Warning: I got caught in a flash flood on the West Rim Trail in Zion last spring

I was about 8 miles into the hike, near Potato Hollow, when the sky just opened up. Within maybe 20 minutes, a dry wash I had crossed earlier turned into a rushing, muddy river about 3 feet deep. My planned route was completely blocked. I had to make a fast choice: try to find a risky way across upstream, or backtrack several miles to a known high point and wait it out, which meant a cold, wet night. I chose to backtrack and hunker down. It was the right call, but it meant I ran out of food a day early and had to cut my trip short. Has anyone else had to completely abandon a route due to sudden weather, and how did you decide it was time to turn around?

4 comments

4 Comments

elliotm5711d agoMost Upvoted

Man, I've been there. I once turned a day hike into a five-hour ordeal because I refused to admit a "little drizzle" was a full-on storm. My pride was more waterlogged than my boots by the end.

samflores10d ago

Pride makes us do dumb stuff in the woods. Got caught in a downpour once and my map turned to mush before I'd admit I was lost. That walk back felt twice as long with squelching socks.

susansingh10d ago

Ever pack a cheap poncho just in case? It takes up no space and saves you from that exact situation.

morgan_king3610d ago

Seriously, three feet of water that fast? That's terrifying. Good call turning back, no trail is worth that kind of gamble.