Angels Landing

Met up with Cathy, Donna and Edgar from Hawaii to experience what many consider to be one of the classic day hikes in the country.

Sharing the road with a family of hoofed ruminant mammals as we got off the shuttle and walked over to the Grotto Trailhead.

I wonder how many were sacrificed when they built this bridge?

Getting our feet all sandy as we headed towards the fin shaped rock. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

The fine granular trail soon gave way to a paved path that hugged the base of the cliffs. Photo by Donna Mae.

Edgar steadily climbing up the trail underneath a rock overhang. Photo by Donna Mae.

The trail soon coiled into switch backs that ate up the elevation. Photo by Donna Mae.

Looking back into the picturesque valley. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Jasmin crossing over a short bridge after the rapid elevation gain. Rapid being relative. Photo by Cathy Gamiao.

Reducing our sun exposure and cardio tempo for a short stretch that was lined with maple trees.

View from the canyon trail. Photo by Cathy Gamiao.

Looking back at the orange-red canyons textured with green pine trees. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Putting our heads down and going up the 21 short, steep and sharp switchbacks. Photo by Donna Mae.

Catching my breath at the top.

Last chance to use the bathroom and now is the time to turn around if one suffers from a severe case of acrophobia. Nobody wants to be #10. Photo by Cathy Gamiao.

Chains and whips. One is literal and the other figurative. Photo by Donna Mae.

Donna and Edgar making their way up.

Patience is a virtue. Repeat. Bite tongue. Repeat.

The chained climb soon took on more of a horizontal pitch but the drop offs remained.

Making our approach to the fin shaped rock that sticks out into the valley. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Edgar crossing over the constantly eroding ridge.

Scrambling our way up the irregular and uneven sandstone steps. Photo by Donna Mae.

Edgar passing through the interrupted chained trail.

Chasing the sun over the exposed trail. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Edgar enjoying the last shaded section of the trail.

Passing underneath the arched pine tree. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Standing a little higher than the 5,790′ summit. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

What may seem like suicidal shuffling down the cliff was simply us getting away from the crowded summit. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Lot of elbow room down here. Photo by Donna Mae.

People = Handouts. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Donna looking into the 270 million year old canyon that dates back to the Triassic period. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

“Never follow the crowd. Go where it’s empty.” Austrian Oak.

Group photo left to right: Jasmin, myself, Cathy, Donna and Edgar.

Enjoying the photogenic views all around us.

Time to stand in line to go back down. Pays to be an early bird on this trail.

“Keep your hands on the chains and keep searching for the views.” Paraphrasing Casey Kasem.

The afternoon sun had chased away the morning chill. Photo by Donna Mae.

Passing one of many bottlenecks on the trail coming down.

Leaving the hiker congested rocky spine behind us.

I can’t help but think that if these chains were removed, would the crowds correspondingly drop? Photo by Donna Mae.

Where do we pick up our “I’ve been to Angel’s Landing Certificate?”

Cooling off in the shaded corridor from the mid-day heat.

Looking down into the valley of refuge. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Going back down the switch backs was definitely easier on the lungs and legs.

Our 4.35 mile hike on the most famous attraction in Zion National Park was filled with climbs, views and good company. Post hike meal at China Buffet. Everybody’s favorite place to eat on a budget. Mahalo to Edgar for picking up the check. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Tagged as: angels landing, grotto trailhead, hogsback, refrigerator canyon, scouts landing, temple of aeolus, the organ, virgin river, walters wiggles