The Subway - End of April

Sandro

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2012
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60
Hello,

I already hiked The Subway in August 2012. Because of a flash flood happened on the day before the water level was higher than usual but we didn't have any problem with it. Here's a video from that day:


Does anyone have experience with hiking The Subway at the end of April ? Could water level be a problem ?
 
Depends on what kind of winter we had and what the runoff is doing. Spring runoff make it significantly more challenging or even impassable. You probably heard about the big fiasco with all the trapped hikers and subsequent 'Canyon Man' rescue a few years back. That forced closure of the Subway until June that year.

It's still too early to predict what runoff will be like this year, but I wouldn't bank on it being doable. The NPS is more restrictive about closing it ever since that last incident.
 
So, as far as permits, what you'd suggest to do ?

Should I try to get them now anyway and then wait for April and see if it's doable or not ?
 
Well I finally got permits !

I plan to call NPS a few days in advance to know what the runoff is doing. Anyway if any of you gets information about Subway doable or not in April please let me know !


Also I wonder if my wetsuit (5mm thick) would be enough or if I'd better get a jacket too.

aup9.jpg
 
Last edited:
What dates did you get your permits for? If it's late April, a jacket would probably be very nice to cover those arms and give a little more warmth on your core.
 
Ok will get a jacket, do you think I'm going to need neoprene gloves too ?
 
I did the subway around that time a few years back in a relatively big water year. It was actually closed to do from the top due to high water, but the ranger told us that we could hike up from the bottom as far as we could before we got turned around due to high water. We ended up doing the entire thing in reverse. The water was high and a couple of the short waterfalls were pretty spicy climbing up from the bottom, but it wasn't anything we couldn't handle with a little creativity. Just dress for conditions if it is on the cold side and you ought to be fine.
 
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