The Narrows hike is a phenomenal hike that should be on every outdoors lovers bucket list. In order to get the most out of hiking the Narrows, some planning and precautions should be made in advance. The hefty climb up to Observation Point is another popular hike, the reward being jaw-dropping views across Zion. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, pale appearance, stomach cramps, and cool clammy skin. If you don't drink the water, and if you don't put your face into the water it is absolutely safe. Children are especially vulnerable to cyanotoxins, so be mindful of where they go if you are near a body of water like the Virgin River. Smaller resealable bags provide extra protection for cameras and other valuables. Since then, scientists have detected the toxin-producing cyanobacteria at extreme levels, including in the Narrows section of the Virgin River. On May 8, 2022, Cale Green, Ryan Stassel and I drove into Zion National Park with no plans and few expectations. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Narrows is usually closed from mid-March through mid-May. If you don't drink the water, and if you don't put your face into the water it is absolutely safe. E. coli is not associated with the algae, and human feces in the Narrows contribute much more to those high levels than livestock or wildlife. Are they thinking it will just flush out? It is a hazard in narrow canyons because immersion in water is the quickest route to body heat loss. more information on current conditions National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning. Symptoms of algal poisoning include skin rash, salivation, drowsiness, tingling, burning, numbness, pain, incoherent speech, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea. The farthest hikers were allowed to go was Scout Lookout. When this happens, fish and other animals that live in water may not have enough oxygen to breathe and may die. In low levels, it is fine to be in the water as algal toxins are ubiquitous in fresh waters. Trekking poles are highly recommended and will help you maintain balace. There have been no reported incidences to humans due to the bacteria in the water. Despite the forecast, flooding is possible at any time, and floods have occurred on days they were not expected. Sudden changes in water clarity from clear to muddy. The National Park Service and the Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) have been monitoring the cyanobacteria in the north fork of the Virgin River since July 7, when a 5-month-old husky puppy died within minutes from algal poisoning. Id give it some time for the rockfall to be cleaned up and the trails repaired. When the shuttle is not in operation (December, January, and February) you are permitted drive along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Most of the time the river is ankle to knee deep, but all top-down hikers should be prepared for deep sections where swimming is required. It is such a unique hike that cant be done in many other places. PROBABLE: Some slot canyons are expected to experience flash flooding. Children and dogs are thought to be particularly sensitive and warrant special vigilance. From a safety standpoint it is okay to hike the narrows, so long as all park guidelines are followed. The park rangers managed the line, sending small groups of hikers up every few minutes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-109733051', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Narrows. ZION NATIONAL PARK (ABC4 News) A hike through the Narrows may sound irresistible in near triple-digit heat, but rangers at Zion National Park recommend that visitors avoid all contact in the Virgin River until further notice amid an ongoing toxic algal bloom first detected earlier this summer. Another tipfor anyone else flying in, LAS was a great airport option for us. The sound of waves crashing can be heard in the background. A "top-down" backpacking trip in the Zion Narrows, in Utah's Zion National Park. We have water bladders and some water bottles we were going to bring so we werent planning on filtering water. (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service) Toxic cyanobacteria forms shelves at the waterline, including bulbous growths like this. Cyanobacteria blooms that harm people, animals, or the environment are called cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. Traveling into the Virgin River Narrows, even on short trips, can be challenging and risky and requires careful planning before you begin. Orderville Canyon is away from the main Narrows hike. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On The Narrows hike is as long as 16 miles and can take over 8 hours to hike. 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. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some people only walk a short distance in and may need only 1 hour. New storm, more snow potential for the weekend, WATCH: ISS gives stunning look over snow-covered, 14-year-old finds alleged robber through social media, Police say Allan had a gun, refused to cooperate, 2 in critical condition after SLC intersection crash, Family of Farmington shooting victim releases statement, Gas Tracker: Find the cheapest gas prices in Utah, Video Programmer Closed Captioning Quality Certification, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. My wife and I are heading to Zion for a few days and were planning on hiking the Narrows either this Sunday or Monday. A possible or probable flash flood potential should be a serious cause for concern. Thanks very much. Is it safe to hike the Narrows cyanobacteria? And finding them on the bottoms and sides of rivers is a new phenomenon. Learn more about hiking to Observation Point here. The narrow slot canyons found throughout the area are highly susceptible to flash floods, so make sure to take every caution and abandon your hike if you feel the conditions are not right. LV-GC-Page-Bryce-Zion, Best "base" place to stay (visiting Zion/Bryce/North Rim). Check with the Wilderness Office at zion_park_information@nps.gov or 435-772-0170 for more information. I hope that this information all about hiking The Narrows for beginners is helpful while you prepare for your trip. Aside from everything else that Ive discussed above, here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions from hikers. Due to cold water temperature and high water levels, the trail is closed in winter and spring. To reach Mystery Falls, youll only need to hike about 1/2 mile from the canyon entrance. The late summer and early fall months are the best times to hike the Narrows. Zion Outfitters offers a package that has the boots, socks, and walking stick for around $25 per person. Top ways to experience The Narrows and nearby attractions The Narrows: Zion National Park Private Guided Hike 11 Recommended from RM 1,703.46 per adult (price varies by group size) East Zion Crimson Canyon Hike & UTV Adventure 166 Recommended Walking Tours from RM 400.02 per adult Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic 25 Recommended from Having said that what easy hiking trail you will suggest for us? The best time to hike The Narrows is from late May to October, but watch out for summer thunderstorms that can cause deathly flash floods.4 days ago. The extreme heat and lack of rain are good for cyanobacteria, but not for park visitors. At 150 cubic feet per second, The Narrows closes. Can I hike The Narrows in February? Zion National Park received almost no rain last year, not enough to scour, Fickas said. Tons of people there! We were careful not to ingest any and everyone was fine. You dont have to worry about anything because your guide will have it all covered! More information about the. Appreciate any more first-hand accounts of people who have hiked this recently. Spring and Fall: Hike with multiple layers that can be removed and added as needed as the outside air temperature changes. The Narrows 5 3,613 #1 of 42 things to do in Zion National Park National Parks Hiking Trails Visit website Call Write a review About Zion's most popular hiking trail is also its most dangerous due to occasional flash floods. All of these items can be rented from Zion Outfitters, which is located right outside the southern gate of Zion National Park. Youll know youve reached Wall Street when the canyon walls get narrower (only 22 feet wide!) If you hike 3-miles in, youre only halfway done, and your hike will end up being 6-miles total. Its the narrowest section of Zion Canyon and begins just after the Orderville Canyon junction. Depending on the water levels in Zion Canyon, The Narrows hike is open year-round. Its very important to remember that you must pack out all trash (including solid human waste) when hiking in The Narrows (and anywhere else!). Hiking boots with good ankle support are best. The Narrows is typically open year-round, as long as the temperatures and water levels cooperate. Has anyone done the hike recently? They are stating that 30 percent of the forecast area will be affected by measurable precipitation. Arne Delfs and Michael Nienaber. Try to get on the first shuttle bus out of the visitor center. It is still safe to hike The Narrows but do not drink the water or submerge your head. When you hike the Narrows, you are hiking in the North Fork of the Virgin River through an immense slot canyon. If you have dreams of hiking to Hidden Canyon or Weeping Rock, you will have to wait until the hiking trail is repaired. Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon are also very close to Zion. And because it is in a river, there isnt much elevation gain at all. Donate to the newsroom now. It is important to drink fluids, but it is also important to eat. Not saying its risk-free but many people were doing it. About two weeks at Zion , Arches, etc. But well wait until the kinks are worked out. The most common cause of lower leg injuries is jumping from rocks. I know thats early, but if you are planning to hike Angels Landing, you will have a much better experience going early, since you can hike the chain section without two-way traffic. Cyanobacteria may produce dangerous liver and nervous system toxins; toxin concentrations can reach levels that affect the health of people, pets, and livestock. At one point, there was a 2 hour wait just to start the hike. If youre only planning on doing part of the hike, you can start later in the day. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. We are family of 5, including two children 11 years old. Trail explorer. The shuttle operates 7 days a week beginning mid-March. Can You Hike The Narrows Without Getting Wet? Required fields are marked *. Be Ready to Get Wet First, understand that for almost the entire hike, your feet and parts of your legs will be submerged in water. Returning down river is much easier and quicker as you go with the flow of the river. Walking Stick: A must to help keep your balance. Understanding The Narrows Flow Rate Conditions At flow rates of 0-150 CFS, the river is open and accessible to Bottom-Up Hikers and considered safe to hike. is it safe to hike the narrows cyanobacterianopixel tsunami schedule. 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. Note: Always be aware of your personal limitations whenever youre hiking. Because there is no high ground once youve reached Wall Street, its especially important to be aware of flash flooding. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The price includes the tour, transportation, equipment, and lunch for the day. Is it safe to hike the Narrows cyanobacteria? For this reason, youll need to hop on the shuttle and take it all the way to stop #9, the Temple of Sinawava. Contact the Utah Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 with concerns about cyanotoxin poisoning and call 911 in the event of a medical emergency. Do not jump. Note that there is currently a warning about toxic cyanobacteria in the Virgin River. Left a pretty severe rash on my foot! Layers: Since you will be in a canyon, the temperature will be cooler than other areas in the park, so be sure to pack extra layers that you can use if you get cold, or shed if you get warm. Fatigue and weakness Anatoxins are consistently released into the water of streams with some of the genera of Microcoleus. However, conditions can change. Hypothermia occurs when the body is cooled to dangerous levels. No issues with getting sick. It is an awesome national park, but due to trail closures, crowd levels, and high bacteria levels in the Virgin River, this park is dealing with some very unique challenges right now. We are talking an hour wait or longer. While toxic algal blooms were once thought to be restricted to lakes, ponds and reservoirs, theyre now being found in rivers. But in reality, as long as youre prepared, doing this hike is completely doable for people of many skill levels! Plus, you wont have to carry around your own soaking-wet shoes and socks afterward. We were at Zion April 4-6. We respect your privacy. Canyoneering Boots: These boots are waterproof and are designed to be used in the slippery conditions that youll face. Note: If I didnt have my walking stick, I would have ended up in the water upwards of 10 times. "E. colihuman feces in the Narrows contribute much more to those high levels than livestock or wildlife.". In the meantime, there is enough to do in the American Southwest to keep us busy for a very long time. If you are heading into the park to go hiking, make sure you know the correct shuttle stop for your hike. 1. It's the same with flash flood warnings in the Zion Canyons. Is It Safe To Hike The Narrows Cyanobacteria? The bacteria really like warm weather, said Kate Fickas, aquatic biologist and environmental scientist with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. All three of these hikes start at the same trailhead, the East Rim trailhead.