Is Hiking The Subway Worth It?

#thesubway #zionnationalpark #landscapephotography

After spending a few days in the Kaibab National Forest, I headed over to Zion National Park.

I have been to Zion 4 times now.

It’s a beautiful place, for sure.

It has, however, become like going to Disney.

There are a few trailheads to access which get you away from the people, but in general, if you wish to do anything in the park, you must brave the crowds.

The line to get through the gate was backed up probably 50 cars deep…at 8am. It was nearly impossible to find parking, just to access the visitor center so that I might see if by chance there would be a permit available to hike The Subway.

I had thought that I would take the next step in tackling my fear of heights by using the opportunity of being in the park to scale the famed Angels Landing trail as well. Yet, looking around at all the people, noticing the vast numbers of cars and visitors, I knew this popular hike (the most popular in Zion) would be swarming with people. Hiking a cliff edge with 1200 foot drop offs while holding a single chain…dealing with hundreds of others attempting to do so at the same time, was not wise in my eyes.

The Subway is a supposed Iconic hike for a photographer.

It’s a 10 mile round trip where the end is reported to be an epic photographic highlight.

It required a permit that, much like The Wave, is coveted and very hard to get.

It just so happened there was a single permit available which had not been picked up. They let me have it.

I paid my $15 bucks and headed to the trail head, 19 miles down the road on the far west side of the park.

Given the limited permits, this meant I would face fewer people. I liked that idea.

The temps would be in the high 90’s for the day with no cloud cover.

The start of the hike was a descent about 600 plus feet into the ravine, then following the river for about 4 miles over rocks and boulders the entire hike.

Yes, the water falls toward the end leading to the Subway were lovely. Yes, the Subway itself was pretty cool.

However, it was not what I had hoped.

The images I was able to attain with my Nikon were okay, but they were not what I thought they could be.

I did learn, there is a very specific time to go to the Subway to get the perfect shot.

They are early morning to mid morning in April and October. The other times…not so much.

I have to say that I would not do this hike again.

The worst part was being parched and incredibly thirsty toward the end of the hike. Even though I took a gallon of water/gatorade, it was not enough.

I had a very tough time on that final 600 foot, very steep ascent out of the canyon.

This is not to mention that I fell vary hard, on a rock, crushing my phone…and my left glute on the way in at about mile 2. (dang it I wished at that moment I listed to my rushing self when my mind said…”bring your trekking poles”)

Trekking another 8 miles with that pain was not helping matters at all. Particularly the climbing, stepping up portions of the trail.

At any rate, I made it finally. Taking my time, resting a lot, hoping to not pass out from being dehydrated.

While I am grateful for the opportunity to see this iconic location, I was not overly impressed. I can’t say that I recommend it to others.

Other than the Deer Trap Mountain hike and trailhead, accessible from outside the park hence avoiding the masses, I do believe this is the last time I will visit Zion National park.

The crowds and traffic just don’t line up with my idea of solace and peace one hopes to find in the National Park System.

~rob out