Zion and Grand Canyon

[Horse Rider]

Hi,

I am going to Zion Park to do the Narrows Trail and to the Grand Canyon to do the Grandview Trail, in my Treksports/Flows/Sprints, as part of a trip to Las Vegas, and I would like to have some feedback from the ones among you who have been there already. Any advice?

[barefeet]

I did the Narrows in early June a few years ago and I definitely needed the 5-10 shoes I rented from Zion Adventure Company because the water was freezing and I'm sensitive to that. However, I saw Trek or Treksports prints in the mud all along the river, so I know people have done it. (At that time, the Trek was the only VFF with that sole).

The water's warmer and lower in August so it may be OK. I'd probably go for the Flows over the Treksports (and definitely over the Sprints) mainly because of all the big, medium, and small, smooth rocks in the river that you'll be walking over. The idrogrip sole of the Flows would just work better, I think, and I've found that the Flows have better traction on wet, smooth surfaces than my Treksports. (And I ripped my Treksports on a branch last week. There's a chance you could rip yours on a rock in the river as well.)

Whatever shoes you wear, get one of those long wooden staffs you can rent from the Zion Adventure Company (maybe other places too but I've only seen it there, and I think they're also the only ones who provide shuttle service to the top of the Narrows). I did the lower part of the Narrows (the part between Orderville and the shuttle stop at the Temple of Sinawava) without a staff and I turned my ankle just so many times in the deep, quickly flowing water because of all the rocks. Don't use metal hiking poles - when (not if, WHEN) one gets lodged between two rocks and snaps off, someone else could come along in the water and impale his or her foot.

As for the Grand Canyon - I've only done the Bright Angel trail but I'd definitely go for the Treksports. Your feet will fry in the Flows, and fill up with pebbles in the Sprints.

[Horse Rider]

Thanks for all the advice, I will use the Flows in the Narrows and carry my Treksports in case, and use my Treksports in the Canyon. I was planning on renting the pole, but thanks for confirming.

[barefeet]

Good idea about carrying the Treksports. If it's warmer and drier than anticipated, they'll certainly come in handy. Hope your trip out there is amazing!

[Horse Rider]

Ok so I am back and the Flows in the Narrows were amazing, I rented the huge shoes in case but it was only tons of weight I did not need to carry. The Treksports were also perfect for the Grand Canyon, the Grandview trail is amazingly difficult but worth the effort, there was even a cave we could visit at the end that goes very far into the mesa. Hard to find the cave though. The only thing is if I had not conditioned my feet prior to leaving (augmented my regular hiking times) it would have hurt for sure. And I NEEDED those mid-weight Injinjis I used in the canyon, they cushioned my feet tired from the Narrows the day before.


Canyon






Narrows

[barefeet]

Wow - great pictures! I'm glad the VFFs worked perfectly for you. Thanks for the update.

[The Yeti]

Awesome! Grand canyon has always been on my bucket list. It has just been moved up a couple of spots. Great shots!

[Horse Rider]

Thanks guys, we had a lot of fun and were in awe the whole time.

[monkeyshoes]

just... beautifulllllll

[DanaRe]

Being at the Grand Canyon is what convinced me to try VFFs.  We were hiking Bright Angel last October, and I saw a guy wearing Trek Sports.  At the time, I had no idea what they were other than those "goofy" shoes that I see people in at Farmer's Markets.    I thought "surely this guy can't really hike in those, right?!?"  I started doing some research the first WIFI spot I could find, and I was in VFFs by the new year.

Great pictures, I'm so jealous!!!

[Horse Rider]

Thanks! Now I know I can wear them anywhere and not worry about carrying other stuff. Go VFF's!