During a southern Utah adventure, Brady and I journey through the 1,000-foot towering, rustic carbon cliffs of one of the world’s most iconic slot canyons, from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs, with a side trip into the Orderville Canyon tributary.
The River Walk to Orderville Canyon: Gateway to Grottoes and Grandeur
Our journey starts with the River Walk, heading up through the 200-million-year-old layers of this narrow, vertical gorge carved by the Virgin River.
A shuffle-footed feeling-out along the river’s slippery, winding bed…
…oscillates with a careful, step-tap dance on the cobbled banks as we navigate the river walk section of the Narrows.
The sheer contoured elegant face sketches the sky, inviting us into its pastel world of natural artistry.
Juggling the juxtaposition of rocks underfoot, between the precarious cobbles of the riverbank and the slippery steps of the riverbed.
“Hey, you guys!” … “Hey, you guys!” (echoes back). “On a Deadpool-head-shaped rock in the middle of the Virgin River! Talk about ‘breaking the fourth wall’ … ‘breaking the fourth wall” (echoes back), from the curved, flowing rock walls of the grotto alcove.
I nick named this place Pumpkin Bottom Cove.
I had to hold this rock up so Brady could crawl through.
Not it’s real name, Pumpkin Bottom Cove
The Orderville Canyon Confluence: Adding Some Spice to Our Slot Canyon Adventure
Venturing up Orderville Canyon was a fantastic addition to our Narrows trek. Smaller and less traveled, Orderville offers a more intimate slot canyon experience, complete with fun scrambling, bouldering, and a unique vibe that complements the grandeur of the Narrows. If you’re looking to add variety and adventure to your hike, this canyon is a must-see!
Wading up the shallow stream path beside charcoal-colored outcropping rocks.
Slippery wet surfaces mixed with sticky sandstone underfoot bring the spice—as I slide down between a log and a boulder beside this waterfall.
Luvin’ all the non-technical sandstone exploration.
Black and Orange, Black and Orange, Black and Green hanging gardens.
Oh ya! A bit of Orderville Canyon bouldering.
Beauty weeps into her serpentine architecture, inspiring tears etched into rock and cast for eternity.
Feeling the moment.
The Infamous Wall Street: Wading the River’s Confluence in the Shadow of Towering Walls
Offset, undulating striations intricately carved by eons of wind and water bask in the sun’s glow, radiating overhead and setting our souls afire as we traverse the cool pools of the river below… Welcome to Wall Street.
Floating Rock marks the beginning of the renowned Wall Street.
Wading through one of the deeper sections of the river.
Wavey areas of rock from the 18 million years of erosion.
Brady skips a rock into one of the impressively deep vertical shadowed recess of the canyon.
The towering cliffs close in, casting deep shade over the river’s rippling pools – a brilliant amber beam spills through the narrow opening beyond. To the right, the rock face unfolds in smooth, arched alcoves—each formation like a wave of stone frozen mid-flow. Brady’s gaze sweeps up the rustic autumn-orange walls tracing their ascent to the blinding splintered rim opening – a dizzying height overhead.
Offset, undulating striations intricately carved by eons of wind and water bask in the glow of the sun, radiating overhead and setting our souls afire as we traverse the cool pools of the river below.
Five miles into the canyon’s quiet mysteries, we reach Big Springs, where cascading waters pour from verdant escarpments. Ferns and hanging mosses dangle from ledges, as trickles coalesce into a symphony of streams, bringing to life the awe-inspiring beauty of the Zion Narrows and marking the culmination of our journey.
Jon Hadlock