Angels Landing
What a wonderful hike! If you want another
fantastic view of
one of the most beautiful places on earth, Angels Landing in
The Angels Landing hike is a 5 mile round trip hike considered strenuous, but most of all it is mentally taxing. From Scouts Lookout to the top of Angels Landing is precarious at the least. The trail transverses a thin geological fin with drop offs to each side of 800 – 1200 feet. This is not a place for those with a fear of heights or who suffer with vertigo.
The day started early with a great breakfast at
Oscar’s, a
place of local fare in the small town Springdale located just outside
of the
south entrance to Zion. Afterwards, we
caught
a local shuttle to the park entrance and headed into the park to catch
one of
the shuttle buses that bring you into
Our stop for the trailhead for the Angels
Landing hike is The
Grotto. After crossing a short bridge
over the Virgin River we head up the sandy West Rim trail
alongside of
the
As you exit
Just above Walter’s Wiggles is Scout Lookout. There are steep drop-offs here and is a
popular
place to rest either on the way to Angels Landing or as a destination.
The
views from Scout Lookout are impressive in their
own right. It is also
where
the trail splits. The West Rim Trail continues on and the trail
climbing
skyward to Angels Landing begins. Take time to rest, eat a
snack, have
a drink,
take some pictures and watch the squirrels beg for food.
They are
unrelenting
little critters! You can also listen to the stories from other hikers
coming
back from Angels Landing - both from those who made it and from those
who
changed their mind and turned around.
This is also the place to decide if you are
really up to
hike the last half mile to Angels Landing. Again, heed the warnings
that from
here on is no place for the timid, those with a fear of heights or even
a
little vertigo. The trail is VERY narrow with long falls to each side.
Although
there are chains, hand holds, and footholds, you need to be confident
in your
balance and surefootedness. If you think you are physically up for it,
face
your fears and go ahead. It’s worth the trip!
From here you begin the trek across the saddle and up the climb to the summit of Angels Landing. There are rock formations that work like stair steps, short scrambles up tree limbs and some sections where the trail is only as wide as your two feet.
Passing
other hikers takes some planning and care. The climb to the summit is
precarious but not really difficult. Again, slow and steady is the way
to go.
Once you reach the top, it all becomes worthwhile. The views of
Angels Landing was so named because it is so massive and narrow that only angels might land on it. Being in no hurry to go anywhere, we stayed at the top for quite a while and soaked in the beauty. What a wonderful, peaceful place. We took some pictures, ate our lunch with another couple that we met along the way, took more pictures - you get the idea. Although we tried, I don’t think pictures express the feeling of being on top of Angels Landing.
The trip down and across the saddle back to Scout Lookout is again thrilling. Looking downward as you hike is different than climbing up. After a quick stop and a last look around at Scout Lookout, we headed back down to the river. Chatting about the exciting trip, the trail and the views made the hike down easy and seemingly quick.
