The Subway, at Zion

[Hnak]

A couple months ago I saw a post describing a group of folks doing a number of different canyons in Zion. This sounded like a lot of fun, so I emailed a friend who lives up there and asked if she could sign me up for a couple of the canyons. As the weeks went by, she switched me from one hike to another, trying to fit everybody in. I was pretty flexible, not really caring what canyon I was doing. For a while I was signed up do do a route called Englestead Hollow, which starts off with a 300 foot rappel...

As it finally turned out, I did a route called the 'Subway' on Saturday, and was signed up for 'Rock Canyon' on Sunday. Due to a number of reasons, the Rock Canyon hike was canceled, and I just came home on Sunday.

We did a car shuttle for the Subway hike, leaving a couple cars at the take out area, then driving up to the upper access point. The route down into the canyon was really pretty, crossing a lot of sandstone slick rock areas, and then a steep climb down to the bed of the canyon. From here the route just follows the water downstream. There are a few chockstones that need a hand line to get down, and a few narrow (and cold!) pools to swim through, and lots of really beautiful canyon scenery to walk through. There was only one spot where some of the people in the group used their harness and rappel device. It was a steep 30 foot slope with an eight to ten foot drop at the end. After that it was pretty easy, just walking down the creek bed, then along paths along the creek for a mile or two. After a lunch stop at a small creek coming in from the west, we hiked a short ways further, then started the climb out of the canyon. After a mile or so, and 800 feet of climbing, we were back at the rim. Less than a mile and we were back at the lower trail head. Great hike!

That evening, we had a big pot luck get together, accompanied by lots of food and laughter. We heard tales of the other hikes that has taken place that day, the accident in Englestead (nothing really bad...), and plans for Sunday...

On my way home on Sunday, I was once again given the indication that I lead a charmed life. After driving all the way to Zion and back, through a LOT of very empty country, the fuel pump on the Jimmy quit working about 6 miles from home. I called a tow truck, and 30 minutes later the Jimmy was at a garage, and I was at home, getting ready to go to sleep. A wonderful weekend all around....

Hank

P.S. Some pictures are here:
http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/modules.php?set_albumName=albwf07&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

here's a link to another trip report, the second half is the Subway hike we did:
http://www.bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17738&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY

[desertgirl]

Glad you had a great trip -- now where are the pictures -- You know you can't tell us you went to Subway and not post pictures

Ok -- I went and found them ...now I wanna go to Zion!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[Suz]

Loved the pictures. I have a gazillion questions for you. This one has been on my list.

[Hnak]

[Suz]

How about labor day weekend? I should be perfectly recovered by then.

[jdahling]

[Suz]

you, me, hank.....that's 3!

[desertgirl]

me 2
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[Hnak]

I'll check to see what is involved with getting a permit. They only allow 60 people through there per day, and I think that a permit can be for no more than 12 people. I'll post more information as I find out...

Sounds fun to me!
_________________
The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY

[Trishness]

This is a COOL canyoneering hike that I did last year...there are several sections of really cold pools. I am not much of a rock climber but I found out I can rappel quite well.

Here is a synopsis of the hike from my friends at UTAH.com

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/subway.htm

Have a great time with this! I sure did



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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

[CyclingNurse]

Beautifull Pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[Suz]

Let's Do IT!
Tentative interest in this for Labor Day Weekend
1. ME!
2. Hank
3. Jeannine
4. Ambika
5. Guru
6. Tommy
7. Nestor
8. Sande
9. Jim (has other plans so just a minor maybe)
10 Saved for Hank's friend
11 Saved for Hank's friend
12.

The Plan as I might suggest it
Friday Drive to Page (camp or hotel)
Saturday - Flexible in case we have to stand in line for permits...maybe Angel's Landing again(camp or hotel) or North Fork
Sunday - The Subway (camp or hotel)
Monday--Drive home --maybe Buckskin Gulch if we can get an early start.

[Hnak]

Sounds great! Let's leave a spot or two open for a friend or two I have in the Zion area, and who might also be able to help get the permit...

If it turns out that the Subway is totally booked, should I look into other canyons in the area? (there are LOTS of them, with varying degrees of technical difficulty) Also, even the Subway has a few places where ropes are necessary, either as hand lines, or a very short rappel....
_________________
The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY

[Suz]

Edited the post above to save you a couple of slots for friends.

[Hnak]

Thanks!
_________________
The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY