AboutMike Expertise I can answer questions about backpacking a snowshoeing in the American West: Mountains, Canyons and Deserts.
Experience I've spent much of my life backpacking, hiking and snowshoeing in the Cascades, Rockies, high Sierras and the red rock canyons of the Southwest.
Publications Just letters to the editor in Backpacker and Outside and my Backpacking homepages
Question I am a beginning hiker. I have only hiked a few trails in Missouri. The trails are labeled as moderate-strenuous, but they are fairly easy hikes. Me and four buddies have planned a trip to Zion National Park for late May/early June. All of us are in good shape. I am not exactly sure how to gauge the difficulty in the difference of terrain that we will experience in Utah. In Missouri we have done 16 mile hikes with a 30 pound backpack and it wasn't difficult at all. It takes us anywhere from 6 to 8 hours depending how many off trail adventures we partake in. I am looking forward to more challenging terrain, but I want a realistic expectation for how much ground could be covered in a day by an unexperienced but in shape hiker. If you could give me some rough estimates that would be great. Also, any suggestions on trails in Zion that will be challenging and less packed than some of the other popular trails like Angel's Landing and the Narrows?
Answer Hi,
I'm afraid I don't have a good specific response to part of your question. I've been to Zion 3 or 4 times and have hiked there a little, but short day hikes only. So I can't advise you on where to go for longer hikes.
Are you talking about day hiking as opposed to backpacking? It seems to be what you mean so I'll proceed as if it is.
First off, look for a good hiking guidebook. I'm sure they're out there. I don't happen to have one myself but I do have one for Capitol Reef N.P. and it's loaded with information, advice and details. There are a very large number of trail options in Capitol Reef and there are likely to be in Zion.
My hiking is not measured in miles done in a day, but in pleasure gained. I've had wonderful hikes that were 5 miles long and crappy ones where I went 15. Take your time. The off-trail adventures are the key. Try to not get caught up in the military "gotta make X number of miles today!" mindset. It's a vacation! :-) Use all your senses, experience what's around you.
As for concern about being in shape. You are. Don't worry about that. Be smart. Don't go down what you can't climb back up and vice-versa. Canyon country can be confusing so keep good track of where you are. Have a good, detailed map. Know how to get water. It'll be getting darned hot there by that time of year. If you have a GPS know how to use it but also know how to use a compass.
Leaving the main through road and going to Kolob might just get you more seclusion. But it's a beautiful and popular park. Sort of a real hit with folks from Los Angeles by the way.
Bryce Canyon has some very cool hiking if you get there and hiking in Arches is really nice too. They're all different and in some of the most beautiful country in the world.
