue sky makes a great hike.

Larry was our guide most of the time on this hike. He likes climbing and every time the had a chance, he jump up some rocks.

First time we got water over our knes was here, about 10:40AM

The water is moving quickly here. Looks like we are descending a little faster.

It’s about 11:00AM and we are entering some really nice narrows.

The green banks of the river makes a wonderfull contrast with the rocks.

It was 4 hours that we start waking. Now we stop for lunch and also to kill some time otherwise we would be to early at our campsite.

Mike was the first one to try the 'blue bags'.

You can get yours for free at the visitor center, if you have the permit to do the hiking.

I have to say that we were impress with the cleannes on the whole path. Looks like the people are taking good care of it.

Each time we face a wall and Larry and Mike keep staring at it. It must be a climber thing. We could not understand…
Now the water level is about 1 foot on most of the river.

It's about noon and has been a long time we are not seeing any other hiker. I wonder if we are too behind.

The outside temperature is hot but not too hot. The water is refreshing.

Again we are entering some narrows. Those are the great on this hike. Every time you enter on it the water gets a little dipper, but not enough to slow you down.

Again, having the stick is a must on this parts.

More narrows ahead...

Rocks fall almost every week somewhere in the park. Just make sure you are not under one when it falls.

Look the size of some boulders that flood brought down the stream.

The first sign of civilization: a yellow post with nothing on it. We were wondering what it could mean and the best guess is that it was to tell us that we are entering the park, but we are not sure.

Note the caves that water carve on the rocks. All over you will be able to see the power of the water and how high it could get on the flood.

Finally, at 1:25PM, exactly 6 hours after we start the hiking we arrived at the campsite number 1. It’s a good campsite, but would be too far from the end on the next day.

Most of the hike will inside the water, with rock beds. So it’s important if you can have good hiking shoes with good grip, neoprene socks would be nice to have and a robust walking stick is an absolute necessity. 

If you want to do the Narrows from the top down should plan to have a shuttle or a friend who will drive you to Chamberlain’s Ranch. It’s about 1:30/2:00 driving up there (depends on your drive ability on dirt roads). If you want to get a shuttle, there are few on Springdale and the prices will be $20 to $30 per person. If you are renting the gear, ask if they have any discount on the shuttle service. Some companies do have it.

Who is Elton

I was born in Brazil and my wife and I moved to USA, California in 1996, for a change in our lives. Took us some time to learn the language and get into this country, but I think we are doing very well expect the learning a new language after 35 is not easy. We became citizens in 2007.
 My wife and I we love to travel and by the time I was writing this page, we have logged more them 100.000 miles on our BMW K1200LT Motorcycle, many more on our car and much more on the airplane.
Winter we do Snowmobile, Summer we go to the lakes for water sports (PWC) and we motorcycle year around (one of the goods of living in sunny California).

Web sites for more information: (they will open in a new window. Please check your browser prefferences if it doesn't show up)

USGS-Virgem River water levels

NPS - Backcountry Reservations and Permits

National Geographic Best 100 Adventures

Good Narrows Informational web site

Zion Adventure Company - Outiffiter

Zion Rock & Mountain Guides - Outiffiter

El Rio Lodge Motel - Inexpensive option