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- Aug 9, 2007
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I'll admit it, I think I may have done the Subway enough now. But what can I say, it's fun! After the Backcountrypost group trip in May, I decided I wasn't going to do it again until I could do the Das Boot variation, so with some company coming in to town in late October, I booked the permits and planned the trip as part of a long Zion weekend.
The day before the Subway, we descended Mystery Canyon. It was mostly dry but the wet stretches were might cold, confirming our suspicions that perhaps Das Boot was not the best plan for the time of year and for our group. I'm notoriously comfortable in cold water, but others in our group lacked the copious amounts of natural 'insulation' that I have.
So we decided to switch the plan just a bit and come into The Subway by way of Russell Gulch. It's a fun entrance that adds a little bit of time and a lot of fun to the standard route. Amongst that fun is three extra rappels, all a little under 100 feet each and some short stretches of icy cold water. At the end of Russell Gulch, the route connects with the standard Subway route and we still get to appreciate all the charms of that hike as well. You can't go wrong!
The group starting down the slickrock towards Russell Gulch
Dropping into Russell Gulch. From here it's just easy hiking and a few fun raps.
Once we diverted from the main trail to Russell, we realized we were once again in for a treat in the form of incredible fall colors.
Looking down from the first rappel in Russell Gulch. The added fun on this rap is a pothole about half way down that is typically full of water. If you have the skills, or with a little help from someone tugging the rope below, you can avoid it. But if you're like me, it's a nice mid-rap dunk in the drink. Preparation for the short wade coming up at the bottom.
neiloro making the swim while colefeet raps
The walk between the first and second raps is relatively long. A good time to put away the rope and enjoy the scenery. There's nothing really technical about it, especially if you don't mind getting a little wet.
I am so in love with fall in Zion. All you skinny folk need to invest in more neoprene because this is going to become a tradition!
Yes, that is ice.
The second rappel in Russell is a real treat. The watercourse takes a curious turn here, dumping into a huge chamber from the side. Sometimes the it's a swimming disconnect and others, like on this trip, it's just a wade. Either way, it's a lot of fun! I put away my camera from here until the bottom of the second rappel, and then again until the bottom of The Subway, so this much of this part of the trip is covered in the video below.
I tried my best to crunch this all down into a really short video. I even tried just making little videos to slip in in chunks. But it didn't really work out. Without good audio, little videos aren't much fun, and with a waterproof case on your camera, audio is poor. And as far as crunching it down more, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not much good at that! So enjoy! Or don't!
A few photos from the last rap in Russell Gulch. The colors were insane.
Now in the Subway, the colors were still quite nice.
Looking up as we drop into The Bowling Alley
Just before Keyhole Falls
And the Subway. This is the reason we really wanted to hit it late enough in the year. GOLD.
One of my favorite scenes along the hike, The Red Ledges.
Mandy wandering down canyon. Time for the not-as-fun-but-still-pretty-fun part of the hike.
The dinosaur tracks. A nice mid-way point to take a break on the hike out.
I raced ahead to the trailhead and had some time to sit and sip on a beer while everyone else made their way up the steep climb out. And just when you think life just might not get any better.... the sun sets.
Featured image for home page:
The day before the Subway, we descended Mystery Canyon. It was mostly dry but the wet stretches were might cold, confirming our suspicions that perhaps Das Boot was not the best plan for the time of year and for our group. I'm notoriously comfortable in cold water, but others in our group lacked the copious amounts of natural 'insulation' that I have.
So we decided to switch the plan just a bit and come into The Subway by way of Russell Gulch. It's a fun entrance that adds a little bit of time and a lot of fun to the standard route. Amongst that fun is three extra rappels, all a little under 100 feet each and some short stretches of icy cold water. At the end of Russell Gulch, the route connects with the standard Subway route and we still get to appreciate all the charms of that hike as well. You can't go wrong!
The group starting down the slickrock towards Russell Gulch
Dropping into Russell Gulch. From here it's just easy hiking and a few fun raps.
Once we diverted from the main trail to Russell, we realized we were once again in for a treat in the form of incredible fall colors.
Looking down from the first rappel in Russell Gulch. The added fun on this rap is a pothole about half way down that is typically full of water. If you have the skills, or with a little help from someone tugging the rope below, you can avoid it. But if you're like me, it's a nice mid-rap dunk in the drink. Preparation for the short wade coming up at the bottom.
neiloro making the swim while colefeet raps
The walk between the first and second raps is relatively long. A good time to put away the rope and enjoy the scenery. There's nothing really technical about it, especially if you don't mind getting a little wet.
I am so in love with fall in Zion. All you skinny folk need to invest in more neoprene because this is going to become a tradition!
Yes, that is ice.
The second rappel in Russell is a real treat. The watercourse takes a curious turn here, dumping into a huge chamber from the side. Sometimes the it's a swimming disconnect and others, like on this trip, it's just a wade. Either way, it's a lot of fun! I put away my camera from here until the bottom of the second rappel, and then again until the bottom of The Subway, so this much of this part of the trip is covered in the video below.
I tried my best to crunch this all down into a really short video. I even tried just making little videos to slip in in chunks. But it didn't really work out. Without good audio, little videos aren't much fun, and with a waterproof case on your camera, audio is poor. And as far as crunching it down more, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not much good at that! So enjoy! Or don't!
A few photos from the last rap in Russell Gulch. The colors were insane.
Now in the Subway, the colors were still quite nice.
Looking up as we drop into The Bowling Alley
Just before Keyhole Falls
And the Subway. This is the reason we really wanted to hit it late enough in the year. GOLD.
One of my favorite scenes along the hike, The Red Ledges.
Mandy wandering down canyon. Time for the not-as-fun-but-still-pretty-fun part of the hike.
The dinosaur tracks. A nice mid-way point to take a break on the hike out.
I raced ahead to the trailhead and had some time to sit and sip on a beer while everyone else made their way up the steep climb out. And just when you think life just might not get any better.... the sun sets.
Featured image for home page:
