Left Fork (Subway) Bottom-Up

Looking up a tree covered canyon surrounded by steep red sandstone walls.
The Left Fork of North Creek is a rugged wilderness area of Zion National Park.

NPS Photo / Brian Whitehead

 

Left Fork (Subway) Bottom-Up Route

Trailhead Location: Left Fork Trailhead, located about one hour from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Pets: Not allowed
Distance (roundtrip): 9.0 mi / 14.5 km
Elevation Change: ~1,300 ft / ~400 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 6-10 hours
Permits: Wilderness Permits are required for this area year round.
Left Fork (Subway) Permit Information

  • This is a long, strenuous hike through the Left Fork of North Creek to the Subway slot canyon.
  • There is no trail, this is an off-trail Wilderness route.
  • Hikers need to scramble over large boulders and hike in and out of the creek all day.
  • The route takes most visitors 6 to 10 hours to complete.
  • Hikers get lost in this area every year. Following a well written route description and a topographical map is crucial.
  • Snow and ice in the cold winter months may necessitate wet or dry suits.

Other Route Information

There is a “top-down” Left Fork (Subway) route as well. The top-down route is a technical canyoneering route that requires ropes, harnesses, rappelling skills and equipment, long swims through extremely cold water, and route finding skills. Wetsuits are recommended in even the hottest weather.

 
 
 

Last updated: October 23, 2021

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.

Springdale, UT 84767

Phone:

435-772-3256
If you have questions, please email zion_park_information@nps.gov. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

Contact Us