Elly Shofia
The Narrows is a famous climbing spot. This climbing location is in Zion National Park, Utah, United States.
This place is famous for its narrow passage surrounded by cliffs and clear river flows. This cliff wall is up to 2000 feet high, while below it flows a river with a width of 6-9 m.
The river that flows at the bottom of this cliff is the Virgin River. Climbers usually pass along the edge of this river because there is no path.
The views in this canyon are beautiful, but this route can be very dangerous if the river water rises or flash floods occur.
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Hiking Trails in The Narrows
Hiking in the Narrows means traveling upstream on the Virgin River. The rocks in this river are uneven and slippery, that’s why special equipment and preparation are needed.
The climbing time required to climb The Narrows is around 3–7 hours, depending on speed and how far you want to climb. The hiking trail follows the Virgin River, which is below the cliff.
There are two hiking trails in The Narrows. First, climb from the bottom to the top of the Temple of Sinawava.
If you climb this route, no permit is required. If you choose this climbing route, you can see a beautiful and narrow part of the canyon.
The second hiking trail follows a 16-mile trail from Chamberlain’s Ranch. If you climb this routed, you require a permit.
This hiking trail starts from Chamberlain’s Ranch to the Sinawa Temple. If you decide on this route, you must arrange transportation to the Chamberlain’s Ranch trailhead.
Water Level in The Narrows
Water levels in The Narrows fluctuate greatly from year to year. This water level depends on many factors, such as rainfall and snowmelt.
When the river flows below 70 CFS (cubic feet per second), walking is quite difficult. Because the water level will be knee-high with the river bed being slippery and uneven, some puddles may be waist-high.
When the current exceeds 70 CFS, walking against the current will be a challenge because the water will be thigh to chest high. This site will be closed if the flow exceeds 150 CFS.
Prone to Flash Floods
The Narrows area is very vulnerable to flash floods, this is because most of the surrounding area is bare rock that does not absorb water.
If a storm or heavy rain occurs, runoff is channeled quickly into the Narrows. During a flash flood, the water level will rise rapidly, in a matter of seconds or minutes.
Flash floods often occur in this area, and this is very dangerous for climbers. These flash floods can cause climbers to be injured, stranded, and even lose their lives when passing through narrow canyons when the flood occurs.
The potential for flash floods requires climbers to always check the weather forecast and the potential for flash floods.
Even though the weather forecast shows a small possibility of flash floods, floods can occur at any time.
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Best Time to Hike The Narrows
Many hikers visited The Narrows in the summer and early fall. This is because the water temperature tends to be the warmest and the water level drops.
However, the potential for life-threatening flash floods can occur at any time and usually occurs during the rainy season.
It is not recommended to climb in winter and early spring, as the water is usually cold, and the water level is high. In spring, when snowmelt occurs, this place is usually closed for the safety of climbers.