ZION 2000


July 2000, Butch, Diane , Bill, Braeden , Brandt and Brennen headed for ZION National Park in Utah.
      Our Main objective was to spend two days hiking "The Narrows".(MAP)

DAY ONE

 On our First day in Springdale we checked into Flannigans Motel. It was a very nice motel but we never got the feeling they liked us.
Next we went to the ranger station to apply for our overnight backcountry permit but they warned us that there was a 50% chance of Flash Floods! predicted for today, tonight and tomorrow.
After very little discussion The Killer B's (Butch.Bill.Braeden,Brandt and Brennen) decided to go do the West Rim hike and Diane headed for Kanab to the worlds largest domestic animal Sanctuary.
The West Rim hike was about 14.3 Miles plus an extra mile for Angels Landing.
The hike was enjoyable as it wandered along a mesa from Lava Point and had some enjoyable views but the highlite was scrambling up the narrow trail to Angels Landing and the magnificent view from the top(See photo at top of this page).

DAY TWO:

 The next day we checked on Flash Flood forecasts and it was at 30% and dropping to zero for the next two days so we got on the Shuttle and headed for Chamberlain's Ranch (MAP).
PS This Shuttle is privately run and it departs the Zion Camp ground twice a day at 0600AM and 0900AM. The ride takes about 1.5 hours to Chamberlains Ranch. Cost=$20.00 each. Phone=(435) 635-5993
The Chamberlains were old time cattle ranchers and the North Fork of the Virgin River flows thru their ranch where the hike for The Narrows starts if you plan on doing it as a one way hike.(16 miles one way)
We had our overnight Backcountry permit to stay in high water campsite #12. This is the last high water campsite before entering the Narrows which starts just beyond Big Springs.
The hike started out following an old jeep road for about 2 miles to The Bulloch Cabin then you gradually get into more and more canyons and start following the river. Next thing you know you are crossing the river more and more frequently then after awhile you quit trying to keep your feet dry and you start walking the river bewteen sand bars if possible otherwise your just in the water. The depth of the water is between your ankles and your knees for the most part. Occasionally up to your rump and as we found out on day two. Warning:you may have to swim for it!
The high points of day one are entering the "Little Narrows" and the "Waterfalls"(MAP). You can find a side trail around the waterfalls but when we got to the base of the falls we all stripped down and jumped in the large pool to cool off.
As we came back to our gear we spotted a Snake! crawling around. We were surprised to see snakes in the canyon but we knew it was a possibility. This snake turned out to be a bull snake and Brandt promptly picked it up for a closer look...aaaagh!
After the waterfall we came to the junction of Deep Creek and the North Fork and began the trek down the Virgin River to camp # 12. The rest of the day was enjoyable and scenic and we finally got to camp about 0300PM.
We didn't take any tents so we all slept out under the stars after a rousing game of UNO and some M & M's.

DAY THREE:

 We got up and put on our soggy boots and jumped right into the river becasue it would be awhile before we would see any dry land. We immeadiatly entered the towering cliffs of "The Narrows". This stretch of the river varies between 10 - 30 feet across and both side have walls that go straight up for 1000 - 2000 feet, As we carefully waded down the river it would get deep then shallow but never over our waist.
After about an hour we came to a deep hole that we had to ferry our packs over our heads because the water was up to our chests. Brennen wasn't so lucky and he had to swim for it or else!.
After about two hours we emerged from the Narrows and decided to go explore Orderville Canyon. This side canyon is much narrower than the Narrows and the water is mostly shallower. We went about .5 miles up Orderville Canyon(MAP) to a large pool then turned around. I think Orderville is spectacular.
Next we headed down river crossing sand bars and fianally came out at The Temple of Sinawava and got on a free shuttle and back to our car. This last part of the hike took 4 hours.

DAY FOUR:

The next day we all piled into the rented minivan and went to Bryce Canyon National Park and did a loop hike down "Wall Steet" and back around to the rim then went and had lunch at Bryce Canyon lodge. This is the first time I have been in a nice restaurant and had chimpmunks running around under my table daring me to drop a french fry.

DAY FIVE:

 The last day of our trip we went back to Las Vegas and stayed overnight at Circus Circus. Brennen used an "Unlimited two hour" pass at Gameworks and really got his moneys worth because he figured out how to let Brandt and Braeden also use it at the same time. Gameworks took a beating that day.
Back at Circus Circus the adults crashed and the boys were out watching something until the wee hours of the morning.

DAY SIX:

 Next day we all got on an airplane and flew home!
The drive home from the airport was a little tight in the car but eeeeverybody seemed real happy.