THE TOWN OF LA VERKIN SITS A COMFORTABLE 30 MINUTES FROM THE ENTRANCE TO ZION AND IS A GREAT PLACE TO CHOOSE AS HOME BASE. STAY AT THE DWELLINGS. THERES ALSO PLENTY OF OTHER COOL SHIT THAT ISN’T ZION RELATIVELY CLOSE AND ANOTHER NEARBY TOWN CALLED ST. GEORGE HAS SOME BIG BOX SHOPPING AND A SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET.
THE “BEST” HIKES AND VIEWS ARE PASSIONATELY DISCUSSED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THESE ARE CERTIFIED DOPE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM LA VERKIN/THE DWELLINGS.
CATHEDRAL WASH: THIS IS SOME INDIANA JONES TYPE SHIT. YOU HIKE THROUGH A DRIED UP RIVER THAT USED TO FEED THE COLORADO. THIS HIKE IS AS MENTALLY CHALLENGING AS IT PHYSICAL AND FOR THOSE PREPARED TO OVERCOME DOUBT AND FEAR THE PAYOFF IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT.
THE NARROWS: YOU’VE SEEN IT EVERYWHERE ALREADY BUT DON’T BE A BASIC BILL AND GO EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH THE HORDES OF TOURISTS. A VEHICLE AND BIKE RACK IS REQUIRED FOR THE PRO MOVE BELOW.
START IN THE AFTERNOON AND HEAD TO LARRY AT ZION BIKES FOR $40 PEDAL BIKE RENTALS. LARRY IS A LEGEND AND WILL LET YOU RETURN THEM THE NEXT DAY (A RARE THING IN ZION). ENTER ZION AND PARK AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO THE NARROWS TRAIL, WILL LIKELY BE ABOUT 8 MILES AWAY DUE TO ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS. RIDE TO THE TRAILHEAD, ARRIVING BY 3 OR 4PM. EARLIER HIKERS WILL HAVE LEFT WALKING STICKS, GRAB ONE. HIKE THE NARROWS TO AT LEAST THE FORK IN THE PATH TO EXPERIENCE THE NARROWEST AREA AND ENJOY FULL SHADE AND FEW OR NO OTHER TOURISTS. BIKE BACK TO THE PARKING AREA AT SUNSET AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS ON THE ENTIRELY DOWNHILL RIDE.
CATHEDRAL WASH TRAIL ENTRANCE. GOOD LUCK AND FOLLOW THE CAIRNS.