February 1, 2010

Zion Subway

Our first adventure in Utah's Zion National Park was in 1992.  We began at Left Fork trailhead.
The trail descends into a canyon and continues alongside, sometimes in, the left fork of North Creek.  We hiked in June, when the weather was hot enough to make wading, even in the icy stream, comfortable. 
Our hiking guide book told us to look for dinosaur tracks, and we were pleased to find them on a tilted slab of gray mudstone, part of a fossilized lakebed from the Kayenta Formation.
Note the three toes (my daughter is pointing to the center toe, with her right hand in the main part of the track.
We walked over these slippery cascades.
Strangely enough, I can't find any photos of the Subway itself, so I'm sharing some from Zion National Park's website. 
 
The above photo may explain why the area is called "the Subway."  
The hike is about 6 miles round trip, best taken in warm weather to allow for comfortable wading.  (This area isn't as well known as the Zion Narrows hike along the Virgin River, but it is less crowded and has much unique beauty to offer.  I wish I could share the Narrows hike also, but I dropped my camera in the river on that one!)
For views from other worlds, click here.

26 comments:

  1. what a contrast this Zion Subway from your cold cold header photo.

    Looks like you have fun with your family.

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  2. that is one of my must-sees. i really really envy you.

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  3. Zions is a wonderful place to visit. Love your pictures.

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  4. LOVE. THIS. POST! We went to Zion a couple of years ago but flash flood season and little girls in tow meant we couldn't do such a hike. We will be back. I love those cascades. Thanks so much for sharing this. I didn't even know about the subway.

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  5. Janie...great photos..you really showed your children great adventures and beautiful places...thank you for sharing them with us too...

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  6. Fantastic captures and post for the day, Janie! I love Zion! Haven't been there in many years but your photos brought back such great memories of the beauty there! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  7. Hi Janie, WOW ---that place is awesome. I'm going to write this one down. Maybe someday we will get there. I can understand how it got its name. NEAT...

    Love the cascades --and I'll bet they were slippery. The dinosaur tracks are awesome.

    Thanks so much for sharing this..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Very cool! I'd love to go there, looks so beautiful and very interesting!

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  9. We've had friends tell us how wonderful Zion is, but I haven't seen any pictures this enticing before. I really need to get out there.

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  10. Beautiful scenic trail. The cliffs are beautiful and I am amazed to see the dinosaur tracks.

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  11. Very excited to see a place I have actually been in one of your adventure posts! My mother and I drove across country in '77 and stopped there. Next to the badlands, It was my favorite park. Made my spirit soar! Thanks for the memory!

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  12. Wow, those tracks are really cool. Talk about being transported back in time (both by the tracks and looking at the old photos). Time flies! (Just ask the dinosaurs ...)

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  13. I was at Zion years ago but I don't remember going to the Subway. It's magnificent!

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  14. That is one amazing place. I hope to find my way there on my next visit to the US. Fingers cross! :-) Thanks for a wonderful post!

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  15. It looks as though you had a wonderful outing. Those canyons beg to be loved and explored.

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  16. I bet the children were amazed by the dinosaur tracks! Great in-the-field learning for your family!

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  17. thank you for sharing the Subway.
    Great!! But poor your camera was!!

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  18. What a lovely warm and colourful post Janie. I love "The subway" Your photos remind me of hiking in our mountains with the children. Now it's with the children and grandchildren! So sorry about your camera. I have learnt the hard way have the strap secured around my neck especially when moving about with my camera. Thanks for your kind wishes on my baby-arrival post. Have a wonderful week. (((Hugs))) Jo

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  19. Beautiful photos of a wonderful family fun and adventures!

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  20. A facsinating place to hike, that footprint is amazing. I'm always worried about dropping my camera when photographing water!

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  21. This is simply fantastic !! This is a place i would love to visit again and again !!Great

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  22. Zion is a favorite place for me as well ... your photos bring back memories of traveling there with my parents in my teens and I've been back many times. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  23. It looks a fascinating and beautiful place.

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