Hiking (5 Viewers)

[TheIronSheik]

Make it a weekend trip. It would be hard to see it all in one day. We stayed in Eagles Mere. Its is a very historic, cool little town that's only 10 minutes away. EM was built in the early 1900's. People thought it would be the next HUGE vacation destination for the aristocrats of Philly and they even built a small, light gauge train system to take people up to the top of the mountain. But then the depression happened, and people got cars, and then they could fly to more exotic destinations, and it all kinda crumbled. The town is still a popular summer vacation spot, but nothing like they originally dreamed.  Anyway, cool place and WESP is amazing. 

You ever been @Jaysus? If not, definitely put it on your list.

We did Rickett's Glen a couple years ago and that was cool.  It's pretty close to there.  

 

[Jaysus]

Make it a weekend trip. It would be hard to see it all in one day. We stayed in Eagles Mere. Its is a very historic, cool little town that's only 10 minutes away. EM was built in the early 1900's. People thought it would be the next HUGE vacation destination for the aristocrats of Philly and they even built a small, light gauge train system to take people up to the top of the mountain. But then the depression happened, and people got cars, and then they could fly to more exotic destinations, and it all kinda crumbled. The town is still a popular summer vacation spot, but nothing like they originally dreamed.  Anyway, cool place and WESP is amazing. 

You ever been @Jaysus? If not, definitely put it on your list.

Lots of time... in my youth.  My family has cabins in Sullivan County and some of my fondest memories of my youth are from that area.   The Loyalsock trail is penciled in for the second year in a row, I am hopeful that it works out this year.  Wanna go?

 

[parasaurolophus]

Has anyone hiked in Sedona?  We’re planning a trip later this year. There are so many hiking trails it’s hard to figure out which ones are the best. Probably looking for a couple half day hikes. Any advice or links would be greatly appreciated. 

I like this site for their vegas info. I see they have some sedona hikes. Might help

 

[Sand]

I'm not a camping guy (but hike a good bit), but I'm incredibly tempted to try and see if I can score a High Sierra Trail permit.  How hard can it be, right?

 

[Rustoleum]

As it turns out, I was dead balls accurate  when I claimed to the other hiking guys I’ve met through my son’s involvement in scouting that my feet were good for 10 miles but anything more than that was gonna be trouble.

We did a nice little 12.5 mile winter hike around Caesars Creek  in Ohio and the hot spots definitely kicked in right after we passed 10 miles. Sore heel and calves today too, but it was great to get out.

 

[The Future Champs]

Just got back from hiking from ozette to shi shi.   The Makaw reservation is closed, so we snuck in the back door by coming up from the south.    Very beautiful terrain south of Shi Shi, but the beach itself is pretty average.  That said, I think we were the only people on the beach that day, and it’s kinda awesome to look at two miles of wilderness beach and to think IT’S MINE ALL MINE.

 

[krista4]

Just got back from hiking from ozette to shi shi.   The Makaw reservation is closed, so we snuck in the back door by coming up from the south.    Very beautiful terrain south of Shi Shi, but the beach itself is pretty average.  That said, I think we were the only people on the beach that day, and it’s kinda awesome to look at two miles of wilderness beach and to think IT’S MINE ALL MINE.

Interesting.  I was considering going to camp on one of the beaches for a night, but had crossed Shi Shi off the list since I thought the Makah had closed it.  Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[The Future Champs]

Interesting.  I was considering going to camp on one of the beaches for a night, but had crossed Shi Shi off the list since I thought the Makah had closed it.  Sounds like you had a great time!

We forded the Ozette and camped two nights at Seafield, with a day hike up to Shi Shi.  Camping at Seafield is NOT recommended, as there are about 8-10 cabins from some sort of grandfathered settlement near the beach, which definitely detracts from the wilderness experience.  There's a logging road which provides easy access to Seafield, and we took that on the way out.   My suggestion is: logging road to Seafield, roughly 1.5 miles up the beach (north), cross first headland (passable at low tide, STEEP rope assisted headland crossing if tide doesn't allow), drop into cove and camp there.  There's a nice creek, a beautiful seastack just offshore, several easy camping spots (you'll have to level out the sand), and tons of driftwood for a fire.

I'd also suggest Mosquito Creek, which is accessed from Oil City.  Most of the hiking in is in coastal scruff, which is boring, tbh, but the site itself is gorgeous, and this time of year there  won't be anyone else nearby.

#MINEALLMINE 

 

[krista4]

We forded the Ozette and camped two nights at Seafield, with a day hike up to Shi Shi.  Camping at Seafield is NOT recommended, as there are about 8-10 cabins from some sort of grandfathered settlement near the beach, which definitely detracts from the wilderness experience.  There's a logging road which provides easy access to Seafield, and we took that on the way out.   My suggestion is: logging road to Seafield, roughly 1.5 miles up the beach (north), cross first headland (passable at low tide, STEEP rope assisted headland crossing if tide doesn't allow), drop into cove and camp there.  There's a nice creek, a beautiful seastack just offshore, several easy camping spots (you'll have to level out the sand), and tons of driftwood for a fire.

I'd also suggest Mosquito Creek, which is accessed from Oil City.  Most of the hiking in is in coastal scruff, which is boring, tbh, but the site itself is gorgeous, and this time of year there  won't be anyone else nearby.

#MINEALLMINE 

Love it, thank you!  

 

[The Future Champs]

Love it, thank you!  

One serious note about coastal hiking: do not disregard the tide warnings.  For example, if it the map says 4', you're in real danger if the tide is at 4.5'   Be really cautious about any traverse that involves a rising tide.

That said, next up is (probably) a return to the south fork of the Hoh.  The trail peters out after a couple of miles, but it's possible to bushwack up the river to some really spectacular locations.   

 

[krista4]

One serious note about coastal hiking: do not disregard the tide warnings.  For example, if it the map says 4', you're in real danger if the tide is at 4.5'   Be really cautious about any traverse that involves a rising tide.

That said, next up is (probably) a return to the south fork of the Hoh.  The trail peters out after a couple of miles, but it's possible to bushwack up the river to some really spectacular locations.   

Oh, I've done a lot of coastal hiking here.  The Ozette Triangle made my list of five least favorite WA hikes so far, but mostly because it was so much more of a trudge than I expected.  But I've been to most all of the beaches, though just day-hiking for the most part.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Did about a dozen hikes on the north island of New Zealand, including the Tongariro Crossing. It was some tough sledding at times but was an awesome day hike!

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Fortunate to hike one of the best hikes in an American National Park last summer.

The 10 Best Hiking Trails Found Inside America's National Parks

   >>   Picture   Rebecca L. Latson/Getty Images

Grinnell Glacier Trail (Glacier National Park)

Montana is a state filled with beautiful scenery, but Glacier National Park just might hold the crown for the most scenic location of them all. To get a true look at what this park has to offer, take a stroll along the 11-mile round-trip Grinnell Glacier Trail, which takes hikers out to an overlook that provides spectacular views of some of the parks namesake features. This trail is only open from July to September, but it is a can't-miss walk during those summer months when the weather is at its absolute best. 

A few I have done many times but not nearly as impressive as Glacier NP:

In you are in Boulder Colorado and go hiking up around  NCAR then find if Mallory Cave is open.  It get closed for rare bats habituating in the cave and if their is mountain lion activity in the area.  The last couple hundred feet are challenging but its a great hike.

If in Steamboat Springs Colorado then I like hiking up Emerald (aka Quarry) mountain.

Glacier is the best hiking NP in the US.  >> Glacier National Park Hiking Trails

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I missed this thread when it was first posted as I was on a three-day hiking trip. Love seeing people excited about hiking!

Just did a shorter-than-expected hike this morning (Mr. krista not feeling well) and decided to tally up our hiking totals for the first three quarters of 2015:

480.47 miles

120,436 feet of elevation gain, equivalent to almost 23 miles of vertical gain

We hike to mountain summits, alpine lakes and anything else you can offer, primarily in our home bases of the North Cascades, Central Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges and surrounding wilderness areas.

I know it was a joke, but just a few photos to compare a hike to a "scenic walk". This is what a real hike looks like (all from hikes we've done in 2015):

That's the trail?

Or even worse, that's the trail?

Steep scree trails are not fun going up, but even less fun coming back down.

Hold on, where's the handrail?

At least this one has rebar, though we didn't use it.

Wait, I want that rebar to get down this instead.

The only way up there is over those boulders.

Coming back down, as usual, even worse.

But you guys might just find the views at the top worth it.

Mr. krista and I are gear-aholics (don't ask me about my backpack obsession), so I'd be happy to give advice on any type of gear. I provided a lot of input in the thread biggie linked but am always tweaking my gear selections.

Jeebus.

I once skied 100,000 vertical feet in a week at Jackson Hole (you signed up and got a card punched every time you rode a ski lift to verify and got a pin when you hit 100,000) but that was downhill even if it was -20 below every day its not even close.

You deserve some sort of prize for overall awesomeness just for the Beatle thread but ...

THIS is really impressive Krista.

 

[krista4]

Fortunate to hike one of the best hikes in an American National Park last summer.

The 10 Best Hiking Trails Found Inside America's National Parks

   >>   Picture   Rebecca L. Latson/Getty Images

A few I have done many times but not nearly as impressive as Glacier NP:

In you are in Boulder Colorado and go hiking up around  NCAR then find if Mallory Cave is open.  It get closed for rare bats habituating in the cave and if their is mountain lion activity in the area.  The last couple hundred feet are challenging but its a great hike.

If in Steamboat Springs Colorado then I like hiking up Emerald (aka Quarry) mountain.

Glacier is the best hiking NP in the US.  >> Glacier National Park Hiking Trails

I've never been to Glacier, and it's by the far my #1 national park I want to visit.  Seems like I never plan it far enough in advance...  Maybe this year.  Thanks for posting these

Jeebus.

I once skied 100,000 vertical feet in a week at Jackson Hole (you signed up and got a card punched every time you rode a ski lift to verify and got a pin when you hit 100,000) but that was downhill even if it was -20 below every day its not even close.

You deserve some sort of prize for overall awesomeness just for the Beatle thread but ...

THIS is really impressive Krista.

Geez, you pulled this from the way-back machine!  Five years ago, I was a relative newbie to hiking.  I got better than this.    But thank you so much for such a sweet compliment.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I've never been to Glacier, and it's by the far my #1 national park I want to visit.  Seems like I never plan it far enough in advance...  Maybe this year.  Thanks for posting these

Geez, you pulled this from the way-back machine!  Five years ago, I was a relative newbie to hiking.  I got better than this.    But thank you so much for such a sweet compliment.

Took a 7,200 mile road trip out west last summer.  Drove from Vancouver Washington to Glacier so its a good day's drive from where you guys are in Seattle.

If you go then it is not an option, you have to get reservations just to enter Many Glacier.  Most tourists don't even know their is another section of Glacier NP and only take Going-to-Sun road  drive.  It was super crowded like all NPs last summer before Covid19.  We fortunately had the last cabin at Swiftcurrent. 

Anywhere you can stay at Many Glacier is a great base camp for hiking since about a half dozen trail heads are within a half mile walk.  Over 500 griz in the park so bear spray and practices are a must.  See video - Grizzly bear attack Glacier National Park   <<  THIS ATTACK took place on the Grinnell Glacier trail a few years back.  

If you guys are doing more intense hikes than those... 

In the early 90s worked up in Alaska three summers pulling 17 hour shifts 7 days a week, living in a tent, sliming.  Their were few women but the ones who hung were special.  Seeing your pics.  Reminded me of those special women.  

 

[prosopis]

I have been doing a fair amount of hiking in my general area. Today I headed out to Parker Canyon Lake which is just 5 miles from the Mexico border. Was a nice hike but I did take a fall and scraped my arm up pretty good. I am noticing as I get older my footing is not what it once was. It is inevitable but the downward progression in my physical abilities as I age is kind of a bummer. 

Anyway it was beautiful there. Different landscape than I am used to. Lots of grasslands. The drive is really nice as well. I went through Elgin and Sonoita. I did get a text at some point from Verizon. They were welcoming me to Mexico and assuring me there would be no roaming charges.

I have a kind of fantasy thing in my head that I would never actually do because I have a family and all the responsibility that goes with it. But I do think I could liquidate or not liquidate, run off to Mexico and live a simple life as a beach bum or just hold up in some Mexican village for the rest of my life. I wonder if I would have the balls to do it if not for the family?

 

[Pinkerton]

On Friday I hiked a stretch of the AT that is normally packed with NOBO thru hikers the time of year. It was just 7 mile out and back, but I took a 40L pack with a fair amount if trail magic in it just in case. 

I wound up coming back with more than I packed in thanks to the mess I found at the shelter my lunch was planned for.

It was a beautiful day so I can't really complain, and on the plus side, more beer and soda for me.

 

[Apple Jack]

On Friday I hiked a stretch of the AT that is normally packed with NOBO thru hikers the time of year. It was just 7 mile out and back, but I took a 40L pack with a fair amount if trail magic in it just in case. 

I wound up coming back with more than I packed in thanks to the mess I found at the shelter my lunch was planned for.

It was a beautiful day so I can't really complain, and on the plus side, more beer and soda for me.

I'm surprised people are not going through with their hikes. A friend and I are discussing doing our C&O Canal bike ride early this year and possibly adding in the GAP from Pittsburgh to Cumberland.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I wound up coming back with more than I packed in thanks to the mess I found at the shelter

Good man Pink. 

Taken many back country trips.  My set-up is an inflatable kayak towing an inflatable raft so I have lots of room to stow things on the way out.

I take at least one good hike around my perimeter and a quarter mile down the shore in the back country right before I leave and fill a minimum of one trash bag.  

Started doing that back in 2004.  I always left a spotless camp and their typically are clean campsites but unfortunately their is always more spread out on the shore than I can haul out.

 

[The General]

Just got back from hiking from ozette to shi shi.   The Makaw reservation is closed, so we snuck in the back door by coming up from the south.    Very beautiful terrain south of Shi Shi, but the beach itself is pretty average.  That said, I think we were the only people on the beach that day, and it’s kinda awesome to look at two miles of wilderness beach and to think IT’S MINE ALL MINE.

Just finished camping hiking at Lake Ozette for but we went south to La Push. Camped at Sandpoint for a 2 days on the southern tip of that Lake Ozette triangle hike which was pretty nice with a giant beach. Then hiked to La Push.

As you mentioned the Makaw area is still closed so we didn’t go north from Sandpoint except for a day hike to see the haystack rocks and some petroglyphs that the trailhead mentioned.

Weather was nice, some of the campsites were a bit worn down at Sandpoint since it so accessible but we got a decent one. Tons of beach camping as well as you went south.

One other note was the water situation wasn’t great as the stream was barely running at Sandpoint.

 

[The Future Champs]

Just finished camping hiking at Lake Ozette for but we went south to La Push. Camped at Sandpoint for a 2 days on the southern tip of that Lake Ozette triangle hike which was pretty nice with a giant beach. Then hiked to La Push.

As you mentioned the Makaw area is still closed so we didn’t go north from Sandpoint except for a day hike to see the haystack rocks and some petroglyphs that the trailhead mentioned.

Weather was nice, some of the campsites were a bit worn down at Sandpoint since it so accessible but we got a decent one. Tons of beach camping as well as you went south.

One other note was the water situation wasn’t great as the stream was barely running at Sandpoint.

How many people were there on the boardwalk?    Trailheads in the Cascades are pretty crowded these days, and I heard that a forest service road near Lake Cushman was closed after it became an 8 mile traffic jam.

Just had three glorious days in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, up the north fork of the Sauk to Red Pass, and then on to the White Chuck Glacier.

 

[The General]

How many people were there on the boardwalk?    Trailheads in the Cascades are pretty crowded these days, and I heard that a forest service road near Lake Cushman was closed after it became an 8 mile traffic jam.

Just had three glorious days in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, up the north fork of the Sauk to Red Pass, and then on to the White Chuck Glacier.

Wasn’t bad at all. Saw a handful of people heading in. Most of the spots In the woods were taken at Sandpoint but the beach is so big that that it can’t get too full really. Parking lot was pretty full but mostly day hikers I think or were staying up at the northern camp area (Avalla or whatever it is called).

Nice on Glacier Peak. Pretty sweet up there.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Took a 7,200 mile road trip out west last summer.  Drove from Vancouver Washington to Glacier so its a good day's drive from where you guys are in Seattle.

If you go then it is not an option, you have to get reservations just to enter Many Glacier.  Most tourists don't even know their is another section of Glacier NP and only take Going-to-Sun road  drive.  It was super crowded like all NPs last summer before Covid19.  We fortunately had the last cabin at Swiftcurrent. 

Anywhere you can stay at Many Glacier is a great base camp for hiking since about a half dozen trail heads are within a half mile walk.  Over 500 griz in the park so bear spray and practices are a must.  See video - Grizzly bear attack Glacier National Park   <<  THIS ATTACK took place on the Grinnell Glacier trail a few years back.  

If you guys are doing more intense hikes than those... 

In the early 90s worked up in Alaska three summers pulling 17 hour shifts 7 days a week, living in a tent, sliming.  Their were few women but the ones who hung were special.  Seeing your pics.  Reminded me of those special women.  

Many Glacier is beautiful. There's a lodge I recommend staying a night or two to clean up after camping. Of all the hikes, Highline Trail was my favorite, and there is a spur trail to overlook the Grinnell Glacier.

 

[krista4]

How many people were there on the boardwalk?    Trailheads in the Cascades are pretty crowded these days, and I heard that a forest service road near Lake Cushman was closed after it became an 8 mile traffic jam.

Just had three glorious days in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, up the north fork of the Sauk to Red Pass, and then on to the White Chuck Glacier.

The entirety of the road into Staircase is closed, and all trails as well (i.e., you can't go in a back way to camp or anything).  Overnight permits are being refunded.  The big issue is "Party Rock," which has become a place of insanity for a few years now but I guess reached its breaking point this year.  Party Rock is just people day-tripping in in their cars and making a big freaking mess, not hikers at all, but the problem there has led to this huge and important part of the ONP being closed to serious hikers and backpackers.  I'm not complaining about that - the FS did the right thing IMO - but it's a terrible result.

 

[waiver wire]

the quarantine for covid has killed my fitness level
last year at this time doing hikes 22-24km or hikes with elevation of 1200-1300 m 
only doing 14-16 km or 600-800 m elevation  

 

[The Future Champs]

The entirety of the road into Staircase is closed, and all trails as well (i.e., you can't go in a back way to camp or anything).  Overnight permits are being refunded.  The big issue is "Party Rock," which has become a place of insanity for a few years now but I guess reached its breaking point this year.  Party Rock is just people day-tripping in in their cars and making a big freaking mess, not hikers at all, but the problem there has led to this huge and important part of the ONP being closed to serious hikers and backpackers.  I'm not complaining about that - the FS did the right thing IMO - but it's a terrible result.

Holy crap.  I'd never heard of "Party Rock", and I will avoid it in the future.  Sounds like that swimming hole on the Skykomish River that's just exploded in popularity.

That said, I strongly support outdoor recreation that includes beer, wine, and pot.   I just wish adults would act like adults whilst stoned.  It's not that hard.

 

[krista4]

Holy crap.  I'd never heard of "Party Rock", and I will avoid it in the future.  Sounds like that swimming hole on the Skykomish River that's just exploded in popularity.

That said, I strongly support outdoor recreation that includes beer, wine, and pot.   I just wish adults would act like adults whilst stoned.  It's not that hard.

Exactly!  

I noticed that about the Skykomish when I was driving through to Chelan a month ago.  Suddenly there were a billion cars where I'd never seen them before, and it was the same way coming back.  That's exactly what it was.  This year has been a disaster for our outdoor areas.  Places I used to love are places I would not even consider going to now.  I have Enchantments permits in September that I might not even use.

 

[The Future Champs]

Exactly!  

I noticed that about the Skykomish when I was driving through to Chelan a month ago.  Suddenly there were a billion cars where I'd never seen them before, and it was the same way coming back.  That's exactly what it was.  This year has been a disaster for our outdoor areas.  Places I used to love are places I would not even consider going to now.  I have Enchantments permits in September that I might not even use.

Rangers counted close to 1,000 people in a single day near Colchuck Lake earlier this month.   People were lugging paddle boards and coolers up the trail.   Definitely a good year to avoid the well known spots.

On a similar note I hiked from Stevens to Snoqualmie last year, and found that almost everyone coming out on the first day had been at Thunder Mountain Lakes.  (I'm pretty chatty on the trail.)  I'd never heard of TML before that day.  Later that day we bumped into a ranger camping on top of Surprise Mountain, who confirmed that TML had become the new hot spot for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.   Turns out that Outside or Backpacker Magazine featured it as one of the "10 Best" camping spots (or something like that) and that was that.   

 

[krista4]

Rangers counted close to 1,000 people in a single day near Colchuck Lake earlier this month.   People were lugging paddle boards and coolers up the trail.   Definitely a good year to avoid the well known spots.

On a similar note I hiked from Stevens to Snoqualmie last year, and found that almost everyone coming out on the first day had been at Thunder Mountain Lakes.  (I'm pretty chatty on the trail.)  I'd never heard of TML before that day.  Later that day we bumped into a ranger camping on top of Surprise Mountain, who confirmed that TML had become the new hot spot for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.   Turns out that Outside or Backpacker Magazine featured it as one of the "10 Best" camping spots (or something like that) and that was that.   

Yeah, I've seen some videos of the parking at the Stuart/Colchuck trailhead.  I've a friend who keeps pestering me to day-hike to Colchuck because we do at least once a year, but NFW am I doing it this year even on a weekday.  My permits are one for Colchuck zone and one for Stuart zone so I'm screwed there if I do it.

You did Section J?  Badass!  I had plans to do that with a friend two years ago, and she bailed a day or two before.  Sucked.  I hadn't heard that about Thunder Mountain Lakes being on that list.  Another place ruined.

 

[Moonlight]

Two years ago did the El Camino Santiago (St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago). Great hike. Met so many people from different countries. Last year two sets of friends we made came to visit us in States. It was our first international hiking experience. Plenty of hostels/alburgues to stay in comfort for the night while seeing the country during the day.

Likely will do another El Camino route next year if covid cooperates.

 

[Jaysus]

I did the Old Loggers Path in PA over the weekend... about 30 miles and 4k' elevation.  I wore new (Darn Tough) socks and got a blister about 20 miles in: that was a bummer.  Water was low and I wound up walking with over a liter in my dirty water bag each day, pretty sure my bag was just as heavy when I walked out as when I walked in because of that. I was looking forward to lightening my load after eating and drinking my camp beers - lol

 

[The Future Champs]

Just did a nice two day trip to Mt Rainier - in the Carbon River entrance, up to Windy Gap, then scramble up to the pass separating Crescent Mt from Sluiskin Mt.   The far side is an easy walk down though broken forest, leading into Elysian Fields.  From there, over to Vernal Park and up to the top of Old Desolate.   At that point my buddy and I separated - he slid down about 1,500 vertical feet of talus and then headed north to meet the Wonderland Trail.  I wasn't going to risk talus skiing in sneakers, so I backtracked out.   

 

[Sand]

Two years ago did the El Camino Santiago (St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago). Great hike. Met so many people from different countries. Last year two sets of friends we made came to visit us in States. It was our first international hiking experience. Plenty of hostels/alburgues to stay in comfort for the night while seeing the country during the day.

Likely will do another El Camino route next year if covid cooperates.

That's awesome.  How long did that take?  I've looked at it and considered the Primitive way.  Not sure I'd have time for the one you took.

 

[Moonlight]

Took @44 days. We had a few rest days during this time at the larger cities, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon.

As you know different routes you can take. Some people we met hiked the route in sections and not do it at one time.

Our route was highlighted in the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen. Which is a very enjoyable movie and recommended. 

 

[eoMMan]

Anybody hike the Narrows at Zion?

Any tips/suggestions?

 

[Terminalxylem]

Anybody hike the Narrows at Zion?

Any tips/suggestions?

Yup. I did the bottom up, but top down is supposed to be better. Make sure no rain in the forecast.

Depending on the time of year, you may want to rent dry pants or a dry suit, as the water can be pretty friggin cold. 

Angel’s  Landing is another great hike, though the top is exposed if you’re afraid of heights.

Also if you have a couple days to kill, consider getting a guide and renting gear to canyoneer, as Zion is probably the best place to do so in the US. Subway is one of the marquee slots, though there are many others.

 

[Random]

Anybody hike the Narrows at Zion?

Any tips/suggestions?

Yup.  Plan on spending the entire day in there.  Its amazing.  I forget what they're called, but rent a pair of wet shoes for the day.  We went in August and the water was neck high (even higher as there were times we floated) a day after a large rainstorm came through.  We went all the way back to the campsites and then on our way back went back some of the offshoots.  Awesome hike.

Also climb Angels landing.  It is another one that lives up to the hype.  Not very long, but be sure to keep going to the end if you want the real adrenalin rush. 

Subway was beautiful but marginally worth the time it took to get there.  We did the bottom, but if I were to do it again I'd go top down.  I think.

edit - Most will recommend hiking sticks, but I thought they were more of a hassle than they were worth.  But they were nice for finding boulders in the water before my knee did.  

 

[AAABatteries]

Yup.  Plan on spending the entire day in there.  Its amazing.  I forget what they're called, but rent a pair of wet shoes for the day.  We went in August and the water was neck high (even higher as there were times we floated) a day after a large rainstorm came through.  We went all the way back to the campsites and then on our way back went back some of the offshoots.  Awesome hike.

Also climb Angels landing.  It is another one that lives up to the hype.  Not very long, but be sure to keep going to the end if you want the real adrenalin rush. 

Subway was beautiful but marginally worth the time it took to get there.  We did the bottom, but if I were to do it again I'd go top down.  I think.

edit - Most will recommend hiking sticks, but I thought they were more of a hassle than they were worth.  But they were nice for finding boulders in the water before my knee did.  

Hiking sticks or trekking poles?  I always have my trekking poles with me backpacking or difficult hikes. 

 

[Random]

Hiking sticks or trekking poles?  I always have my trekking poles with me backpacking or difficult hikes. 

I think you got a stick when you rented the shoes.  

 

[NutterButter]

Hiked the grand canyon a couple of weeks back.   South rim, down to the river and back up in 6 hours.   I take it that hike is a lot more difficult in the warmer months?  I saw signs on the trail that advised against doing what I did, but weather was just perfect (largely why i was out there) and I didn't find it that difficult.  Is going from rim to rim more of a challenge?   

 

[bigbottom]

Hiked the grand canyon a couple of weeks back.   South rim, down to the river and back up in 6 hours.   I take it that hike is a lot more difficult in the warmer months?  I saw signs on the trail that advised against doing what I did, but weather was just perfect (largely why i was out there) and I didn't find it that difficult.  Is going from rim to rim more of a challenge?   

I’ve done the Rim to Rim four times. Well, two trips in which I went South Rim to North Rim on Day One and North Rim to South Rim on Day Three. Technically, it’s not a difficult hike at all. The trails are well-marked and well-maintained. And it’s just steps and switchbacks. That said, you have to be well-conditioned and well-prepared. Both times it was in the 40s when we stepped off and then over 100 when crossing midday. It also sleeted on us once when doing the North Rim ascent. We had an old guy in our group who had forgot his poncho so I gave him mine. That wasn’t fun at all. South Rim to North Rim is a 21 mile trip with about a 6000 foot ascent (that starts after you’ve hiked 16 miles or so). The return trip is 24 miles (I strongly recommend the longer alternate route for the return) with about a 5000 foot ascent. 

 

[NutterButter]

I’ve done the Rim to Rim four times. Well, two trips in which I went South Rim to North Rim on Day One and North Rim to South Rim on Day Three. Technically, it’s not a difficult hike at all. The trails are well-marked and well-maintained. And it’s just steps and switchbacks. That said, you have to be well-conditioned and well-prepared. Both times it was in the 40s when we stepped off and then over 100 when crossing midday. It also sleeted on us once when doing the North Rim ascent. We had an old guy in our group who had forgot his poncho so I gave him mine. That wasn’t fun at all. South Rim to North Rim is a 21 mile trip with about a 6000 foot ascent (that starts after you’ve hiked 16 miles or so). The return trip is 24 miles (I strongly recommend the longer alternate route for the return) with about a 5000 foot ascent. 

Ah,  I see the north section is much longer.  So is there about an 11 mile section at the beginning of the northern side (when going south to north) that's relatively flat before making the 5 mile ascent?  Probably would rule that out just on the logistics.  I don't think I'd have the desire to hike back the following day even if I could and looks like that's something like a 5 hr drive for which I'd need some type of car service or shuttle.  

 

[Osaurus]

I did some light to medium hikes in Joshua Tree NP a couple of weeks ago. Some have good elevation changes, but any hike in this park is worth the trip imo. 

 

[bigbottom]

Ah,  I see the north section is much longer.  So is there about an 11 mile section at the beginning of the northern side (when going south to north) that's relatively flat before making the 5 mile ascent?  Probably would rule that out just on the logistics.  I don't think I'd have the desire to hike back the following day even if I could and looks like that's something like a 5 hr drive for which I'd need some type of car service or shuttle.  

Yes, there is a very hot and long hike “across the box” before you begin to ascend the North Rim. We stay at the North Rim two nights and then do the return hike on Day 3. Our group has a driver (spouse of the in of the hikers) who takes the van and all our stuff (other than what we need to make the crossing) around to the North Rim. And yes, it’s about a 4.5 hour drive. They do have shuttles that will drive you back to the South Rim if you only hike one direction.

The group we go with does it every year, and we were planning to join again this May after a 5 year hiatus, but decided to drop for two reasons: (1) most of our friends in the group aren’t hiking this year; and (2) one of the hikers in the group for last year’s hike almost died of heat exhaustion (helicoptered out and in ICU for weeks). Hiking the Canyon is no joke and you have to be deadly serious about conditioning and preparation. Since I don’t know most of the folks going in May, I can’t be certain about their physical ability, and that puts me at risk. That said, it’s an incredible experience and if you do it with friends, it may be one of the highlights of your life.

Instead, my wife and I will be heading to Big Bend National Park and doing a couple 15+ mile hikes in the Chisos Mountains of Texas. 

 

[NutterButter]

Yes, there is a very hot and long hike “across the box” before you begin to ascend the North Rim. We stay at the North Rim two nights and then do the return hike on Day 3. Our group has a driver (spouse of the in of the hikers) who takes the van and all our stuff (other than what we need to make the crossing) around to the North Rim. And yes, it’s about a 4.5 hour drive. They do have shuttles that will drive you back to the South Rim if you only hike one direction.

The group we go with does it every year, and we were planning to join again this May after a 5 year hiatus, but decided to drop for two reasons: (1) most of our friends in the group aren’t hiking this year; and (2) one of the hikers in the group for last year’s hike almost died of heat exhaustion (helicoptered out and in ICU for weeks). Hiking the Canyon is no joke and you have to be deadly serious about conditioning and preparation. Since I don’t know most of the folks going in May, I can’t be certain about their physical ability, and that puts me at risk. That said, it’s an incredible experience and if you do it with friends, it may be one of the highlights of your life.

Instead, my wife and I will be heading to Big Bend National Park and doing a couple 15+ mile hikes in the Chisos Mountains of Texas. 

Just going down to the bottom and back up was pretty darn cool.   Not sure about the North Kaibab but going down the south was spectacular.   I plan on heading to colorado this summer to see some shows at red rocks and while I'm there, I plan on tackling my first 14er (I think that's how you refer to that height).  When taking the shuttle to the south kaibab trailhead, a couple of folks were telling me about Pikes Peak, but not sure if that's the one I'll choose.  Enjoy your hikes.   

 

[prosopis]

I just got back from Chiricahua National Monument. I camped just outside of it on a forest road. Saw deer, turkey, javelina, coatimundi, and many different birds. Was a great trip although it was colder than I expected at night. Spent two nights down there and it was refreshing.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Just going down to the bottom and back up was pretty darn cool.   Not sure about the North Kaibab but going down the south was spectacular.   I plan on heading to colorado this summer to see some shows at red rocks and while I'm there, I plan on tackling my first 14er (I think that's how you refer to that height).  When taking the shuttle to the south kaibab trailhead, a couple of folks were telling me about Pikes Peak, but not sure if that's the one I'll choose.  Enjoy your hikes.   

While you can hike it too, there’s a road to the summit of Pike’s Peak. I’d choose something less developed.

The only other one I’ve summited is Long’s, which was great, but more technical than most of the other 14ers. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is worthwhile regardless.

 

[NutterButter]

While you can hike it too, there’s a road to the summit of Pike’s Peak. I’d choose something less developed.

The only other one I’ve submitted is Long’s, which was great, but more technical than most of the other 14ers. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is worthwhile regardless.

I was looking at Long's but saw that it gets a little rough once you get closer to the top (past the keyhole).  I usually like to err on the side of caution so didn't know if this would be the best choice for my 1st 14er.  

 

[Terminalxylem]

I was looking at Long's but saw that it gets a little rough once you get closer to the top (past the keyhole).  I usually like to err on the side of caution so didn't know if this would be the best choice for my 1st 14er.  

Yeah, it's not a beginner mountain for sure. It was my first fourteener mainly because I went with someone very experienced.