Das Boot

Eric and I wanted to do a canyon in Zion. We hoped to do one that Eric had not yet done and had our sights on Imlay canyon but the Virgin River is still flowing too high this year (the Park won't issue any permits until the river flow is below 140 cfs). So we chose to do a variation of the Subway hike called "Das Boot". It involves dropping into the Left Fork of North Creek a few miles up from the normal entrance to the Subway route. I did this stretch with cousin Zach several years ago in autumn conditions and remembered that it was enjoyable. Eric and I got a bit of a late start but we were soon standing on the side of the road hitchhiking our way up to the trail head after dropping of my truck at the lower Left Fork Trail head (the site of Eric's eagle scout project). The second car to pass picked us up. Sweet! It was already hot and sunny as we scrambled across the slick rock. After a few hours and lots of up and down trying to find our way along the north side of Left Fork we found a way down into the slot. It seemed silly to be carrying our wet suits in our packs on such a hot sunny day but soon we were very glad we had them with us. The slot was flowing with clear and cold water. We had several long swims and continuous wading and hiking in water for the next 90 minutes. The slot was tight, dark and fun. A few short raps were required. We also encountered the scattered remains of an elk including a large rack on the skull throughout the slot of Das Boot. Even with the wet suits on we began to shiver and would stop and bask in the sunlight when we could. Eventually we arrived at the usual start of the Subway section of the Left Fork. This part of the canyon we both know well and we traveled quickly. We passed several parties of other hikers and even helped a group from SLC down the last rap. The canyon was also full of clean water and incredibly beautiful as usual. The final hike out seemed tedious this time but soon we were sitting at Oscars having another dinner at our favorite restaurant in Springdale. All in all another great day in Zion..............................A week later I was participating in SAR training with the rangers over in Zion and the Chief Ranger asked me to hike with him through the Subway with 5 guys from the Helitack crew in Southern Utah (they are the fire fighters that are dropped in by helicopter to fight forest fires and sometimes help with rescues in the national parks). So around noon we took off down the Left Fork. This time through it seemed a little easier for me and it was fun helping out and "guiding" some federal employees through the Subway.