Zion National Park

The Watchman Monolith towers ominous at the entrance of Zion National Park, urging visitors to step back in time, slow the pace, the canyon beckons.   It stuns, then engulfs you.  Shadows fall on the sheer rock faces, creating a surreal presence.   You experience  the almighty power of nature carving out this magnificent wonder of the world and your mind is overwhelmed with the spectacle.

We hiked up the path to the infamous Narrows in the Canyon, the most popular and respected trail in the park.  Adventurers brave the frigid river, scramble through slot canyons and over boulders, experiencing the true wonder of Zion.  We  met canyoneers at the headwaters exiting The Narrows.  They were very young and extremely exhausted.  Chest waders and waterproof boots were an absolute must as the air temperature that day was 40 degrees and the water temp?  Can't imagine.   I asked the young explorers if they were cold and one replied you feel pressure of the river and you know it's freezing, but you just keep moving, it was the greatest experience ever.  He looked like he needed oxygen and was going to keel over any second.  

I love the thrill of a challenging hike, but that was my reality check.  No Narrows, no hypothermia, no CPR for me.   Not to pursue The Narrows seemed a disappointment at the time but my senior radar kicked in and saved me from embarrassment. 

We lived to hike another day.


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