August 11
The Narrows
Click here for today's pictures.
We did The Narrows today. It was a good day to get a late start since we were going to be hiking in a river, so wouldn't be too hot even if reached the forecasted 95. So we got breakfast out, and didn't hit the trail until past noon. Gorgeous day so no fear of flash flood (unlike back in 1991).
The Narrows was (were?) super fun. Everyone loved it - top rating from the hiking enjoyment perspective. You can choose how far to go, and we ended up staying on the "trail" for more than six hours(!). The river was packed with people, which was fine, it just made it tricky to get photos. We were with others almost the entire way, even the furthest upstream we got. It is amazing to hike up a river with massive canyon walls on either side of you for hours. (And hours. And hours... Karen's notes.) Just a totally unique hiking experience.
You couldn't stay dry, but for the most part you didn't have to get wet much above the knees unless you wanted to. For the most part, hiking was pretty easy, just had to be sure-footed with lots of rocks, some slippery. Poles were a must. After nearly three hours (including lunch) we reached Orderville Canyon, which is a side canyon you can explore. That's where the "not much above the knees" ended as there were some difficult spots to traverse. There was a seven-foot high falls we got up by climbing a couple tree trunks someone had nicely put there. This side canyon turned the hike from perfect to slightly too long for Karen and Callie, just like the Hidden Canyon side-track yesterday.
Story of the Day
No quote today. Maybe this story is funny. The start of the trail is paved for a mile. On the way down, Miles and I (Scott) stayed in the river, while the rest of the crew took the path. I caught sight of the others at one point, and thought it would be funny if they saw me running down the river trying to beat them back. I really exaggerated it, high knees, arms pumping. Then saw that there were a few deer on the river bank, and the trail was full of people trying to snap photos. So the crowd of people got to watch this idiot barreling down the river beyond the regular wildlife they were enjoying.
Why visit the park when you can just sit on your patio at the Desert Pearl Inn?
While you are all sloshing around in canyons, you could have been watching the PGA Championship. Does news travel out west? Do you know who won?
ReplyDeleteWere you at all nervous about keeping your camera dry? I know who won the PGA.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't have to get wet much above the knees if you stayed in the main canyon, so the camera wasn't at risk as long as I didn't fall. Of course, falling is a risk. You really want to hike with poles. We had six for the five of us. We brought our own, but supposedly if you get there early enough you can borrow poles set out at the trailhead.
ReplyDelete