I’ve visited Zion National Park several times, but most trips involved quick hikes like Angels Landing (three times now!) with different groups. When the team at Outdoor Vitals invited me to backpack the West Rim Trail (top to bottom), I couldn’t resist the nine-hour drive to join their permit-holding crew.

The 16-mile West Rim Trail runs north-south through Zion, usually done top-to-bottom with a side trip to Angels Landing. But recent flash floods closed that route, turning our trek into an 18-mile out-and-back to backcountry site #4.

Coming from Denver while the Outdoor Vitals team drove from Cedar City, we planned a rough meetup time at the trailhead – with no cell service, it was our only option if either group got delayed.

Kolob Terrace and Lava Point Roads revealed a new side of Zion I’d never seen. The small trailhead parking (max 10 cars) stood empty as I prepped my gear, unsure if any vehicle belonged to my hiking partners.

I hit the trail quickly, hoping to catch up if they’d started. The surprisingly flat terrain let me cruise at “Randy speed” – covering the first 5 miles in just 84 minutes. Not exactly the dramatic start I expected.

At the 5-mile mark, Zion’s magic finally appears: a perfect rest spot under a tree with stunning westward views into Potato Hollow.

After the viewpoint, gentle downhill hiking led me through surreal terrain – a desert sand path winding through wildflower fields. Beautiful, but where my troubles began.

The peaceful sand-and-wildflower section abruptly transitions into steep forested climbs. That’s when my legs rebelled – my blistering desert pace, combined with inadequate hydration and fuel, left me struggling uphill.

I carried 3L of water counting on at least one of four potential sources being available. None were. The rest of my hike became a careful water rationing exercise.

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 those who’ve trekked the West Rim Trail have witnessed its raw beauty. It’s humbling to realize how few have been privileged to see Potato Hollow’s untouched splendor.

This is why I live for adventure. 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. These are the experiences that fuel my passion for exploration.

The West Rim Trail led us upward past more stunning Potato Hollow vistas before reaching backcountry campsite #4. Beating the Outdoor Vitals team there (they’d detoured for permits), I quickly pitched my tent, documented the scene, and grabbed some well-earned rest while awaiting the group.

The crew arrived about an hour later with an impressive variety of setups: Dave tested a prototype ultralight tent using just footprint and rainfly, Derek went minimalist with a tarp shelter, while Shawn (a fellow content creator) rocked an Outdoor Vitals hammock system. The gear diversity was inspiring!

We instantly bonded over shared outdoor passions—laughing that this felt like some bizarre blind-date backpacking trip. As a curious deer wandered through camp, we swapped adventure stories until sunset, when we hauled cameras to a viewpoint. Sadly, California’s wildfire smoke obscured what should have been a spectacular desert sunset.

Nature compensated with an electrifying heat lightning show. During cloud breaks, we stargazed at visible planets like Mars and Jupiter before turning in early—determined to beat the desert heat on tomorrow’s 9-mile return hike.

After a restful night and quick breakfast, we crushed the return hike in just 3.5 hours—nine miles before noon! Those ice-cold Gatorades at the trailhead tasted like liquid gold. After swapping boots for flip-flops, we headed to our next basecamp at Zion Canyon Campground near Springdale.

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

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 12:30 a.m., snapped some night shots, slept in my truck, and finished the drive home at dawn.

A massive thanks to the crew at Outdoor Vitals for inviting me on this epic trip. 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 shoutout to Shaun for capturing the journey and giving me a shoutout in his video. With his massive YouTube following, be sure to check out his adventure videos and hit subscribe!