I’ve visited Zion National Park several times but never had the chance to fully explore it on foot. With different companions each trip, we always end up hiking Angels Landing (three times now!) and maybe 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 knew I had to make the nine-hour drive to join them.

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

Coming from Denver while the Outdoor Vitals team drove from their Cedar City HQ, we planned a rough meetup time at the trailhead – knowing cell service would be spotty. If either group ran late, we’d simply meet 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 (max 10 vehicles) was empty when I arrived. As I prepped 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 maintain “Randy Pace” – covering the first five miles in just 1 hour 24 minutes. Honestly, it was disappointingly uneventful.

But at the five-mile mark, Zion’s magic finally appears – a perfect rest spot under a tree with an incredible westward view into Potato Hollow.

After the viewpoint, the trail remains flat before gradually descending. I crossed surreal terrain where desert sand paths wound through wildflower fields – bizarre yet beautiful. Then everything changed…

Just past the sand-and-wildflower wonderland, the trail suddenly climbs steeply into forested slopes. This is where my legs decided to quit. My blistering desert pace, combined with inadequate hydration and calories, caught up with me the moment real climbing began.

I carried 3L of water, counting on at least one of four potential water sources mentioned in guides. Wrong. Not a drop available, forcing me to ration carefully for the entire hike.

After conquering the first major climb on 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 area has no roads or maintained trails—only hikers tackling the West Rim Trail get to witness this hidden gem. It’s humbling to realize how few have been lucky enough to experience Potato Hollow’s raw beauty.

This is exactly why I chase adventure—moments where gratitude overwhelms you. I felt thankful for my body carrying me here, and for the Outdoor Vitals team inviting me to discover places most never see.

The West Rim Trail led us upward past more stunning Potato Hollow vistas before reaching backcountry site #4. Beating the team there (they’d detoured for permits), I pitched my tent, documented the scene, and grabbed a quick nap awaiting the crew—already loving this wilderness solitude.

The crew arrived an hour later with wildly different setups: Dave tested a minimalist prototype tent, Derek went ultra-light with just a tarp and sleep system, while Shawn (a fellow content creator) rocked an Outdoor Vitals hammock setup. Gear creativity at its finest!

Instant camaraderie! We joked this was like a blind backpacking date (hey, I’d do it again). Trading adventure stories as a curious deer wandered through camp, we later hauled cameras to a viewpoint—only for California wildfire smoke to obscure what should’ve been an epic sunset.

Nature compensated with a dazzling heat lightning show. Between cloud breaks, we stargazed at Mars and Jupiter before turning in early—dawn would bring a grueling 9-mile desert trek.

We crushed the return hike by noon—9 miles before the heat hit! Icy Gatorades never tasted so good. After quick shoe changes, we headed to Zion Canyon Campground, ready for civilized comforts.

Post-camp setup, Dave guided us to a secret Zion swimming hole. Cannonballing off boulders into cool water? Pure bliss after two desert hiking days—the perfect trail grime rinse!

I had initially planned to stay overnight and return to Denver in the morning, but I opted to escape the scorching heat by leaving just before sunset to tackle the nine-hour drive. I reached Colorado National Monument around midnight and snapped some night photos before catching some sleep in my truck to complete the journey home at dawn.

Major props to the crew at Outdoor Vitals for having me on this epic trip. Grateful for the chance to backpack through Zion and uncover more of the park’s wonders. They keep crafting top-notch gear—definitely give them a look. Huge thanks to Shaun for capturing the adventure and giving me a shoutout in the video. With his massive YouTube following, don’t miss his travel vids—hit subscribe!