Angel’s Landing

Friday, December 23, 2016 – Zion National Park

After our drive-through of Zion on Thursday we were ready to hit the trails and explore. We entered the park from the east and drove with the rising sun at our backs, lighting the rocks, trees, and canyons despite the overcast sky. Every once in while the sun would break through the clouds and brightly illuminate the rocks, making them even more beautiful than before.

Shortly after entering the park, we came across a herd of Bighorn Sheep. We try to be diligent wildlife spotters, but these guys made it easy – they were right in the middle of the road. They took their time crossing the road, which gave us plenty of photo ops. Eventually they all made it across and scampered up the rocks, and we proceeded for some scampering of our own.

Angel’s Landing is probably the most popular hike in Zion National Park, and with good reason. It is a great hike, 2.5 miles each way with 1,488 ft. of elevation gain and spectacular views. After our Bighorn Sheep encounter, went straight to Angel’s Landing to get started before the trail got too busy.

The trail starts easily enough. You walk a mile and a half into an ever-narrowing canyon, all the while looking at the rock wall to your right knowing that eventually you’re going to have to haul yourself up there. Angels may be able to fly up there and land, but we mortals must climb.

And then it happens – you do a 180 degree turn to the right and sure enough, the easy walk starts to get interesting. The first challenge is Walter’s Wiggles – a series of switchbacks that begins the real climb. After making your way through the Wiggles it is an uphill climb to Scout Lookout – a beautiful spot, but not the end.

From Scout Lookout you have to walk the narrow ridge another half-mile or so to reach Angels Landing. Most of the trail has chains anchored to the rocks to provide a handhold for support. It is a dangerous hike and many people have fallen to serious injury or death from there, so we took it very seriously. We were concerned that there would be snow or ice and that we would not be able to finish, but the trail was clear. Chrissy waited at Scout’s Landing, and Delaney, Aaron, and I pressed on ahead. We were rewarded with incredible views and a great sense of accomplishment. That day I declared it one of my Top 5 favorite hikes (along with Mt. Rogers, Taggert & Bradley Lakes, Mt. Washburn, and Kilauea Iki) and I still think it belongs on that list.

The walk down was every bit as challenging as the walk up, perhaps even more so. Delaney felt particularly unsteady on the narrow, slick rocks so she sat down and scooted much of the way on her backside. So much so that she wore right through the pants she was wearing, something we still remind her of when we talk about Angel’s Landing.

We hit the highlight of the day early with Angels Landing. We walked a couple of other short trails and enjoyed a few overlooks before heading into Springdale for pizza, then went back to the cabin for an epic game of Scrabble to end the day.