Be One With the Water | Backpacking The Narrows | Zions Wilderness

The Narrows, Zions National Park

The Narrows, Zions National Park

Hiking the Narrows in Zions Nation Park from top to bottom takes you on a journey through towering canyon walls, a lush spring, and deep pools of water. The trail is about 16 miles long and can be done as a long day hike or an overnighter with a permit issued through the Park.

I Could Be Home Right Now!

I backpacked this trail with my husband a while back. At the time, the river was low making the trek easier. But for my second time, the river was much higher, the current stronger and there were three swim spots. Now, this would normally excite me and make the experience more memorable. But instead, a thought kept plaguing my mind: “I could be home right now curled up on the couch. Why am I doing this?”

My Wounded Pride

A month before this hike, I was backpacking the Alaska Basin, Idaho. As we were hiking, we came across a stream. As I hopped from one rock to another, trying not to get my shoes wet, I slipped on a rock and fell into the stream.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quickly got up, and as I took another step forward my feet slipped out from underneath me and I fell backward landing on a rock, scarring my friends, and crushing my pride in one quick mishap.

The backpack caught my fall and kept my head from crashing onto the rock. Thankfully I wasn’t injured. But the experience bothered me and I kept thinking about what if…  

Feeling Vulnerable

Walking along the stream leading up to the Canyon of the Narrows, my mind was fixated on what had happened in the Alaska Basin and how quickly an accident could happen. I suddenly felt vulnerable and incapable of continuing on a trail covered by water for the next 15 miles. As we continued hiking, I couldn’t get rid of this feeling of fear. I was worried about falling.    

After hiking for a few miles we sat down to eat a snack. I sat quietly keeping to myself. My friends had noticed my mood but thankfully they didn’t ask me any questions. If they had, I don’t think I would have been able to hold back the tears.

Be One With the Water

I knew I couldn’t continue like this. I wanted to enjoy the adventure but this feeling of fear was holding me back! As we continued hiking, the canyon walls narrowed and the flowing river was the only sound heard. During this quiet moment, I began to say a prayer asking for help. A thought entered my mind, “Be one with the water”.

I don’t know if this thought was inspired by Bruce Lee who famously said, “Be water, my friend”, but these simple words, “Be one with the water”,  brought me comfort, changed my mindset, and eventually changed my entire experience in the Narrows.  

Enjoy the Journey

I began to repeat the words, “Be one with the water” as I stepped over the rocks covered by the flowing river. Over time I started to feel calm. My mood slowly changed and I felt more confident with each step.

Nature was not out to get me! Instead, she was there to remind me to push through the obstacles and challenge my fears. She was there to remind me to look around at my surroundings and appreciate the beauty of it all.

Your Reward

When you reach the end of the journey you’re rewarded with an incredible feeling, a feeling of achievement from overcoming your own challenges whether physical, emotional, or a combination of both. Be one with nature, my friend. Happy hiking! And keep on trekking!

Candice