The Subway

It seems like an eternity since we've updated our blog. But it hasn't been for a lack of things to blog about. This has actually been one of the most eventful summers on record for the Steen family. We'll start with what for me is the highlight of every summer, the Subway hike at Zion National Park.

The Subway is an 8 mile hike through mountain streams, steep switchbacks, and beautiful emerald pools that double as toilets. This is not a hike for the faint of heart or flaccid of musculature. From start to finish, it's about 10 hours, depending on how often you stop to take in the scenery and how well you can handle the repels and technical areas. We were very grateful to Robyn's parents for watching Maffew while we hiked.





Robyn's brothers Matt, Jon, and Scott met us about 2 hours into the hike. They were going to repel down into the canyon at a spot called Das Boot, but they went down the wrong way. Luckily, we had no trouble finding them. They ended up being a huge help on the repel portion of the hike.


We all take a rest before resuming the hike.


Matt decided to jump into a pool of water instead of climbing down like the rest of us.


Mary and Mark


At one point in the hike, the constant stream of water has created a natural water slide. You fly down it into a shallow pool of water, as you see Robyn doing here.


This is the toughest part of the hike. It doesn't look like much of a repel, but if you're a greenhorn like we all were, it's a little daunting. Mary had her difficulties, but she was a trooper and didn't stop. We were lucky to have Robyn's brothers with us.


This is the most picturesque portion of the subway.




Evolution was occurring right before our eyes. In a matter of months, this tadpole will become a fully grown human.


Mary and Robyn ready to start the final ascent to the trailhead.