The Narrows (Zion National Park) facts for kids
The Narrows is a super cool part of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah, United States. It's the narrowest section of the canyon, where the Virgin River flows through towering rock walls. Imagine walking right in the river, with cliffs rising high on both sides!
This amazing place is one of the most popular hikes in the park. When people talk about "The Narrows," they might mean two different hikes:
- A shorter hike (about 3.6 miles) that starts from the bottom at the Temple of Sinawava and goes up to Big Springs.
- A longer, more challenging hike (about 16 miles) that starts from the top at Chamberlain's Ranch and goes all the way back down to the Temple of Sinawava.
Contents
Exploring The Narrows: A Brief History
Early Discoveries
Long ago, in November 1858, a Mormon explorer named Nephi Johnson was guided to Zion Canyon by a friendly Paiute Indian. He was likely the first European-American to see The Narrows.
A few years later, in 1861 and 1862, towns like Virgin and Springdale were started near Zion Canyon. Then, in 1863, Isaac Behunin built a cabin in the upper part of Zion Canyon to farm during the summer.
Naming and First Descents
The Narrows got its name in 1872 from a geologist and explorer named Grove Karl Gilbert. He was part of a group called the Wheeler Survey. His team traveled through The Narrows on horseback, all the way from Navajo Lake to Zion Canyon and then to Springdale.
Around the same time, another famous explorer, John Wesley Powell, explored a nearby canyon called Parunaweap Canyon.
The Narrows Becomes Popular
When Zion became a National Park in 1919, visitors could even take guided horseback rides up The Narrows! This continued until the 1960s. The idea of hiking all the way through The Narrows became really popular starting in the late 1960s.
What The Narrows Looks Like
The Virgin River starts high up near Navajo Lake, about 9,200 feet above sea level. It flows for about 11 miles to Chamberlain's Ranch, where the long hike through The Narrows begins.
The River's Journey
After Chamberlain's Ranch, the river turns west, and the canyon walls start to get taller. By the time the river enters Zion National Park, about 5 miles from the ranch, the canyon is already 500 feet deep!
A bit further, where Deep Creek joins the Virgin River, the canyon is an amazing 1,300 feet deep. From here, the canyon walls are continuous and very steep, often only 40 to 100 feet apart. There are also small areas of forest on the sides.
The True Narrows
From Deep Creek to Big Spring is about 2.7 miles. At Big Spring, the canyon gets even narrower, and this is where the "true" Narrows really begins. For the next 3.6 miles, the river often fills the entire space between the vertical sandstone cliffs.
About a mile south of the end of the narrowest part is the Temple of Sinawava. Here, the river flows into the main Zion Canyon, which is much wider. The canyon then widens even more about 8 miles south, where you'll find the town of Springdale and the park's southern boundary.
Hiking The Narrows
Hiking The Narrows is an unforgettable experience in Zion National Park. You can hike it in two main ways:
- Top-down: A long, full-day or two-day trip from Chamberlain Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava.
- Bottom-up: A shorter, out-and-back hike from the Temple of Sinawava.
Most of the hiking is done right in the river! For about a third of the route, the river fills the canyon from wall to wall. The water levels change with the seasons. Most hikers will wade at least waist-deep, and sometimes you might even need to swim short sections.
Bottom-Up Hike
The bottom-up hike starts at the Temple of Sinawava. You can go as far as Big Springs, which is about 4.3 miles in. The great thing about this hike is that you don't need a special permit!
- Around the first bend, you'll see Mystery Falls.
- At about 2.5 miles, you'll reach Orderville Canyon.
- Beyond that is the famous "Wall Street" section, named for its incredibly tall, sheer cliff walls.
- After Wall Street, the water can get deeper, and you might need to swim.
- You'll need to climb over some boulders around the 4-mile mark.
- Finally, you'll reach Big Springs at 4.3 miles. This is where you must turn around.
The entire round trip to Big Springs and back is about 8.6 miles and can take up to 8 hours.
Top-Down Through-Hike
The top-down hike is a 16-mile adventure. You can do it in one very long day or as a two-day backpacking trip. Chamberlain's Ranch, where this hike begins, is outside the main park area and is accessed by a dirt road. From the ranch, you won't even see the canyon at first! You simply follow the river as it slowly leads you into the deepening gorge, eventually reaching The Narrows and ending at the Temple of Sinawava.
This hike is very tiring because you are walking in the river for most of it. You need a special permit to do the top-down hike. It's a good idea to reserve your permit well in advance, especially if you plan to go during the busy summer months.
Safety Tips for Hiking The Narrows
Hiking in the river can be tough. The water is often cloudy, and the riverbed is covered with slippery rocks, some as big as bowling balls. Because of this, it's super important to have the right gear:
- Proper footwear: Shoes that can get wet and have good grip are a must.
- Trekking poles or a walking stick: These help you keep your balance in the moving water and over the rocky bottom.
Watch Out for Water Levels
The Narrows might be closed in the spring if the snow melting from the mountains causes the river to flood. This happens if the water flow is too high.
Flash Floods
Thunderstorms can cause dangerous flash floods in The Narrows during the summer. Even if it's not raining where you are, rain far upstream can send a sudden rush of water down the canyon. Because the canyon is so winding and has tall, sheer walls, flash floods can appear very suddenly and be hard to escape. Always check the weather forecast and park warnings before you go, especially during rainy periods!
Images for kids
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The Virgin River Narrows
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The "Wall Street" section of Zion Narrows
See also
In Spanish: Estrechos del Río Virgen para niños
