I planned to hike the Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park with my wife Neena, but the weather had other plans for us. The day we arrived, the Virgin River was flowing at 35 CFS (Cubic Feet per Second). Predicted rainfall increased the potential for flash flooding - something that is very bad in Narrows and Slot Canyons, so we decided to change our plans and just day hike in the park. Friday was spent hiking up to Observation Point, where we could see the weather system moving in. The next morning during breakfast it started to pour. After a morning of rain, it peaked at 1900 CFS!!!! From a gentle stream, the Virgin River turned into a raging torrent with 50-foot tree trunks being tossed down the river like toothpicks. We spent a rainy Saturday hopping in and out of the trams to take short hikes, then spent the afternoon on to the east side of the park and shot some amazing waterfalls and streams. Sunday, the weather cleared and the river dropped to 140 CFS.

Locals said the waterfalls were some of the best they had seen in a decade. While the trip did not go as planned, we were blessed with and incredible adventure.

Christo Kuzmich is the manager of Adventure 16's store in San Diego. He grew up doing just about every outdoor activity possible between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada. Always curious, he describes himself as a jack-of-all-play and a master of fun!