Wooden Hiking Pole VS Trekking Poles for Hiking the Zion Narrows

INTRO

If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park, you’re likely inundated with information about the Narrows hike, which can be tricky to sort through to determine what you actually need to prepare. It’s a gorgeous trail, meandering up the rocky bed of the Virgin River through a stunning slot canyon with towering sandstone walls. 

To know how to make the most of the experience, here at Zion Guru, we are eager to help you. We’re experts with decades of experience, and we have a team dedicated to supporting you and answering all of your adventure questions.

One of the questions we answer most often relates to selecting trekking poles or hiking sticks for a Narrows hike. Here is everything you need to make the best choice for the Zion Narrows!

RIVER HIKING CONSIDERATIONS

If you haven’t walked directly in a river before, there are a few things you should know about how it varies from regular hiking. You’re resisting the current of the flowing water in the canyon. Slick, polished rocks of varying sizes are everywhere and you must navigate over and around them. Sand and sediment can work their way into your shoes. The water is typically cold and you’ll need something to keep your feet warm. There are a lot of considerations to take into account to make sure you’re prepared with the right combination of footwear and a hiking pole for balance.

We suggest our Narrows packages, which include a sturdy white ash hiking stick. This package will give you more comfort and stability for hiking in the riverbed, and here’s why.

WHY A WOODEN HIKING POLE IS BEST FOR THE NARROWS HIKE

A video in the Zion Narrows showing the use of a wooden hiking pole

Though it may be tempting to opt for regular trekking poles for your Narrows hike, there are a number of disadvantages to that choice. First off, we see broken trekking poles in the Narrows constantly. They have a small diameter, and are prone to bending and breaking, especially when they are placed between rocks and then subjected to force. For example, if you slip a bit and brace against the trekking pole in the riverbed, there’s a high likelihood it could snap or bend. Trekking poles aren’t designed to support your full bodyweight as you brace yourself.

Additionally, trekking poles are not very tall in height. Typically, trekking poles only extend up to around waist height. Often in the Narrows, there are sections of deeper water (chest height or deeper!) where you will want something taller that you can grip reliably above the water surface. 

We suggest using a sturdy wooden hiking stick, like the white ash poles we rent at Zion Guru as part of our Narrows gear packages. These are beneficial because you can use two hands to brace yourself and find balance. The wooden hiking sticks are taller and have a wider diameter, which makes them more versatile and durable—they won’t snap like a trekking pole. Also, the wood is grippier than metal when it’s wet from the river water, and they come with a wrist strap so you don’t lose the stick if you accidentally let go. 

If you had to only take one item with you into the Narrows, that item would be a walking stick. It should be around chin height. You can use it with two hands so that you can triangulate your movement through the river and provide yourself with great stability. Your walking stick should be leading you through the canyon, always slightly ahead of you, and probing at a 60 to 45° angle to see how deep the water is as you move your feet one at a time. The combination of excellent footwear and the appropriate height and style of walking stick will elevate your Narrows experience.

RISKS OF CHOOSING IMPROPER GEAR FOR THE NARROWS

If you choose improper gear for your hike in the Narrows, you run the risk of some complications physically, financially, and emotionally. Here are some things to consider.

Physically, you could end up with sprained ankles or knees, or stubbed toes, or if you lose your balance navigating the rocks in the river. Without the proper insulation from clothing and/or neoprene socks, you could experience frostbite or hypothermia depending on the time of year. You may abrade your feet if you wear the wrong shoes or sandals rather than canyon-specific boots. If you don’t have grippy shoes, you could trip and fall, leading to other injuries. A sturdy hiking stick makes a huge difference to prevent some of these issues!

Financially, if you fall in the river, you could break or ruin valuables like your camera, or end up with a waterlogged lunch. If you get hurt because you don’t have a good hiking stick to help with balance, you could end up with hefty bills and a long recovery. If you opt for personal trekking poles (instead of using a wooden hiking stick), you risk snapping your trekking poles, which are expensive to replace.

Without the right gear, your experience could be tarnished. You won’t get to see as much of the scenery or enjoy the canyon as much with improper gear because you’ll be forced to pay very close attention to your movements and have to walk more slowly. You could fall behind people who are better-outfitted. You could also miss out on a great hike the next day if your Narrows hike ends up painful. 

Do your best to avoid these potential risks by preparing yourself with the right equipment, including a wooden hiking stick or pole!

CONCLUSION

Video of people hiking the Zion Narrows who appear to be unsteady over the rocky terrain without a hiking pole

A wooden walking stick is not required to hike the Narrows, but everyone that uses it reports back that they are glad that they had it. People express that their experience is much better, they had more stability in the river, and they got to see more of the canyon with less effort and more comfort. 

You may have many times that you get to visit the Narrows, or it may be the only time in your life that you do it. We have that in mind not just with the gear that we offer through our outfitting, but the entire process around educating you so that you can enjoy and optimize your experience in the canyon.

We wish you a visit full of wonderful memories enjoying the grandeur of Zion! When you’re in Springdale, stop in to Zion Guru to pick up any items you need, ask questions, hire a guide, or rent gear like a hiking pole or the Chameleon boots for the Narrows (and so much more). We’re always here to help.