Zion National Park - Left Fork-The Subway (U.S. National Park Service)

Upper Subway Narrows

The Subway
There are two ways to hike the Left Fork, also known as the Subway. Both routes require a permit. Both trips also involve extensive route finding. Visitors are encouraged to do the trip with experienced Subway hikers and/or obtain a detailed route description.

From the bottom and back
This is a strenuous 9 mile round trip hike requiring route finding, stream crossings, and scrambling over boulders. The route is often slippery. This hike begins and ends at the Left Fork Trailhead off of the Kolob Terrace Road.

From the top down
This is a strenuous 9 and one half mile hike requiring rappel skills and 60 feet of rope or webbing. This route also requires swimming through several deep pools of very cold debris filled water. This route begins at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead and ends at the Left Fork Trailhead.

Group Size
Large groups increase impacts on the backcountry.Group size is limited to a maximum of 12 people sharing the same affiliation (school, club, scout troop, family, friends) in the same drainage, route, or backcountry trail on the same day. This is strictly enforced; violators will be cited.

Just in case
If you are coming to Zion to hike the Subway remember that it is a popular hike that is limited in numbers. Even if your permit is reserved the weather might prevent the trip once you are here. Therefore it is wise to have a back up plan so that you may still enjoy your visit to Zion should you be unable to go into the Left Fork.

Flash Flood Information
more

Return to Main Backcountry Page