Zion Narrows Itinerary

As a follow-up to the Half Dome hike that Julie and I had accomplished just a month before this trip, we had also planned and executed on the Zion Narrows hike to scratch that off the bucket list.

We were accompanied by another couple who were passionate about overnight backpacking trips, but at least this one didn’t require us to bring shelter along for the hike.

With Julie and I probably in as good a shape as we were ever going to be in, we took on this hike along with the logistics around securing permits, and that manifested itself in this itinerary.

I would imagine that any aspirations of doing the Zion Narrows would involve an itinerary that looked like this.

And while the scenery was unforgettable and the memories were well cherished, I have to confess that this trip was my most memorable for a different kind of reason – totalling my Dad’s mini-van after hitting a deer that darted across the Hwy 89.

Needless to say, the free day I had before doing the Zion Narrows hike was filled with calls to the Auto Insurance company, working with the tow truck guy, and renting a temporary car, which eventually had to be dropped off at home.

I guess this experience really forced me to appreciate and respect the very real hazard of wildlife on the roads…

Trip Map

Zion Narrows – This was obviously the major highlight of this trip for it was the very reason we did this trip in the first place. While we had to jump through hoops and hurdles to ensure we could get one of the walk-in permits right when the Wilderness Permit Office opened, we still walked away from this experience with fond memories of sleeping without a tent inside the Narrows itself as well as walking through with giant sandstone walls flanking us and rising high in the sky.

Day 1: Drive from Los Angeles to Zion National Park

Overnight: Watchman Campground (Zion National Park, Utah, USA)

This was sort of a red-eye drive as we didn’t take the Wednesday off work and proceeded to drive after dinner. So it wouldn’t be until well after midnight when we finally arrived at the Watchman Campground. We didn’t even have time to set up the tent during quiet hours so we pretty much slept in the car. But at least we did have campground reservations so it was OK to do this.

Day 2: Day at leisure in Zion National Park

Overnight: Watchman Campground (Zion National Park, Utah, USA)

My buddy and I didn’t get much sleep because we knew we had to wait in line to secure a Zion Narrows walk-in permit to camp overnight the next day. So we first took care of that right when they opened. Then, Ed rejoined Julie and Cindy to sleep in some more. Meanwhile, I had this idea to attempt to solo driving and hiking to the Upper Calf Creek Falls since I wasn’t successful in finding this place the last time I was in Southern Utah with Mom.

But that was when the deer incident happened, and it wouldn’t be until the very end of the day when I came back with a rental car and rejoined the group as they had a whole day to tour Zion Canyon via shuttle. We did have the late afternoon to get outfitted with canyoneering shoes and neoprene socks as well as to arrange the shuttle bus to Chamberlain’s Ranch.

Day 3: Zion Narrows Day 1

Overnight: Zion Narrows Campground (Zion National Park, Utah, USA)

We were pretty much escorted by shuttle from the Watchman Campground all the way to Chamberlain’s Ranch. Then, we were on our own to do the one-way 16-mile shuttle hike down the Zion Narrows to the Riverside Walk. This day focused more on the Upper Narrows, which also had a logjam waterfall. Not long after that, the Virgin River doubled in volume as it was joined by Deep Creek.

Day 4: Zion Narrows Day 2

Overnight: Watchman Campground (Zion National Park, Utah, USA)

After waking up and breaking up our site (basically only sleeping bag and pad), we then continued the remaining half of the Zion Narrows hike. We didn’t have time nor energy to do any of the side canyons. However, we did stop for Big Springs right at the top end of the signature Narrows part.

Day 5: Drive home

Break camp and drive home. I had to take care of the rental car and auto insurance business once I got home.