Zion Water Trip

A trip to Zion National Park in early November of each year is basically a prerequisite for a great year of travel. Why early November? That is when the fall colors are most likely to be their most brilliant.

This year wasn’t looking good because the month was packed with all kinds of things, but not a trip to Zions. So I figured out which weekend was the best one to hack everything else out of so a trip to Zion National Park would definitely take place. November 6th and 7th were the days that won.

The hard thing was that I had only 2 days. Zions has a lot more to offer than two days can cover. I chose to go for more of a water type trip, and visit the Narrows and the Subway. These are both amazing places to see that are best photographed at mid-morning and afternoon times so I also got to watch sunrises at Canyon Overlook, and Lava Point as well.

Friday I left Las Vegas very early (2:30 AM) and got to Zions in time for sunrise at Canyon Overlook, and then a quick trip up to the famous tree growing out of a mound of rock.

Canyon Overlook that you can see below didn’t have a lot of clouds but the sunrise on the cliffs and the fall colors below were quite impressive! This light only lasted about 20 seconds, because clouds moved in and blocked the sun right after things got exciting.

The Zion Tree was pretty amazing, and I tried to get a new perspective on it and just wasn’t happy. Sun streamed in lighting the wall behind it and I basically gave up shooting (photographers usually try to photograph the tree before light fills the wall behind the tree), and tried to find a good spot for next time to shoot it. Luckily I was still thinking and I took this panoramic version of the tree in silhouette. I actually didn’t think this shot was great at first because I didn’t get what I had visualized, but my wife was pretty excited about it and I realized that my creativity had produced a new perspective that I hadn’t considered.

After the tree I raced down to the Visitor Center and got a permit for the Subway for the next day. A quick stop at the Zion Adventure Company got me some canyoneering shoes and dry pants. These are really nice to have in cold water because they keep most water off and cold away allowing you to stay in the river longer without before needing to warm up and dry off. I luckily found a pair of shoes, and dry pants that were being liquidating for less than the cost of a regular rental! I am excited to use these again and again!

The Narrows is an amazing place to say the least. Seeing most of the trees in fall color is even better! If you haven’t heard about this hike, most of it involves hiking in the Virgin River itself. This is amazingly fun, especially for the kid in all of us!

The narrows was kind of crowded for what I was expecting, I ran into a photo workshop and lots of other hikers. I guess running into a workshop means I picked a great time to be there!

After getting out of the narrows, I came across a huge deer that nicely posed for me!

The next morning I was at Lava Point for sunrise. It was amazing to look down on Zion Canyon and see the sun rise in the distance. Just a note, if your going to head up here then be sure to allow at least an hour to drive up. Also there is a rough dirt road for the last 2 miles. It was fine for small cars but careful driving is required.

After Sunrise I made breakfast, and headed on to the Subway! I was pretty disappointed to find quite a few cars in the parking lot. Quick hiking and the benefit of having done the 4.5 mile bottom up hike before helped in getting up to the Subway before anyone else. I had several minutes there before most of the 54 or so permit holders came and hung out around and in the Subway. I left after about 45 minutes because I could hardly move my tripod due to at least 12 others set up next to and around me. I did have most of what I wanted, so I left to make things easier on everyone else.

Overall having lots of people up there wasn’t a bad thing, I got to meet up with several cool people. It is always nice to make new connections when your in the outdoors!

Making the hike back to the car was difficult because of how fast I had hikedg up. Luckily I had the pleasure of hiking with some people I met who kept me going. The drive home was the most difficult because I just didn’t want to leave Zion!