Angel's Landing

Striking a pose at the top of Angel's Landing 

Angel's Landing in the morning light

Observation Point

The Zion Valley

Switchbacks.  Lots of switchbacks.

Typical scene on the way up

Taking a rest before walking the ridge

The walk ahead.

ChrisHiker and Angel's Landing

The cables make it a whole lot easier on the stomach

Looking toward the narrows

Zion Valley

Steve and Zac taking in the views

Zac nearing the summit

Virgin River

Looking down at the road and Big Bend

Trying to sneak a closer peak

The beautiful Zion Valley

Enjoying the moment atop Angel's Landing

A pine near the summit

A long way down

Angel's Landing from the Virgin River

Enjoying the cool waters of the Virgin

This is part 2 of the greatest hike series.  I've been waiting for a long time to do this one.  This is the classic Zion National Park hike.   LP refers to Angel’s Landing as, “the most precipitous trail to the most vertiginous point in Zion Canyon.”  For the past few days I have heard over and over on the buses, “those that have a fear of heights should not attempt Angel’s Landing.”  I had almost decided to not even bother trying.  Fortunately, I came to my senses.

I started out a little after 9.  Myself and two other guys hopped off the bus.  The walk followed the Virgin River and provided views of the huge cliff that makes up Angel’s Landing.  Compared to the surrounding mountains, Angel’s Landing does not look too impressive from this vantage point.  For whatever reason, the two guys I got off the bus with I thought were Germans.  As it turns out the Krauts were Americans from Tuscon, Steve and Zac.  They were father and son and they vacation together quite a bit.  I thought that was pretty fuckin cool.

Like Observation Point, there were just too many switchbacks to even count.  The last set called Walter Wiggles led to Scout’s Lookout.  From here there is an awesome view of the sliver of rock that is Angel’s Landing.  At this point, I found my whole body start to tense up.  But having the cables to guide you having someone to talk to made the going much easier.

 

We eventually came upon people making their way down.  They encouraged us to keep going and that it didn’t get worse than we had already completed.  This was true.  Most of the last stretch had the same consistent exposure.  The sides dropped off from both sides, but the cables steady you and trees to slow down your fall.  The nerves calmed down the further along I went.  Plus, I realized that I’ve done some winter hikes in the Catskills and Adirondacks that had more exposure.

 

We finally reached the summit.  We happened to arrive at just the right time.  Looking down the ridge, you could see a wave of hikers making their way.  The views from here were absolutely stunning.  Great views of the Zion Valley in both directions were on display.  Although my fear of heights were not really challenged (too much was made of it), I felt really good about myself making it to the summit.  Will Katadin’s knife edge be next?