Day 343: September 3, 2005 - The Zion Narrows

by Christian Williams
I had spent a lot of time in the Narrows before, but I had yet to hike the entire 16 mile stretch. Karen was pregnant at this point and didn't feel up to it, so I brought along my hiking buddy Randy. Note to self, when choosing a hiking buddy in the future, don't go with someone who runs marathons for fun.

The Narrows is one of the most amazing places, with rock walls towering high above you and nothing but the river in between. Naturally, during the rain season or high-water periods hiking is restricted.

To hike the Narrows requires a day permit. To save on time, we picked the permit up on the previous day, and started the hike at dawn from the trail head at Chamberlain Ranch. The beginning of the hike is very interesting as the trail starts along flat ground with a small stream running alongside. As you walk, the stream gets larger and larger, and the canyon walls climb higher and higher. This waterfall is one of the earlier sights along the hike.

Orderville Canyon connects into the Narrows. We took a short detour hike down the canyon and back to the main section, which added a few miles to our trip. Hiking in a river is extremely tiring by about the tenth mile, the constant water resistance on my feet really stressed the tendons in my ankles.

This waterfall is called Big Spring, a year round fresh spring. It's a stunning sight to be rounding the corner and have this oasis appear in the middle of the river.

Epilogue: The hike took all day. We didn't get home until past night fall (because we had to shuttle back to pick up our car at the top of the trail head). From the fatigue and constant water exposure my body was shivering continuously as I drove myself the one hour drive home. I probably had mild hypothermia. I remember being so cold when I got home, I walked straight into the shower, turned it on hot and passed out for about 3 seconds! Then I got back up and was fine. The next day my legs were quite sore (Randy on the other hand wasn't phased at all). But it was an awesome hike.

Day 283: July 5, 2005 - The Subway

by Christian Williams
The Subway is a very famous landmark in Zion, so named for its tunnel-like shape. Permits are required and only a few people are allowed in each day. The hike is pretty far, through a river, and very tiring, but the views are absolutely stunning. Zion is full of beautiful places, but this unique canyon is one of the most fantastic hikes I have ever been on.

by Christian Williams
The clear water was beautiful, glowing with colors of green, gold, and blue.

by Christian Williams
Yes, the water is snow melt, and it was incredibly cold. It was a hot summer day, but Karen had to go warm up in the sun after this little dip in the river.

by Christian Williams
This year had so much rainfall that the river was higher than normal, which made the hike a little tougher, with some spots where Karen actually had to swim across small pools of water. The cold water was quite refreshing on this hot summer day, but I wouldn't want to brave this hike in cold weather!

by Karen Williams
While the Subway itself was beautiful, I felt that the hike to get there was the best part. Large pools, small waterfalls, and vivid green plants made this hike seem like it belongs in a more tropical location than southern Utah.

by Christian Williams

by Christian Williams
There were waterfalls all around. It was a spectacular place to hike.

by Karen Williams
One of the reasons so few people are allowed into this hike is that there is no nice trail next to the river leading to the Subway. We had to hike in the river often, and up these delicate layered waterfalls. The impact on the landscape would be pretty severe if the trail was packed with hikers. Another benefit to the hiker limit, is that we rarely encountered anyone. This beautiful hike was enjoyed mostly in solitude - except when we luckily met a couple who told us we would have to scale a fallen tree to get to the upper part of the canyon where the Subway was located! Next time we will bring some rope to help with some minor climbing and repelling.

Day 280: July 2, 2005 - Jolley Gulch

by Karen Williams
When we were backpacking up on the East Rim Trail, we crossed over a waterfall that was in a canyon called Jolley Gulch. We decided to try and find it from down below so we could check out the waterfall. On the way up the canyon, I spotted this butterfly and loved the intricate patterns on its body and wings.

by Christian Williams
Here is the waterfall in Jolley Gulch. It required a bit of hiking, scrambling, and a whole lot of getting wet to get there, but the views in the canyon were well worth the effort.

Day 238: May 21, 2005 - Upper Emerald Pool

by Christian Williams
Karen and I hiked up to the Upper Emerald Pools, a beautiful hike with wonderful views of the main canyon, and with so much water this year, the waterfalls were spectacular as well. When we reached the uppermost waterfall, we noticed these hikers rappelling down the falls. I have no idea what hike ends at the top of the falls, but it is a long way down from there!

by Christian Williams
A picture of the whole waterfall to give a perspective of how large it is. If you look closely you can see the rappelling hikers.

by Karen Williams
Although I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, I also found this great lizard with a beautiful blue belly. Uncle Bill, I am sorry I can't remember the name, I know you must have taught us what this little guy is called on one of our many hiking trips! I love the varied textures and patterns in this scene, with the rough bark next to the orderly, spiny lizard scales.

Day 223: May 6, 2005 - Waterfall

by Karen Williams
One of my favorite things about Zion in the spring time is that any canyon you explore while the snow is melting, is sure to offer a waterfall coming off a cliff. To hike here in summer, you would never suspect how much running water can be found in other times of year. Zion is a great place to explore during all the seasons, as the face of the park changes and offers unique views each time you visit.

Day 212: April 25, 2005 - Cockeye Falls

by Karen Williams
On this beautiful sunny day, I stopped to view Cockeye Falls, a waterfall only present occasionally on rainy days or when there is sufficient snow melting in the upper areas of Zion.

Day 163: March 7, 2005 - Waterfalls

by Christian Williams

Near the entrance to the Zion Narrows, I stopped to take a photo of this waterfall.

Day 150: February 22, 2005 - Flowing Water

by Christian Williams

I decided to seek out more waterfalls, as the rain and dreary weather continued in Zion this winter. I like the patterns the falling water made in the pond.

By Christian Williams
I came across a small cave that was formed by a rock slide. There was water dripping with a faint amount of light shining into the cave. I couldn't see the inside clearly, but I thought I would try a long 20 second exposure to see how the light and water mist played out in the picture.

Day 149: February 21, 2005 - Hidden Waterfalls

By Christian Williams
With all the storms this winter, the waterfalls keep coming back to all the diverse mountain faces of Zion. In little coves through the park I find waterfalls tucked away where few people come to see them.

Day 140: February 12, 2005 - Waterfalls

by Christian Williams

I revisited the Hidden Falls area to explore more of the area in search of waterfalls. There are many waterfalls tumbling down the mountain near the switchbacks of Zion tunnel, and I found plenty of beautiful places to take pictures.

By Christian Williams
A beautiful little cove with a small waterfall feeding a pond before the water continues down the moutain.

Day 124: January 27, 2005 - Hidden Falls

by Christian Williams

These photos are from an area I like to call, "Hidden Falls". When driving the switchbacks to Zion tunnel, just above Pine Creek, there is a waterfall that can be found only when it rains. It is not visible from the road, only when one stops at a certain pullout on the switchbacks and hikes around the corner can it be seen. On this rainy day I hiked over to the falls which is quite large, and took some photos. As I followed the stream down from the main pool, however, I found a multitude of small falls that attracted my interest, and I spent time photographing many of these mini waterfalls.

by Christian Williams

An interesting view of another waterfall. The large fallen tree is a reminder of the many storms and flash floods that have left behind much debris.

Day 115: January 18, 2005 - Upper Emerald Falls

by Christian Williams
I was drawn to this compisition of Upper Emerald Falls because it shows how massive the cliff faces of Zion truly are. Emerald Falls is a towering waterfall, but it looks like a small trickle next to the massive walls in the main canyon of Zion National Park.

Day 112: January 15, 2005 - Sunshine on Ice

by Christian Williams
The sun came out and the tourists came back to Weeping Rock. I already took a picture of this, but with the sun shining down I wanted to take another photo before the unique ice at the base of the waterfall melted away.

Day 111: January 14, 2005 - Spooky Tree

by Christian Williams
The melting snow in the top of the canyons created a waterfall that froze in the cold shade of this canyon. I intentionally placed the dormant tree in the foreground of this photo because it reminded me of the Spooky Old Tree from the Berenstein Bears. If you haven't read the book, you should - it is a classic.

Day 110: January 13, 2005 - Frozen Weeping Rock

by Christian Williams

The weather was very unique this year. The rapid changes in temperature from one day to the next led to waterfalls, icicles, and frozen plants that we have not experienced any other year in the park. The weather got so cold this morning that the plants all around this waterfall froze inspite of the water pouring down on them.

by Christian Williams
This large waterfall in front of Weeping Rock is usually just a trickle of water, but this winter it turned into a stunning waterfall from all the snow melt.

Day 108: January 11, 2005 - The Snow Melt Continues

by Christian Williams

I went for a long hike through East Zion and as I hiked back into the canyons there were waterfalls everywhere from the rain and melting snow. The floods in the Virgin River and Washington County continued to worsen as the rain showed no signs of stopping.

Day 107: January 10, 2005 - Gooseneck Road

by Christian Williams
For some reason, this photo is one of my favorites. Everything in Zion was soaking wet, giving a rich lively color to the landcape. Perhaps I like this photo so much because I've driven hundreds of times on this twisting switchback road. Or maybe it's the mile long rain/snow melt induced waterfall in the background, that continued down all the way from the top of Mount Spry above.

Day 106: January 9, 2005 - Flash Flood

by Karen Williams

After several days of heavy snow, the temperatures warmed up, and the snow was followed by rain. This was the start of a historic 100-year flash flood, which devestated downstream Washington County.

by Christian Williams
What started in East Zion as little waterfalls completely flooded Pine Creek, with the river being added to by waterfalls from canyons throughout the park.
 

by Christian Williams
We of course hiked down toward the flooded Pine Creek area for a better view and better photos, and had to stop for a bit of fun.

Day 93: December 27, 2004 - Coal Pits Creek

by Christian Williams
I spent the previous two days camping above Coal Pits Wash alone, because Karen went to visit her family for a few days. Early in the morning, I followed the small creek that runs through Coal Pits Wash, enjoying the solitude of an icy winter's morning. Spending 93 days in Zion was amazing, but trying to find something unique to photograph everyday was proving to be difficult. Some days we spent more time in Zion than others. With several days all to myself, it was nice to simply wander around the park, without worrying about how much time I had available to shoot a good photograph. Within a few minutes of coming across this lovely scene, I knew all the hard work had been done, and I just had to setup the tripod and push a button.

Day 75: December 9, 2004 - Flowing Water

by Christian Williams
As the snow began to melt, waterfalls formed all over the park. It is an interesting experience to be in Zion when the snow is melting - the sound of running water fills every area of the Park, and every wall and canyon comes alive with flowing water.