Monday, April 26
10.1 miles.
The wind was pretty bad all night but thankfully my tent didn’t get blown away.
We had a short mile and half or so road walk. Sand was still a pain but the walk was mostly downhill so we got through it quick.
We switched time zones again yesterday when we crossed back into Utah so it seemed like we got a late start. Or maybe we did?
From the road we had to scramble down some slickrock to reach the Virgin River, another one of those Utah rivers that cleaves the land and creates magnificent redstone canyons.
We knew it was supposed to rain today and we knew we had to get through the river as quickly as possible since it was prone to flash floods. And yet, we still didn’t really rush through the section. We spent some time filtering water when we reached the river, then had breakfast, then lagged going through the river itself. Partly because the river itself was slow with all the crossings and the mud and muck, partly because we were pretty fatigued from the past few weeks, and partly I think because we just kinda wanted to enjoy this last stretch.
The Barracks aka Parunukaweap Canyon aka the East Fork of the Virgin River is a dope section. Lots of beautiful orange slickrock and textured sandstone above the flowing. The river wasn’t too fast or deep at the start but as it narrowed and as it started raining, it definitely felt more intense.
It was wet feet time early on and we had to repeatedly wade through the river which wasn’t too bad. It did get colder and colder as the day progressed especially when it actually started to rain but for the most part it was fine. Beats hiking through fine soft sand.
The river canyon turned into slick narrows, not full on slot canyons but narrow enough that we had to walk through the river to get through. I felt a few raindrops on and off which was worrying.
We reached the point where we were supposed to scramble out of the canyon on the route but thanks to the Across Utah maps I knew there was an easier alternate around a bend next to a plaque dedicated to John Wesley Powell, the first guy to raft down the Colorado River. I knew a little about him from listening to Under the Banner of Heaven and it was cool seeing the plaque. It was kinda weird that there was just a random plaque in the river but it helped us find the way up.
The scramble out of the canyon was pretty fun. Mostly class 3, maybe a little 4 but easy enough to make it up. The last little scramble challenge of the Hayduke for us.
We had lunch at the top the climb and that’s when it really started to rain. We’d made it out safe and sound. Another hour and we’d have been down in the canyon during a storm, not a great spot to be in. The only downside of making it out onto the rain was that we were a lot more exposed so we got drenched pretty fast. It was much colder when we got wet too.
We followed some cairns through the slickrock and onto a soft sand trail. We were only a few miles from the road but the hike seemed to take forever. The rain combined with being wet and cold and tired and so close to the end made it so much harder. It didn’t help that the trail occasionally disappeared and we had to keep navigating towards it.
A mile or so from the climb, we reached the Zion National Park Boundary. There wasn’t a fence or gate or anything and we only knew we were crossing over from our GPS tracks. Jordan and I cutely held hands as we crossed over the imaginary line and celebrated our entrance into the promised land.
We have been through so much to get here, Jordan especially. We didn’t technically walk all the way from Arches to Zion but one way or another we made it. Not what any purist would call a full thru hike but also shut up it’s a route who cares.
The last few miles were still on trail, this time one that cut through a narrow valley past checkerboard Mesa. The rain was still coming done and it felt like a total slog to get through that short mile but eventually we made it to the Highway.
At the highway, we took some celebratory pictures and said goodbye to Rowan. He was going to try to figure out a way to walk into the park or least walk further than we were planning. I think we were all pretty bummed that Rowan wasn’t coming with us. I haven’t said much about him but he’s a really cool nice guy. He’s also ridiculously fast and one of the better scramblers I’ve ever seen. He definitely helped us get through the Grand Canyon faster than we would have on our own. We might see him again tomorrow if we decide to do the Zion extension.
Jack officially ended his hike on the highway, electing to not do the out and back to the closure or try to find a way over the rockfall (smart boy) and decided to join me and Jordan in Springdale.
After pictures and videos and goodbyes, we hitched on the road. It didn’t take long for a mom and daughter to pick us up. The mom was actually planning on spending a few weeks hiking the AT and asked Jack a bunch of questions since he’s done it. The drive to Springdale was really scenic with lots of great views. I’ve never been to Zion but have seen plenty of pics and videos of it and it definitely lives up to the hype. We also realized that it would def not be possible to hike through the tunnel to the park. I’m sure there’s gotta be another way in but for now this was ours.
They dropped us off at a cute coffee shop where we got vegan donuts and breakfast burritos (!!!) and went to our hotel, not far from from the main part of town.
Trashed the room as usual, even more so with all our wet sandy stuff, then got overpriced groceries and Impossible Burgers at a Cafe. I got enough extra bars for two more days in case we decided to do the extension.
We haven’t decided if we’re going to keep hiking or not. On the one hand, I’d love to see more Zion aside from the drive in but on the other, it’s supposed to rain and snow in the morning and I would like to not be wet. I got us stupid early shuttle tickets and we’re gonna head into the park and check out the touristy spots early then decided whether we want to keep hiking or not. Jack’s rich friend is gonna pick him up so if we don’t want to hike we can probably get a ride back to Hurricane.
So maybe this is the end of our hike or maybe close to it. Not sure.
Plants Outside 