Zion Narrows top-to-bottom

[Elizabeth Tracy]

Got a permit to do Zion Narrows as a two-day, top-to-bottom in early May.

I’m finding quite a variety of opinions on the Interwebs on the topic of whether to obtain special equipment or not. People who balked at drypants, and others who said they couldn’t have lived without them. People who said the rental “hiking stick” was much sturdier than their trekking poles; others who said trekking poles are just fine. People who rented the local canyoneering shoes and swore by them; and others who seemed fine in their trail runners.

Guess I’m looking for a few more perspectives.

We do own neoprene socks. Personally I’m leaning towards wearing a thin pair of wool socks under the neoprene (to avoid chafing from the seams). I own some approach shoes that have excellent sticky traction on smooth rock. I’m thinking of just wearing those.

Elizabeth

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

You may need to keep an eye on the snow pack / melt rate.  A few years ago, I was planning a late June trip and the water flow was too high.  I have been several times and don’t mind renting river shoes and a stout stick.  The Narrows is a great way to snap your favorite trekking pole.  My 2 cents

[David Thomas]

Here are photos from 4 years ago, this week in March, when I went with my then-9-year-old daughter up the Narrows.

She had a shorty wet suit (about 3mm) on, plus long-sleeve polypro tops and bottoms.  We had thick wool socks in running shoes.  We didn’t use trekking poles or hiking staffs but just buddied-up, gripping each other’s arms to become a quadruped where it got deeper or the current got faster.

The problem I have with trekking poles in the Narrows is that they are a little short for some spots where you most want them.  I’ve suggested to people that rather than the (long and pretty heavy) poles that they rent, one spend $2 on a  2″ x 2″ (actually 1.5″ x 1,5″), cut it to 5-1/2 feet in length and screw two straps to it – one near the top and one a foot lower so you can have a good strap to use in different depths.  Or splurge and spend $8 on a replacement broom handle and also attach some straps.  Just a light broom handle – 3/4″ or 7/8″ in diameter.  Not a 1″ or 1-1/4″ heavy shovel handle.  And leave it at the trail head when you leave.

Walmart has a set of 3 Outdoor Products dry bags for like $9.95 in the Camping Section.  They seem to be sil-nylon.  They certainly are light and easy to compress and pack away.  I use one for my quilt to be assured of getting to camp with it still dry.

[Hydro Man]

Wife and I did this on a last minute permit coming off a CT thru-hike.  Just did the trip with my regular thru-hike pack, so shorts, trail runners, and lightweight poles.  It was fine for us, but we were late season and so the water was likely warmer.  The rental shoes might be a nice thing to have but definitely not necessary.  We did the Subway a few days later and used shorty wetsuits and were very glad to have them.

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