From here, you can hike another 2 miles into the Narrows proper and/or take a side trip into Orderville Canyon - a more narrow canyon that enters on the right. If you recognize any of these signs, stop hiking and immediately replace wet clothing with dry clothing. For many more things to do in Utah, check out our Utah Travel Guide. 84767. The Narrows - Zion Outfitter I would say that the best time of day to hike The Narrows is right away in the morning, starting preferably before 9:00 am. My kids were cold in the morning and didn't want to do it but we went on the riverside walk and passed countless people coming back who had gone into the narrows. During the summer of 2020, the chain section of the hike was closed, for social distancing. Admittedly, when I first hiked The Narrows in Zion, I was nervous, because it seemed like such a difficult, intimidating hike. More Information About Zion National Park, For many more things to do in Utah, check out our. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. All hikers should be aware that there may be a risk of cyanotoxin exposure when recreating in water in Zion. Just curious if its really bad and if anyone who has done it recently has felt sick afterwards. The Narrows is typically open year-round, as long as the temperatures and water levels cooperate. When the shuttle is not in operation (December, January, and February) you are permitted drive along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Henderek urged park goers to recreate responsibly by checking the current advisories from Zion National Park and Utah Department of Environmental Quality. But, youll be wading through water for the entire hike. 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Conclusion: Hiking The Narrows for Beginners, The Ultimate Grand Canyon Rim To-Rim Hiking Guide In 2022, Packing for a Day Hike: 21 Top Essentials to Bring. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Anatoxins are consistently released into the water of streams with some of the genera of Microcoleus. Of the 3, Canyon Overlook is my favorite. Do not jump. Note: If I didnt have my walking stick, I would have ended up in the water upwards of 10 times. There is a bathroom at the trailhead, but once youve left, there arent any until you return. Check out this guided tour that will make the entire hike a breeze! Its short and easy and has great viewsbut parking can be tough (you park here rather than riding the shuttle). This 30-mile loop trail has many extremely steep sections and only a few flat stretches, making it only appropriate for experienced . On May 8, 2022, Cale Green, Ryan Stassel and I drove into Zion National Park with no plans and few expectations. Good shoes for general hiking, Zion narrows, & slot canyons. The hefty climb up to Observation Point is another popular hike, the reward being jaw-dropping views across Zion. THE NARROWS (Zion National Park): All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor . Check with the Wilderness Office at zion_park_information@nps.gov or 435-772-0170 for more information. Cyanobacteria Warning and The Narrows : ZionNationalPark - reddit The Zion Narrows is typically closed to hiking between mid-March and late May, depending on how much snow fell on the high country in winter.While the trail does remain open at this rate, all hikers should practice caution, and only enter if they are physically capable of this type of hiking. Do colonies of cyanobacteria benefits aquatic organisms? Your return hike will take about a 1/2 hour less than the time it took to hike up. Virgin River runs through the canyon. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. is it safe to hike the narrows cyanobacteria During the busy seasons, the line for the shuttle bus can get extremely long. Avid hiker. Walking in the water is one thingingesting it is another. ZION NATIONAL PARK (ABC4 Utah) The Narrows, one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park that requires visitors to walk in the Virgin River, will remain open amid a public health warning due to a toxic algae bloom found in the river's north fork, park officials told ABC4 News on Monday. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, pale appearance, stomach cramps, and cool clammy skin. If a receptionist's opinion and retail rental company opinions are your preferred source of health information, then OK. Currently, the Utah Department of Water Quality is monitoring the levels of Cyanobacteria in the Virgin River. Melly B, the rate is low due to the 36% below normal snow levels. Zion National Park continues to monitor monthly for the presence of harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. The states recommended danger advisory threshold is 90 micrograms per liter. Whatever mileage and time you put in on the way into the canyon, you will have to turn around and complete on the way back to the trailhead. During Memorial Day Weekend 2021, crowds were enormous at Zion National Park. You don't need to completely avoid the months of July and August, but they are the hottest months and have the highest risks of thunderstorms and flash flooding in the area. 435-772-3256 If the level of toxins rises to 90 micrograms per liter, the park will issue a danger advisory cautioning against any contact with the water. If the need to use the bathroom arises, remember that you wont have much privacy, because this is a pretty busy hike. Inappropriate footwear often results in twisted ankles and crushed toes. This bacteria enter your body onyl via your nose, mouth and maybe ears, not through the skin. Although you'll probably hike in shorts, take extra warm clothing for each member of your group. Average winter water temperatures range from 38 to 45 Fahrenheit (3 to 7 Celsius). In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. This full-day tour features a knowledgeable guide who can help answer all of your questions about this fantastic hike. Visiting Zion National Park in March - Wildland Trekking Its also good to note that the first mile of the trail, from the Temple of Sinawava to the entrance of the Virgin River, is not within the canyon. Toxins detected in Zion include anatoxin-a, nodularin, microcystin, and cylindrospermopsin. There are some super fun hiking trails in Grand Staircase-Escalante, or you can explore the Valley of Fire or Snow Canyon State Parks, which are just a short drive away from Zion. Canyoneering Boots: These boots are waterproof and are designed to be used in the slippery conditions that youll face. That didn't stop many people from hiking the Narrows. 1 Zion Park Blvd. Hi, I was at zion a few weeks ago when they issued the new warning. The Narrows to stay open amid toxic algal bloom in Zion National Park . Entry and parking on a Monday morning in April, Mid May Quick Zion View between Bryce and SLC, 2nd day in Zion vs scenic route 12? Note that there is currently a warning about toxic cyanobacteria in the Virgin River. Learn all about visiting Zion National Park in March - benefits, drawbacks, hiking, tours, things to do and more! It is hot tho, so if you can get ice in or freeze your bladders that's will help keep you feeling cool. Contact the Utah Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 with concerns about anatoxin-a poisoning and call 911 in the event of a medical emergency. Question: How Old To Hike The Narrows - BikeHike But you do have two options of where to start this hike. Many of the hikes and best things to do are located along the Zion Valley. When I hiked this trail, this is where we chose to turn around, and it ended up being just over 7 miles roundtrip. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Your email address will not be published. During the winter months ice may form within the canyon. Difficulty Rating: Moderate (Strenuous at high water flow) Length: 3-10 miles round-trip. While this hike may seem intimidating, its still perfectly doable for many beginner hikers, and it may be one of the most unique hikes you ever do! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Toxin producing cyanobacteria has been detected in the North Fork of the Virgin River which will remain at a Warning Advisory. If you choose to continue on, youll have to climb some boulders. Cyanobacteria- toxic algae in Virgin River - Zion National Park Forum Went to Zion a week ago and hiked in the narrows. Expert Answers: Cyanobacteria, or "blue-green algae," form mats on the surface of water and can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and dogs. There were certainly many people who still hiked in the water, we chose to avoid this (can only deal with one pathogen at a time :) ). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. For most of the year (mid-February through November), the Zion Shuttle is in operation. Report inappropriate content Bob Palin Torrey, Utah Destination Expert is it safe to hike the narrows cyanobacteria. During peak season and holiday weekends, plan to get in line at least 30 minutes before the first shuttle. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, North Creek which is elevated to a Danger Advisory, During Danger advisories, recreators should consider avoiding all direct contact with the water. from The New York Times: I fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Shoes: Opt for a pair of shoes that arent too bulky, but have a sturdy bottom. I do find it interesting that they won't close the river to hiking. But in reality, as long as youre prepared, doing this hike is completely doable for people of many skill levels! If you had to spend an unplanned night in the canyon due to an injury, how prepared would you and your group be? No incidents to humans that Im aware of. Returning down river is much easier and quicker as you go with the flow of the river. Aside from everything else that Ive discussed above, here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions from hikers. Plus, the only way to treat the bacteria in rivers is large scouring events that occur after rainfall and the state is in the midst of a severe drought. Even if you have no plans to hike these trails, the closures can still impact your visit. Learn more about toxic cyanobacteria from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Zion National Park One of the best parts is not having to wait in line for the shuttle, as transportation is taken care of for you! The Narrows hike is a phenomenal hike that should be on every outdoors lovers bucket list. To prevent hypothermia, avoid cotton clothing (it provides no insulation when wet) and eat high-energy food before you are chilled. We actually found low levels of toxins flowing through there as of last year. There is a lot of debate about whether it's safe to hike the Narrows. A headlamp could make the difference between spending the night in the canyon and making it out. When you undertake the Narrows hike, you are committing to wading through water affected by this cyanobacteria. Please critique! Has anyone done the hike recently? There has been toxic cyanobacteria present in areas of the Virgin River, that can be fatal to humans and pets.The national park is constantly monitoring the bacteria and their levels.Its very important to understand that you should not drink any water within the park (unless specified as potable).Water filtration systems are not able to remove the bacteria.For more information, visit Zion National Parks information page. . All of these items can be rented from Zion Outfitters, which is located right outside the southern gate of Zion National Park. Visiting Zion National Park in January - Wildland Trekking U.S. National Parks: An Adventure Seeker's Guide To 10 Best Backpacking From the NPS webpage: The following are the only commercial services offered in Zion National Park: Commercially Guided Hiking Tours (Level II and Level III). If you plan to hike The Narrows via the Bottom-Up route (as discussed throughout the entirety of this post), you will not need a permit.If you choose to hike from the Top-Down, you will need to obtain a permit.More information on permits can be found by clicking here. Rangers answer phone calls from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else. Such a great way to beat the intense summer heat, The Narrows is an amazing slot canyon hike that will take your breath away around every turn. Dry Sack: I didnt use a dry sack, but if you want to ensure your items are dry, its not a bad idea. Im from Florida where its plenty hot but it looks like temps are averaging around 105 while well be there. Will I Encounter a Flash Flood During my Hike? Dry Bibs: These bibs are really only needed during winter or early spring when the water temperatures are cold and water levels are high. Note: When planning time to hike Zions The Narrows, set aside an extra 45 minutes for the shuttle ride. Learn all about visiting Zion National Park in April - benefits, drawbacks, hiking, tours, things to do and more! From a safety standpoint it is okay to hike the narrows, so long as all park guidelines are followed. All visitors should avoid contact with the Virgin River. Cyanobacteria produce toxins that affect the nervous system, causing rash, numbness, pain, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. This will help you stay on your feet and prevent you from sliding down the . As I mentioned above, The Narrows is a moderately strenuous hike. You could also choose to hike during the fall and avoid some of the crowds and hot temperatures. Sturdy footwear is essential. Springdale Monitoring efforts have detected harmful cyanotoxins in North Creek which is elevated to a Danger Advisory.