I set my alarm for 5 a.m. I successfully and accidentally led people astray in the parking lot. I had no idea where to go and I turned around and ask, “Are you following me? Because I don’t know where I am going.” They responded, “You sure looked confident in where you were going.”
After getting lost in the dark, I found the buses.
People recommended getting the first buses at 6 a.m. I didn’t quite make a 6 a.m. bus, but I was on it by 6:15 a.m. I rented my gear the night before. I had a walking stick, canyoneering shoes, and neoprene socks.
I wish I had discovered neoprene socks earlier in life. They would be an excellent item for my family’s cabin.
I am glad I hiked Angel’s Landing the day before in the hot sun. Most of my bus got off at Angel’s Landing, which meant there were going to be a lot of people lining up to hike it. Only one couple got off at The Narrows.
The Narrows is indeed basically walking in a river for about 4 miles roundtrip. The total hike is about 8 miles, and maybe about half of it you could walk on land.
There was one part where I was about chest-deep in water. I came to this large rock and saw another couple hanging out there, and they weren’t sure which direction to go where it would be shallower.
I discovered in talking with another couple on the way back I had chosen wrong. I went left when most people went right. Oh well, a ruined first aid kit, a few protein bars, and a few other items got wet that I needed to toss because there is an advisory notice for a certain type of bacteria in the water.
The Narrows is spectacular. Very peaceful when people are not around, which was the case early in the morning and farther into the hike.
On the way back, it was a zoo. Many people were out.
I was feeling very thankful for my health and younger body. I saw many people having a hard time navigating the river. I only saw one person fall though.
I finished the day by driving to Bryce Canon.