The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

The Subway

 The mystical journey through the Left Fork of North Creek involves route finding, plunging cautiously into chilly pools then sloshing, sometimes frantically, through frigid water over and through difficult obstacles. The narrow Subway section of this hike forces hikers through a unique tunnel sculpted by the Left Fork of North Creek. Churning water chisels the rock floor, forming shallow potholes that fill to the brim with frosty water. Silhouettes dance freely on multi-colored walls where only a trickle of sun light penetrates into the curved chamber of the Subway. Falling water echoes in the nature carved tunnel where dragonflies dart, frogs laze about and shimmering emerald pools tempt cold hikers to dawdle. Before long, the promise of daylight urges an exit to the warmth of the sun waiting outside the Subway. The canyon widens as hikers cross back and forth across the creek, making their way to the grueling uphill exit. For those that want a glimpse of the canyon, but choose to stay away from uncomfortable obstacles, explore the canyon from the bottom where thin sheets of glistening water cascade over mossy stair-step slivers of rock.

From the Bottom Up
This is a strenuous 9-mile round-trip hike through the Left Fork of North Creek that requires route finding, creek crossing, and scrambling over boulders. This hike begins and ends at the Left Fork Trailhead on the Kolob Terrace Road.

From the Top Down
This is a strenuous 9.5-mile hike that requires rappelling skills, 60 feet of rope, and extensive route finding experience. The route also requires swimming through several deep pools of very cold debris-filled water. The trail begins at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead and ends at the Left Fork Trailhead. Both trailheads are located on the Kolob Terrace Road.

Sublime
The Subway is the most popular backcountry hike in Zion, and for good reason! In a park of exemplary beauty, The Subway is one of the most diverse and beautiful canyons -- NOT to be missed. A few short rappels and a couple of short, mandatory swims add spice to the adventure.
The Subway is a short, spectacular section of the Left Fork of North Creek. The canyon system is called the Great West Canyon, including both the Left and Right Forks. The Subway section is not marked on maps, but is where the Left Fork tightens up and twists sharply, between North Guardian Angel and Guardian Angel Pass. The hike is also known as "The Left Fork".
The route starts at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead and descends to the Left Fork via a cross-country route that crosses Russell Gulch, walks out a ridge and descends a steep gully.  The Left Fork is followed through The Subway, then downcanyon a few miles. A short, steep trail is then climbed to the road, ending at the Left Fork Trailhead.

Due to its popularity, The Subway is managed under a quota system. Reservations are distributed by lottery several months in advance and are highly recommended. Surf over to the Wilderness Desk Website for the latest information and to enter the lottery. After lottery assignments are made, the remaining reservation spots can be booked over the Internet until the week before. After that, a new "Last Minute Drawing" allocates remaining spots via the Internet.
Last minute drawing applications are taken between 2 days (until noon) and 7 days in advance of the trip date for Slot Canyon Day Trips that have filled the reservable allocations. The last minute drawing runs 2 days prior to the requested trip date at 1pm MDT.

AFTER the last minute drawing, there may also be walk-up permits available one day in advance of, or the day of, your hike. Be flexible and plan ahead to avoid being denied.
Those interested in adding some excitement to their Subway day should check out the Russell Gulch and Das Boot variations.
Subway Route

Russell Gulch - Once at the bottom of the gulch, hike to the slickrock on the east side of Russell Gulch. Look for cross-bedded dome-like hoodoos, high in the saddle, to the south. Continue over the slickrock, traversing toward the domes, passing between the domes at the saddle. Hike to the south, down the large slickrock bowl, surveying the landscape for the trail entering into the vegetated area at the end of the bowl. Continue a short distance where the beaten path arrives at a small wash and lures hikers to the right, but keep an eye out for a cairn to the left, that once again ascends to another small saddle and then descends into another wash. The trail then ascends a short distance and traverses for a couple hundred yards before the steep, final descent into Russell Gulch. Watch for the pine tree next to a slab of rock on the right. This seems like an improbable chute to maneuver, however, by carefully stepping down the "rock and root stairway and picking through the loose rock for 300 vertical feet, the bottom of Russell Gulch is obtained. At the bottom of this steep chute, turn left, and walk 100 yards to find the confluence of Left Fork of North Creek and Russell Gulch. Turn right at this confluence.
Boulder Obstacle - Walking down the left Fork of North Creek for about 300 yards the first obstacle appears. Scamper up the boulder and locate the sling anchor on the right side of the 12' rock. Secure a doubled rope so the last person in the party can pull it free. This is an easy and straightforward rappel. There is a chimney on the right side of the boulder which can also be rappelled. Do not jump! Search and rescue teams are often called to the Subway for those that are unprepared to navigate obstacles and thus get hurt jumping. Some people have slid down the log wedged in the slot at the first drop but is not recommended
Time to Get Wet - Be prepared to pack cameras and other sensitive items into dry bags if you have not already done this. If the temperatures are cool outside, wetsuits are required for the next section. The water in the canyon is ice-cold, even in the middle of the summer, but in spring and fall it can be dangerously cold. Even when it is hot outside, it's best to wear quick dry clothing and keep other clothing dry to put on in the shady and cool Subway section. Navigate through or around the potholes. Never jump into a pothole! Also note that each flash flood changes the character of the route and the depth of the pools.
Canyon Route - Continue down canyon and prepare to swim. The first pool can be 30-feetlong, followed by a shorter pool. At the end of the first pool there is a submerged window that some choose to swim through.
Second Obstacle - Bolts in the now narrow slot canyon may have a webbing sling attached that aids in the 8' drop to a small ledge and then another 3-4' drop into this pool below.
Caution - Do not jump into the pool, a submerged rock just 3' below the surface could be dangerous. This is a difficult obstacle for many to navigate without some aid. Swimming is required after climbing into the next pool of water. The next two chambers are wonderful photo opportunities, but keep your camera safe and dry by using two good quality dry bags, one inside the other.
Keyhole Falls - Yet another waterfall in the narrow slot will necessitate the use of a rope. The drop is only 8' to the water, but, once again, submerged rocks make jumping dangerous. To the right, an old bolt with a hanger is used as an anchor that allows a hand line or rappel through the crack. The first drop is about 20' but a longer rope is needed because the anchor is set back.
The Subway - The quarter-mile passage through the Subway is the most charming segment of the adventure. Deep inside the tubular tunnel glimmers of sunlight trickle into the darkness, allowing algae to grow in the water filled potholes. The green flora creates an eerie turquoise glow that radiates throughout the spectacular chamber. Finally, the crystal clear water splashing through this picturesque setting meanders over polished rock to the open canyon below.
Log Chamber and Subway Arch - Inside the Subway, just past Keyhole Falls is a chamber where there may be a log perched against the wall. It is amazing how long it has stayed without a flood washing it away. Ten yards before arriving at the leaning log, look up and on the left to the silhouetted cliff above where you can spot the free-standing arch.
Final Obstacle - A few yards past the leaning log, staying to the right, walk the rock ledge to bypass the 6' waterfall in the watercourse. Continue downstream 50 yards, where the canyon turns to the left and arrives at the final obstacle. A log jammed between a narrow crack in the rock waterway becomes a short bridge over the waterfall to cross onto the slickrock ledge on the left. Walk downstream on the ledge 20 yards and locate a two-bolt anchor, just 6 feet below inside a small bowl.) A 60' rope is suggested to safely navigate this obstacle. This 30' obstacle is a difficult rappel if the rock is wet and slippery from moss. The rock becomes vertical near the bottom so the best climber should rappel down first to help the others in the party.
Waterfall Room - Once at the bottom of the final obstacle, be sure to wade, swim and work through the potholes back upstream to see the Waterfall Room. This is the waterfall you walked over by using the wedged log bridge . Stay and enjoy the many desert tanks in the once again Tunneled Subway. Those who choose to hike up from the bottom will turn around at the waterfall room and exit the same way approached.
Cascades - Shortly after leaving the Subway there are several notable cascades. Use caution since the falls are slippery. Enjoy the beautiful cascades and crystalline water. The route from the last cascade now crosses back and forth from one side of the creek to the other and occasionally travels in the center of the watercourse.
Dinosaur Tracks - 7 miles into the trip, on the right, north, are two large slabs of white rock angled toward toward the river with embedded prints made by an ancient type of dinosaur therapod known as the Grallator.

Locating the Exit - It's easy to miss this exit, so be aware/ The exit from the Left Fork of North Creek is downstream from the dinosaur tracks and although there is often a small sign, this indicator can be washed away. Look for the large sandstone cliffs on the right and if you see basalt cliffs instead you have gone too far.
Hike Out - The exit scrambles up to the top of the basalt ridge that appears in front of you. It will seem impossible to climb, but the steep route ascends up and to the right of the 100-200' high basalt cliffs.

Caution - The Subway is a technical slot canyon that has become popular due to the many images in the media, but its a difficult adventure. Take the canyons in Zion serious and go prepared. Down climbs and short rappels are required. Bring a rope and gear. After the fun, there is a hot steep trek out of the creek.

Hiking The Subway from the Bottom
Begin at the described Subway trailend, located 8 miles north of Virgin on the Kolob Terrace Road. Locate the dirt path and hike a half mile through a juniper and pinion forest before descending almost another half mile down the steep trail to arrive at the Left Fork of North Creek. Follow the trail upstream as it skirts and crosses the creek numerous times. After about a mile of hiking along the creek watch for the dinosaur tracks. After 3 miles of creek hiking there will be wonderful wide slabs of stair stepped sandstone covered with glistening cascades of water. Be very careful traveling on these slabs as they are very often slippery. After several scrambles through and around these pristine cascades, the trail arrives at the Subway. Traveling beyond this point becomes extremely difficult, however be sure to wade and swim through the narrow corridor and visit the Waterfall Room at trails end. Total distance to this point has been close to 5 miles.