I’ve visited Zion National Park several times but never had the chance to fully explore it on foot. Each trip seems to lead me back to Angels Landing (three times now!) with different groups, squeezing in just one other short trail during our brief stays. When the team at Outdoor Vitals secured permits for the West Rim Trail (top to bottom) and invited me along, I couldn’t resist making the nine-hour drive from Denver to join their adventure.

The 16-mile West Rim Trail runs north-south through the park, usually hiked top-to-bottom. Most hikers drop their packs to detour to Angels Landing before descending into the valley. However, recent flash floods had closed the trail to Angels Landing, turning our trip into an 18-mile out-and-back journey to backcountry site #4.

Coming from Denver while the Outdoor Vitals team drove from their Cedar City headquarters, we planned a rough meetup time at the trailhead given the spotty cell service. If either group couldn’t make it, we’d simply connect on the trail.

Kolob Terrace Road and Lava Point Road revealed yet another stunning side of Zion I’d never seen. The small trailhead parking lot (max 10 vehicles) was empty when I arrived. Prepping my gear, I wondered if any parked cars belonged to the Outdoor Vitals crew.

I hit the trail quickly, hoping to catch up if they’d started already. The surprisingly flat terrain let me set my own ‘Randy Pace’ – covering the first five miles in just 1 hour 24 minutes. While efficient, the unremarkable landscape left me underwhelmed.

At the five-mile mark, Zion’s beauty finally revealed itself – a perfect shady tree for resting and an incredible westward vista into Potato Hollow.

After the viewpoint, the trail remained flat before gradually descending. I encountered surreal terrain – a path of fine desert sand winding through wildflower fields, bizarre yet beautiful. Then everything changed.

Just beyond the sand-and-wildflower wonderland, the trail abruptly climbed into forested slopes. My legs suddenly rebelled – the flat desert pace, combined with inadequate hydration and calories, caught up with me the moment real climbing began.

I’d packed 3L of water, counting on at least one of four potential water sources mentioned in guides. None materialized, forcing me to ration carefully for the remainder of the desert trek.

After conquering the first major climb of the hike, I was rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Potato Hollow. Pausing frequently to snap photos and catch my breath, it struck me that this pristine wilderness has no roads or maintained trails—only those who’ve trekked the West Rim Trail have witnessed these spectacular vistas. How incredible that so few have been privileged to experience Potato Hollow’s raw beauty!

This is exactly why I live for outdoor adventures. In that moment, I felt immense gratitude—both for my ability to reach this remote spot and for the invitation from Outdoor Vitals that made it possible.

The West Rim Trail led us up another incline toward backcountry campsites, treating us to more stunning overlooks of Potato Hollow. Arriving at site #4 first, I realized I’d outpaced the Outdoor Vitals team—they’d detoured to West Zion for permits. After pitching my tent and documenting the scene, I grabbed a quick nap while waiting for the crew.

The guys arrived about an hour later with an impressive variety of setups: Dave tested a prototype one-person tent (going ultra-minimalist with just footprint and rainfly), Derek opted for a simple A-frame tarp over his sleeping bag, and Shawn—a fellow content creator—showcased an Outdoor Vitals hammock system. Talk about a gearhead’s paradise!

We instantly clicked—like a spontaneous backpacking meetup (hey, I’m always game for new experiences!). As we swapped adventure stories and rested our legs, a curious deer wandered through camp. At sunset, we hauled dinner and cameras to a nearby viewpoint, though California’s wildfire smoke sadly obscured what should have been a spectacular show.

Nature compensated with an electrifying display of heat lightning as darkness fell. During cloud breaks, we spotted satellites and identified planets—Mars and Jupiter shone particularly bright. Turning in early, we prepared for tomorrow’s 9-mile trek before the desert heat set in.

After a restful night and quick breakfast, we hit the trail sooner than planned. Crushing nine miles before noon (with icy Gatorade rewards at the trailhead!) felt incredibly satisfying. A quick shoe change later, we were en route to our next basecamp—Zion Canyon Campground near Springdale.

Post-camp setup, we celebrated with cold drinks and a secret swimming hole Dave knew. Launching off boulders into the refreshing water was pure bliss—the perfect remedy for two days of desert hiking!

I initially planned to stay overnight and return to Denver in the morning, but I opted to escape the heat by leaving just before sunset to tackle the nine-hour drive. I reached Colorado National Monument around 12:30am, snapped some night shots, slept in my truck, and finished the drive home at dawn.

Major props to the crew at Outdoor Vitals for inviting me on this adventure. Grateful for the chance to backpack through Zion and discover more of the park. Their gear is top-notch—definitely give them a look. Huge thanks to Shaun for capturing the journey and giving me a shoutout in his video. With his massive YouTube following, don’t miss his epic trip videos—hit subscribe!