THE SUBWAY From the Bottom Hike 
ROUTE INFORMATIONVIEW PHOTOS!

Overview:
The Subway From the Bottom HikeIf you want to avoid the swimming and rappelling of the Subway "top-down" route but you still want to see some of the beauty of the Subway, you can hike up the Left Fork from the "bottom." Starting and ending at the Left Fork Trailhead (roughly 8.2 miles up the Kolob Terrace Road from the town of Virgin), this route is a completely non-technical hike up the Left Fork of North Creek to the Subway section (almost 3 miles one way).  The complete hike may take anywhere between 5 to 9 hours and is a full day in some beautiful remote scenery.

Logistics:
The Left Fork/Subway is one of the few canyons that requires a backcountry permit even for the non-technical "from the bottom" route. This canyon has gained epic popularity and the National Park Service now limits access to the Subway to 50 people a day. (Camping is not permitted in the Left Fork.) For more information on permit reservations and the lottery system for the Subway, please see the Zion Permits website.

Detailed Description:
The Left Fork Trailhead is actually several hundred feet above the Left Fork of North Creek. The well-maintained trail starts off fairly level as it makes its way to a shelf overlooking the Left Fork. Then the trail makes a fairly steep 400-ft descent zigzagging down to the streambed. Once by the water, make note of the trail, the various NPS exit signs, and the black rock formations that you came down from; you don't want to miss the exit on the way back!

The route then follows the streambed up the canyon. You will alternate between following sections of hiker-make trails, boulder-hopping, and hiking right in the stream course. (Note: There is no definitive route here, so some of the trails are of questionable value.) The lower sections of the canyon are a bit overgrown, so the going may be a bit slow.

The Subway From the Bottom HikeAfter roughly two miles, the canyon starts to get more interesting as the canyon becomes less obstructed and the streambed turns almost entirely solid slickrock. You will pass several cascades that feel like grand staircases into a sacred temple with the massive layers of slickrock creating beautifully elegant waterfalls.

The actual "Subway" section is marked by the two canyon walls coming together with a tubular undercut at the bottom. The emerald pools mark the turnaround point for most people; enjoy the wondrous rock formations and emerald pools and then return the way you came.

The hike out should seem a bit easier, but be sure to keep an eye out for the exit up and out of the Left Fork. (A GPS is very useful to keep track of your progress to make sure that you don't miss the exit or attempt to exit too early up Lee Valley!) The 400-foot ascent back up the trail can be quite grueling after a long day of hiking, but it is over soon enough!

Note: If you have rock-scrambling ability and you are willing to get wet, you can swim/wade up the final pool to reach a section on the right (south) side of the canyon where you can scramble up to the shelf above. Do not attempt this if you are unsure of your stills or a way back down. This section of the Subway is quite a common area for people to get injured and twist ankles. This remote canyon would not be a fun place to be injured.

The Subway From the Bottom topo map Lower Left Fork Map:
Left Fork Trailhead to The Subway.
Note: While viewing the map, click on the map
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Joe's Spin:
While the scenery of the top-down route is much more spectacular, the Subway "from the bottom" route allows hikers to see at least some of the beautiful rock formations of the slot section. The lower part of this canyon isn't the most stunning, but it is still a great place to hike.

 
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