Angel's Landing Hike

After learning that I was not able to hike the slot canyon, I searched for other alternatives for exploring the park. According to the rangers, there is really only one hike where you can experience the full grandure of Zion: Angel's Landing. So, on my second day I woke around 6:00 am, packed a lunch, lots of water, and headed out to catch the shuttle to the foot of Angel's Landing. I reeled with excitement to have a chance at a bird's-eye-view of this beautiful and fragile landscape. The physical characteristics of this place were so different from what I was used to, it felt like I was discovering a foreign location (with 2,000 other tourists, of course). As I read the park's discription of the hike, "starting at an elevation of 5,380 ft and ending at 8,750 ft, Angel's Landing is not for the faint-of-heart," it sounded exactly like what I was looking for, but it would soon, out-do my expectations. Although I am an avid hiker with over 100 days in the Appalachians and the Rockies, this hike was undoubtably the best day-hike I had ever experienced.

The sign says it all!

I especially liked the picture of stickman falling to his doom.

Note the chain that acts as your only hand rail.

This was the incredible view North from Angel's Landing.
Definitely one of the most awesome vistas that I have experienced.


This is looking South into the ever encroaching canyon walls.
Follow the river to the slot canyon and the canyon's origins.

Angel's Landing! In the photo, it looks as if you could just step across to White Face (the rock in the background), but it was probably 1/4 mile across the canyon.

On either side of the Landing, is about 2,000 ft drop!

Just follow the ridge to Angel's Landing. Note the small figures hiking their way up!

Or you could take the fast way up! Locals said this was a two day climb,

which meant these people slept on the face the previous night.

This was a section of the trail that was no wider than 3 ft

and on the downhill-side, was a 1,000+ ft fall.

The ascent rarely seemed to take a break.

Half way up, there was a great place to sit and take in the view.

I couldn't help but take this shot. Note the park tram that fits 75 people!

He was the view from the above seat.

Just before I reached the half-way mark, came Walter's Wiggles.

This set of cut backs were one of the many parts of the trail built by the

Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) during the New Deal era.

A friend doing his best "John Muir pose" at a turning point in the trail.

Looking back at the start to the ascent.