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 join their permitted West Rim Trail backpacking trip (top-to-bottom route), I couldn’t resist the nine-hour drive from Denver to experience this iconic trail.

The 16-mile West Rim Trail runs north-south through Zion, typically done as a one-way descent with a side trip to Angels Landing. However, recent flash floods had closed the valley access, turning our journey into an 18-mile out-and-back trek 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 – with a backup plan to simply wait for each other if needed.

Kolob Terrace Road and Lava Point Road revealed a stunning, unfamiliar side of Zion. The small trailhead parking (max 10 vehicles) stood empty as I prepped my gear, wondering if any parked cars belonged to my companions.

I hit the trail quickly, hoping to catch up if they’d started already. The surprisingly flat terrain let me maintain “Randy speed” – covering the first 5 miles in just 1h24m. While efficient, the monotonous landscape left me underwhelmed.

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

After the viewpoint, gentle descends lead through surreal landscapes – fine desert sand trails winding through wildflower fields. Then, without warning…

The trail abruptly climbs into forested slopes. My legs suddenly rebelled – the flat desert pace and inadequate hydration/calories left me unprepared for real elevation gain.

I carried 3L of water, counting on at least one of four potential water sources mentioned in guides. None were flowing, forcing strict water rationing for the remaining hike.

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 area has no roads or maintained trails—only those who’ve trekked the West Rim Trail truly know its beauty. How incredible that so few have witnessed these untouched vistas!

This is exactly why I live for outdoor adventures. In that moment, I felt immense gratitude—both for my ability to reach this spot and for the opportunity, courtesy of the Outdoor Vitals team’s invitation.

The West Rim Trail led us upward past more stunning Potato Hollow overlooks toward backcountry campsites. Arriving at site #4 first (having apparently outpaced the permit-fetching Outdoor Vitals crew), I pitched my tent, documented the scene, and grabbed some rest while waiting for the others.

The crew 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 chose a simple A-frame tarp over his sleeping bag, and Shawn—another invited content creator—opted for an Outdoor Vitals hammock system.

We instantly clicked—a group of like-minded adventurers on what felt like a blind backpacking meetup (hey, I’ll try anything twice!). As we swapped outdoor stories and rested our legs, a curious deer wandered through camp. At dusk, we hauled dinner and cameras to a viewpoint, though California’s wildfire smoke tragically obscured what should’ve been a spectacular sunset.

Nature compensated with an electrifying heat lightning show against the darkening sky. During cloud breaks, we spotted satellites and identified planets like Mars and Jupiter. An early bedtime ensured we’d beat the desert heat during tomorrow’s 9-mile return hike.

After a peaceful night and quick breakfast, we crushed the return trek in just 3.5 hours—nine miles before noon! Those ice-cold Gatorades at the trailhead tasted like victory. A quick change into flip-flops, and we were off to our next basecamp at Zion Canyon Campground near Springdale.

Post-camp setup, we celebrated with drinks before Dave revealed Zion’s best-kept secret: a hidden swimming hole. Launching off a sun-warmed boulder into those refreshing waters was pure bliss—the perfect rinse after two dusty desert treks.

I had 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, then slept in my truck before completing the journey home at dawn.

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