Has anyone ever done this hike? Would appreciate any insight. From what I understand, takes around 8 hrs round trip and is supposed to be a difficult hike (not recommended during summer months to boot). Posted a link below and a picture for those who have never heard of it.

Thinking about doing this with the wife in a few weeks and would appreciate any first hand perspective the OB can provide.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/the-narrows?sh=nzvn08&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Beautiful but just know that some of it is through private property. Be respectful of the land and the land owners. And be respectful of the property lines. I have heard of hikers cutting fences so they could get to a better spot and cattle getting out of their land.

Thanks for sharing

Been there one time a few years ago. I had a '79 BMW R75 I was out riding around on and was curious just how close the county roads actually come to the Narrows.

A ranch hand just happened to be in his driveway on the property that owns the north side and I stopped and struck up a conversation with him about the Narrows and he offered to take me there in the ranch jeep.

I was only there about 10 minutes as he had stuff to do but it was as beautiful as advertised and had many people from some kind of conference center there that owns the south bank side. I got the impression from them that they did not appreciate us "disturbing" them…

From what I understand, the owners claim private property on both side of the narrows up to the drop off. I don't think that is legally true but all you have to do is look at the history of Little Arkansas on the Blanco to learn things can be a little different out here.

It's a shame it's totally private but the Hill County is FULL of awesome places like this that very few people know about. Just a few miles away is John Knox Ranch and it has one of the most beautiful, amazing spring fed swimming holes I have ever seen, and that is no exaggeration. Blue Hole at HEB Foundation Camp is another example.

Even if you are respectful, you should still be prepared to get **** from landowners on your hike. But it's worth it.

This is great thanks so much!

Search "Moto-camping Heaven Texas Hill Country" on YouTube. I made a 30 second short at John Knox Ranch. Crystal clear, cold and astounding swimming hole. The video doesn't do it justice.

As the crow flies, JK Ranch is only a few miles from the Narrows and is open to explore during the non-summer camp months.

Quote:

---

Discussion here from 2019.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3038006

---

Little did I know in 2019 that I would go to the Narrows the next year & a few times after that.

There is a non profit that runs a battered women's retreat (or something like that) on part of the river & also allows BSA to camp out there.

Very beautiful, but not worth the PITA of a 14 mile round trip hike in my opinion. Go hike the Narrows in Zion for a real treat!

Plus 1 on Zion. I actually have a short of my wife not happy AT ALL that the water was so cold. Youtube search "wife not happy Zion Narrows cold", lol!

We were able to get an Angel's Landing pass also and she made it to the top but heights are not her thing either…

Parts of The Eiger Sanction were filmed at Zion and it was cool to see some of those locations.

I will say this, Zion was WAY more crowded than I thought it would be.

Apache, any snake run ins? Just curious. From the sounds of it, you have to stay in the water primarily for the round trip.

I'm in the rivers almost daily all over the county doing recovery dives for client's lost stuff.

You will most likely see a few diamond back water snakes but a cottonmouth or rattlesnake is not totally out of the question, but unlikely.

The DB water snakes are non-venomous but will bite if provoked. But, 99% of times they go about their own business without incident. I have had them swim between my legs before at Canyon Lake and had one in the river practically brush my dive mask in the Comal once.

In all of the years of doing this I have only come across two rattlesnakes in the rivers and maybe 3 actual water moccasins. But probably hundreds of the DB water snakes.

In my opinion, you should be fine. Just be careful when near the bank and there is brush.

Thanks for the insight, much appreciated. I stepped about a foot away from a moccasin the other day in a marshy area near the bracken hill country preserve. Figured they could be present on the narrows hike, just wasn't sure how prevalent.

The DB water snakes are tenacious. I've seen one in Lost Maples snag a 1.5-3lb catfish in the middle of a pond and bring it to shore lol.

Anyway, thanks again for the insight!