From the end of the main road through Zion National Park, one can follow the Virgin River upstream (north) by foot, through a canyon known as The Narrows. To do this, however, one must first be aware of local weather conditions, to avoid being caught in a flash flood. It also helps to use a stout walking stick for stability, as the stream moves fast and it is often necessary to walk in the middle of it.

Wearing old sneakers, I trudged up the river two or three miles with thirty-five pounds of camera gear on my back and was rounding a bend when I turned and saw this image. What struck me was the quality of the light, which had bounced from wall to wall, absorbing the colors of the rocks along the way, washing every surface with its diffuse, golden-orange glow. Other examples of this effect are Images #1034 and #9246.