Best time to hike The Subway

lostlandscapes

rope mule
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
328
What are your feelings on doing it in the morning versus the afternoon? I've yet to start the Subway before 11, mostly because I appreciate how that puts the final climb in the shade. But one advantage I see is that it looks like there was a good deal of sunshine making it into the canyon bottom--perhaps a blessing for those of us who suffer from instant hypothermia?? ;) On the other hand, I imagine that hard light makes the photography aspect a bit more challenging. Thoughts?


Nick: mod note, I moved this topic to it's own thread as I felt it could be very useful to find down the road. Taken from this thread: http://backcountrypost.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-subway-may-2012.897/
 
What are your feelings on doing it in the morning versus the afternoon? I've yet to start the Subway before 11, mostly because I appreciate how that puts the final climb in the shade. But one advantage I see is that it looks like there was a good deal of sunshine making it into the canyon bottom--perhaps a blessing for those of us who suffer from instant hypothermia?? ;) On the other hand, I imagine that hard light makes the photography aspect a bit more challenging. Thoughts?

I went back and compared times on my 4 trips by looking at metadata of photos. Time of the year will also play a role. In August in the middle of the afternoon, the Subway was actually totally in the shade. Same for the October trip when we passed through it at 3:30. The other two trips in May and June, it was in sun at 1:30 and 2:06.

May 20, 2012
8:40 - Leave Wildcat
10:30 - Bottom of Russell Gulch
1:30 - Subway in full sun
2:45 - Bottom of Red Ledges
3:40 - Dino Tracks
Anyone remember when we finished?

October 15, 2011 (entered via tech Russell Gulch route)
10:15 - Leave Wildcat
2:15 - Bottom of Russell Gulch
2:57 - The North Pole
3:30 - Subway in total shade
4:00 - Bottom of Red Ledges
6:45 - Left Fork Trailhead

August 21, 2011
7:45 - Leave Wildcat
9:40 - Bottom of Russell Gulch
1:49 - Subway in full shade - whaaaa?!
2:35 - Bottom of Red Ledges
3:55 - Dino Tracks

June 19, 2011
9:00 - Leave Wildcat (bad nav factored in)
10:30 - Bottom of Russell Gulch
2:06 - Subway in full sun
2:52 - Bottom of Red Ledges
3:42 - Dino Tracks

I've gotten some decent shots with it in sun. Definitely a good idea to pack the ND filters. Climbing the hill in the shade is nice but getting back to SLC at midnight is the sucks. I guess if you're camping nearby that would be the way to do it. But I dunno.. we ran into a lot of people log jams the day we did it later in the day. That sucked. I think I'm still a fan of the early start. Just make sure and soak in the river before climbing that last hill. :)

Taken August 21, 2011 at 2:01 PM on a sunny day.


World's finest swimming hole by ibenick, on Flickr
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Perry Leona Spring Trail to UHT - A New Personal Best Day Hike Hiking & Camping 2
JoshuaDyal Best San Juans hike Trip Planning 0
D Cedar Mesa to Hanksville, best day hike options? Trip Planning 3
Aldaron Best hike in the Uintas General Discussion 2
Devin Ashby Best Cedar Mesa/Bears Ears Guide Books? Trip Planning 8
ghsmith76 Looking for best multi-day Backpacking Trips near Livingston, MT Trip Planning 6
Parma The Best Arch in Utah is... General Discussion 20
forest dweller The best / ideal conditions/ criteria to backpack with a stranger / allow a stranger to backpack with you... General Discussion 6
forest dweller What do you think is the best way to meet other SERIOUS backpackers when you only backpack once or twice a year and... General Discussion 52
Nick Best of 2019 General Discussion 48
Perry Exploring above Cataract Basin - One of the Best Seats in the House Hiking & Camping 1
Nick Best of 2018 General Discussion 43
Outdoors24 Best computer for picture/video editing? General Discussion 26
Vegan.Hiker A Personal Best (ascent) - Pemi Loop, WMNF Backpacking 23
T Best practices for upcoming trip General Discussion 4
JDWalters Best time to photograph Zebra Slot? Trip Planning 3
Upgrayedd Best place to live? General Discussion 46
IntrepidXJ Meet the woman who knows Bears Ears best General Discussion 106
B Best Time of Year for Backpacking the Uintas in Utah Trip Planning 15
B Best Alternatives to the Sierras Backpacking 12
kimbur96 Best lens for backpacking? Photography 14
Kelin Best Route to Alpine Lakes? Trip Planning 4
Jimmy Best Backpacking Near Phoenix/Scottsdale? Trip Planning 1
LarryBoy Best ranges for off-trail travel General Discussion 11
Langdon Greene 2016 might be your best chance to do Wonderland (Rainier) Trip Planning 2
muir_mountain Best Backpacking in early June Trip Planning 12
Mike Jones Best UL Mountain Hardwear Rain Jacket Gear 2
SwimsWithTrout Best time of year for San Rafael Swell/Cedar Mesa ? Trip Planning 4
Nick Best Packrafting Paddle Gear 8
Mike K Best Backpacking Pillow Gear 16
T Best place to backpack the Bob Marshall? Trip Planning 17
WasatchWill Best Cell Phone Camera: iPhone, G4, S6, or Other? General Discussion 6
Chuck the Mauler Best dual use camera? Photography 6
uintahiker What is the Best 3 day trip in the Uintas? Trip Planning 17
balzaccom Your best shot General Discussion 2
natylka Advice on the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking. Gear 27
natylka Advice on the best light backpacking tent Gear 39
Scott Chandler Help with the Best of the CPW Photography 9
jmerkley9 Best Car Camping - Uintas Trip Planning 2
Laura My tent shot is the featured photo for Best of May 2014 Photography 8
Antlerking Gear Review Best Hiking Briefs Gear Reviews 15
DrNed Best Hikes in Canyonlands Trip Planning 8
Tater Head It was the best of times, It was the worst of times... General Discussion 6
Nick Best easy day hikes around Salt Lake General Discussion 25
Aldaron The best part of BCP General Discussion 6
slc_dan Best Book for Hiking in the Uintas? Trip Planning 11
Nick BCP wins 'Best Adventure Blog'! General Discussion 16
uintahiker Aravaipa Canyon- what end is best? Trip Planning 2
Nick Album Best of 2012 Photography 45
intuitive cat what was your best/most satisfactory new gear this last season? Gear 18

Similar threads

Back
Top