Just Back from Zion - Status of The Narrows
 

Just spent a long weekend in Zion and got back tonight. I just wanted to update those of you planning on visiting the park soon and hoping to hike The Narrows. Not gonna happen.

The mountains that drain to the Virgin River had over 300% of normal snowpack this winter. It's now melting fast in the 100 degree temps now that summer has hit.

To put this in perspective: One year ago yesterday, the river was running at 30 cubic feet per second. Yesterday it was running at over 1,800 cubic feet per second. It's a fast, muddy, scary looking, raging river with entire logs being carried down. The residents of Springdale who live along the river are on flood watch.

The Narrows is closed to hiking and rangers do not expect it to be open until July at the soonest. The hiking conditions board in the Visitor's Center says:

The Narrows: NO, NO & NO!

That said, the record rains and snow have brought out more wildflowers than I have ever seen! The hanging gardens are positively lush. Cactus, shooting stars, golden columbine, monkey flower and too many others to list are blooming now.

There are so many wonderful hikes to do at Zion - don't worry about having enough to do.

Note for those looking for reasonably priced accomodations. The Pioneer Inn looks like it has been remodeled and spiffed up a lot. You might want to check it out if Desert Pearl and Flannigan's are too $$ for your budget.

There is also a new Roadway Express Inn being built in Sprindale. It looks like it might be ready by fall.

Thanks so much, helpful to know. We leave for Zion Wednesday, can't wait!

Thanks for the information!

We'll be there at the end of June and we're thinking about tubing in the Virgin River. I hope this means it'll be a smooth ride (rather than bumping along the river bed which can happen in summer) or will it mean white water... yikes!! :)

What do you think?

I've seen the river during flash floods. You don't want to be in it! It's a brown, smelly and to high and fast to go tubing or wading in. Not to mention that it can carry a whole tree trunk and the sandy river banks are gone!

The best time to float is when the water is a pretty clear greenish color and you can see the rocks on the bottom.

Utahtea

Highflyer,

Nope, no tubing until late summer this year! One look at the river should convince any sane person. If you fell in, you would probably not survive. No joke.

Plenty of other fun things to do!