Zion: The Subway
Categories: Announcements, Zion
The first time I hiked The Subway was in 1996, from the bottom up to the last rappel. I experienced the same awe as most people do, possibly more so because back then it wasn’t well known or constantly advertised. I tried to climb up higher and I was almost able to do so, but it was obvious I would not be able to get safely down. The next time I went up, a few years later, I borrowed a medium format film camera and lugged it up there to do some photos for a school project. But in all the years since, I had never done the technical part of the canyon upstream from where the popular hike ends. This photo blog is about that portion of the canyon, or to be even more specific, the middle portion, between Russel Gulch and the hike portion of “The Subway”.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-5-722x1082.jpg 722w)
After hiking a few miles from the trailhead we arrived at the drop in point for the Left Fork.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-6-722x1082.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-7-722x1082.jpg 722w)
The drop in point is very steep, especially at the top where you are hanging on to tree roots.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-9-722x482.jpg 722w)
Max waits for me to take a picture on the other side of a large stagnant pool at the bottom of Russel Gulch.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-10-722x482.jpg 722w)
The last bit of Russel Gulch before it joins the Left Fork.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-12-722x482.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-768x513.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-13-722x482.jpg 722w)
The first rappel is off an obnoxiously positioned boulder, but the water is avoidable. It might be down climbed with some skills.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-scaled.jpg 1477w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-480x666.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-800x1109.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-768x1065.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-1108x1536.jpg 1108w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-570x790.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-370x513.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-15-722x1001.jpg 722w)
The stream is intermittent for the a while and the water is generally avoidable.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-18-722x482.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-3-722x481.jpg 722w)
My friends Max and Ella invited me to to the technical section of the Left Fork on an unseasonably cold day in late May. I think up there, at the Wildcat Trailhead, it might have even gotten down into the upper 30’s that night. It seemed to be in the 40’s when we started from the car. By the time we’d gotten to the open slickrock bowls in Russel Gulch it felt crisp but nice. It certainly wasn’t swimming weather.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-2-722x481.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-17-722x482.jpg 722w)
On the left is the location where the route to South Guardian Angel briefly crosses the stream bed. Although I had not been upstream or downstream, I’d been in this spot. It’s also the point where getting in the water becomes unavoidable. On the right the undercut roots of a tree seemed to be holding up slabs of rock.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-scaled.jpg 1365w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-480x718.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-800x1197.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-768x1149.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-1027x1536.jpg 1027w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-scaled.jpg 1369w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-570x853.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-370x553.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-19-722x1080.jpg 722w)
Getting in the cold water is mandatory at this point, but the first few pools were only knee deep or a little higher.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-scaled.jpg 1369w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-480x718.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-800x1197.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-768x1149.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-1027x1536.jpg 1027w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-570x853.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-370x554.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-21-722x1080.jpg 722w)
This formation looked like some kind of seal/hummingbird combo.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-scaled.jpg 1362w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-480x722.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-800x1203.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-768x1155.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-570x857.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-370x556.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-20-722x1085.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-scaled.jpg 1403w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-480x701.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-800x1168.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-1052x1536.jpg 1052w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-570x832.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-370x540.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-22-722x1054.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-23-722x482.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-24-722x482.jpg 722w)
A section where the canyon narrowed and made a 180 degree bend.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-25-722x482.jpg 722w)
This bend leads to…
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-scaled.jpg 1450w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-480x678.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-800x1130.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-768x1084.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-1088x1536.jpg 1088w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-570x805.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-370x522.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-26-722x1019.jpg 722w)
The coldest rappel. This dark pool is a swimmer and was the coldest water I remember that day.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-480x323.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-800x538.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-768x517.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-1536x1033.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-570x383.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-370x249.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-27-722x486.jpg 722w)
Not long after the coldest swim the streambed becomes filled with clear spring water. The spring water is notably warmer (but still cold) than the cold stagnant pools that never see the light of day.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-scaled.jpg 1422w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-480x692.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-800x1153.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-768x1106.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-1066x1536.jpg 1066w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-570x821.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-370x533.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-34-722x1040.jpg 722w)
With the spring water the canyon seemed to get more lush.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-37-722x482.jpg 722w)
A beautiful grotto where vegetation grows over the entrance of a side spring.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-39-722x1082.jpg 722w)
The sun climbed high enough to light up the streambed and warm up the canyon walls.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-41-722x482.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-44-722x1082.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-42-722x1082.jpg 722w)
Some fun, idyllic navigating along and through deep pools.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-45-722x482.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-480x660.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-800x1100.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-768x1056.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-1117x1536.jpg 1117w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-scaled.jpg 1490w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-570x784.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-370x509.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-50-722x993.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-480x635.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-800x1058.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-768x1015.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-1162x1536.jpg 1162w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-scaled.jpg 1549w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-570x753.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-370x489.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-46-722x954.jpg 722w)
We stopped here to warm up in the sun and eat lunch.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-2-722x481.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3-722x481.jpg 722w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-1-3.jpg 1561w)
The same area as the previous pictures, but viewed from above, in 2008.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-480x276.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-800x459.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-768x441.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-1536x882.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-570x327.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-370x212.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-53-722x415.jpg 722w)
After we rested to eat lunch and warm up, there were two or three other groups who caught up. There seemed to be a logjam of people at this point. The two groups above were having some tense situation. It seemed like they had been one group but were not getting along and splitting into two groups. They weren’t wearing wetsuits and some of them seemed hypothermic.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-scaled.jpg 1392w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-480x706.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-800x1177.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-768x1130.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-1044x1536.jpg 1044w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-570x839.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-370x544.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-52-722x1062.jpg 722w)
This faster moving group preparing to enter the narrowest part of the canyon, sometimes called the keyhole.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-57-722x1082.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-480x666.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-800x1109.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-768x1065.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-1108x1536.jpg 1108w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-scaled.jpg 1477w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-570x790.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-370x513.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-61-722x1001.jpg 722w)
Ella descends the falls while I explore this fantastic stretch.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-480x318.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-800x530.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-768x509.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-570x378.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-370x245.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-56-722x478.jpg 722w)
A really fantastic hollowed out bowl of rock with a hole in the wall big enough to step through.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-800x1199.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-570x854.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-59-722x1082.jpg 722w)
Surreal view out the back of the bowl.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-60-722x482.jpg 722w)
Stepping through the hole you can continue downstream.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-scaled.jpg 1379w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-480x713.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-800x1188.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-768x1141.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-1034x1536.jpg 1034w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-570x847.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-370x550.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-62-722x1072.jpg 722w)
Continuing along this incredible joint in the rock.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-480x285.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-800x475.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-768x456.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-1536x911.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-570x338.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-370x220.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-66-722x428.jpg 722w)
Suddenly the little walkway stops and once again you have to briefly get into cold deep water.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-73-722x482.jpg 722w)
Looking up after exiting the keyhole.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-70-722x482.jpg 722w)
Amazing proportions and shapes in the inner sanctum.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-480x270.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-800x450.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-768x432.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-570x321.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-370x208.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-77-722x406.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-scaled.jpg 1444w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-480x681.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-800x1135.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-768x1089.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-1083x1536.jpg 1083w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-570x808.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-370x525.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-83-722x1024.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-480x300.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-800x501.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-768x481.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-1536x961.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-570x357.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-370x232.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-87-722x452.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-480x313.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-800x522.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-768x501.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-1536x1002.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-570x372.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-370x241.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-88-722x471.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-89-722x482.jpg 722w)
We briefly caught up to the faster group. Here I watched as they struggled through one last freezing cold pool of water. This pool also marked the final rappel.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-90-722x482.jpg 722w)
The famous pools of the subway! I had never seen them in direct sunlight before.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-800x534.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TheSubway-92-722x482.jpg 722w)
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Here you can see the the namesake subway shape in the canyon walls trailing off downstream. But to be fair, we’d been seeing that shape for a long time.Â
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The great pools are where most people turn around who have been hiking upstream. For us it meant we could finally take off our wetsuits and begin the long hike out. Shortly thereafter the canyon opens up. The picture above is a view looking down into the Left Fork from the cliffs above. If you notice the orange/brown cliffs in the sunlight at the end of the canyon on the left side of the picture, that is where the pools and keyhole falls area of the trip is. It’s very complicated and that is where the last 20 pictures of this blog entry were taken.