THINGS TO TAKE!
HYA! Welcome to our on-line guide through Zion Canyons backcountry hike down "The Subway," also known as "The Left Fork of North Creek."
Because of plant and animal life on this hike and also because of the beautiful and delicated scenary, park rangers have decided to limit the number of hikers aloud through the Left Fork to 50 people per day. In order to be one of those 50 people, you must acquire a permit. Permits can be purchased by phone during seasonal months several weeks in advance. Each permit costs $5.00 and can give admittance to 1-12 people (or "slots"). However, because there are only 50 actual "slots" open per-day...one permit may only cover 2 people if the other 48 "slots" have already been reserved so reservations are highly reccomended. 40 of the 50 "slots" are reserved by phone as before explained...the last 10 "slots" are saved however and only passed to those who are willing to stand outside the permit window at 7:00 a.m. (But if you bring a blanket/date and something warm to drink, it is well worth the wait).
In order to reserve a permit you will need to have specific information available such as: Your name; phone number; how many people are going in your group; description and liscense information on BOTH of the vehicles you will be taking; an emergency contact number (rescues are up to YOU, NOT the park service); and you will need to pay for your permit(s) at the window either the day before or the day of your hike. (The day before is reccomended). It is best to have exact change on you because the permit office rarely has any cash on hand. Also, if you enter the park before sun-up or after sun-down, addmitance is free...however if you wait until the toll-booth is open...they WILL make you pay the $20.00 park entrace fee even if you are JUST picking up your permit so be prepared.
There is not a lot of written information or pictures about this hike because until now, it has remained a fairly hush-hush hike...this is in part because (wisely) the park tries to discourage the casual hiker who thinks they can handle anything...those are usualy the ones that need to be rescued.
When we did get people to talk to us about the hike we were told it was a 6.5 mile hike that would take 6-9 hours...we bought a book that said it was a 9.1 mile hike that would take us two days. Now that we have done the hike (although we didn't take a mile counter) we are more inclined to believe that it is closer to 9.1 miles...and we WERE able to do the hike in 12 hours with ALOT of playing around...but we agree that it will be much more fun, next time, if we camp in the canyon and take our time.
SO! Do you think you are ready to experience "The Subway" ???
This is Bruise and he will be your travel guide...so click on him to move to the next page!
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