The Blue Team in the Narrows

It seems like every year, Jesse takes us on an epic-style hike. Last year was Havasupai, this year it was the Narrows in Zion.

Mike, Steven, Jesse, and I drove down on Friday night, pulling into the camp site in the park around 11:30. We set up as quickly as we could so we could pass out. I don't think we slept too well - and 5:30 came awfully early. We met up with the shuttle at the visitor's center at 6.

The drive up to the trail head took about an hour and ten minutes, and the last half was up a windy, unpaved road. I almost puked at one point in the drive, and Mike actually did the second we stepped off the van. Quite the beginning!

The first part of the hike was through a ranch, and it took a couple of hours before we actually dropped down into the canyon. There is no trail - you just follow the river. It was rather intense. Here are a few photos.

Some random tractor on the ranch.

Without realizing it, we formed the "Blue Team" by all wearing blue shirts.
I think the boys were trying to send out good vibes for the BYU game.
I assure you that's not why I wore it (but I'll stop my comment there).

Jesse was the happiest camper to be out playing in nature.

We spent about 50% of the hike in the water, from our ankles
up to our stomachs. It made for tricky footing and more
than one fall on my behind. Thanks heavens for the hiking sticks!

Jesse enjoyed the look on my face when he told me we had to find our way down this waterfall. (There was a trail around it - but I was thoroughly freaked for about two seconds.)

The entire Blue Team. The canyon certainly was impressive!

The entire expedition was 16 or 17 miles. That's a lot for one day - even by "Knight" standards! It was gorgeous, though, and definitely an experience to remember.

But I hurt right now. Everywhere. A lot.