We dropped in at Zion National Park and secured walk in permits for Left Fork of North Creek, more commonly called The Subway. The Narrows on steroids. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork Trailhead
Met up with Aida’s friend, Mark who had drove up from Las Vegas to hike with Aida originally as the rest of us had planned to hike from the top down. Plunging temperatures and lack of wetsuits threw that plan out the proverbial window.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Entering a wilderness that is recognized as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Going down the side of the cliffs. Photo by Aida Gordon.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Who brought the 300′ of rope? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Scrambling down a short section of loose rocks before we hit the creek.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Following the stream like so many spawning salmon.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Now how do I get back down without dropping my phone? Too late. Photo by Aida Gordon.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
One of many creek crossings on the trail. Despite the NPS (National Park Service) stating that there is no trail and that this is an off-trail wilderness route, there is an fairly obvious trail alternating on both sides of the creek bank.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Alternating between boulder hopping in the stream and on the banks.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Trying to stay dry as long as possible. Somebody said we weren’t getting wet today. I also believe Guy Hagi. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek
Everybody going their own way.
Left Fork North Creek
Going up a rock and a hard place. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek
It can’t be that hard. Let me try.
Left Fork North Creek
I think we missed the dinosaur tracks. 37°17.986 N, 113°04.207 W for future reference. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek
Trying not to get my feet wet. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek Trail
Quan scrambling around a boulder. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.
Left Fork North Creek
These trees are made for sittin’ and standing’. And that’s just what we’ll do. So take our picture!
Left Fork North Creek
Quan standing at the terraced waterfall.
Left Fork North Creek
Watching the water flow down the sandstone ledges towards Mark.
Left Fork North Creek
Getting my feet wet at the staircase waterfall. Who said we didn’t need waterproof shoes? Photo by
Left Fork North Creek
Contouring and climbing my way up the first 15′ waterfall.
Left Fork North Creek
Passing a massive alcove carved into the side of the cliff that looks like its painted with natures colors.
Left Fork North Creek
Standing in front of the second 15′ waterfall.
Train track
Lilyn straddling the crack as the water flowed down and then cascaded down the terraced falls.
The Subway
Standing at the entrance to the lower subway, made famous by countless other hikers and photographers before us.
The Subway
Entering the tube that was gouged out of the slot canyon by the power and persistence of flooding waters. I read that rivers on average can cut through three feet of solid rock every thousand years.
The Subway
Passing one of many emerald pools as we walked on the slick rock. Photo by Aida Gordon.
The Subway
End of the road for us. The adults only. Not for one particular kid.
The Subway
Watching a group rappel their way down.
The Subway
Trying to explain how to get to Stairway to Heaven to people from Utah. Thanks Aida! Photo by Aida Gordon.
Polar Bear Club
This kid just took the plunge into the icy pool. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.
The Subway
Trying not to slip on our way back out. Photo by Aida Gordon.
The Subway
Lilyn standing next to a deep and cold looking pool.
The Subway
Group photo by Mark Nemenzo at the mouth of the subway.
The Subway
Leaving the curved walls of the subway and into the arms of the warming sun.
Left Fork North Creek
Group photo at our lunch spot above one of the small waterfalls.
Left Fork North Creek
Making our way down the painted alcove.
Left Fork North Creek
Aida stepping her way down the staircase waterfall. Photo by Mark Nemenzo.
Left Fork North Creek
Creek crossing.
Left Fork North Creek
Scrambling up the slippery sandstone.
Junction
We followed the creek until we hit the sign, which marked the end of our relatively flat hike.
Left Fork North Creek
Going up the 400′ slippery slope with loose rocks underfoot. Photo by Aida Gordon.
Left Fork North Creek
Contouring to the left so we didn’t have to hike any unnecessary elevation gain.
All pau
What’s for dinner? The roaming cow gave us an idea. Post hike meal at Zion Canyon Brew Pub where bison burgers and fries hit the spot.
GPS Tracks
Our hike which is the third most sought after hike in Zion National Park, after the Narrows and Angels Landing, covered 8.39 miles through a geologic wonder filled with stunning scenery and vibrant colors. I’ll be back. Top down next time.
Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.
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