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.

Deer Crossing

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

Virgin River

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

Refrigerator Canyon

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

Refrigerator Canyon

View from the canyon trail. Photo by Cathy Gamiao.

West Rim Trail

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

Walters Wiggles

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

Walters Wiggles

Catching my breath at the top.

Scouts Lookout

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.

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

Donna and Edgar making their way up.

Traffic Jam

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

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

Edgar crossing over the constantly eroding ridge.

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

Edgar passing through the interrupted chained trail.

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

Edgar enjoying the last shaded section of the trail.

Hogsback

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

Angels Landing

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

Lemmings

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

Angels Landing

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

Squirrel

People = Handouts. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Zion Canyon

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

Angels Landing

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

Angels Landing

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

The Organ

Enjoying the photogenic views all around us.

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

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

Hogsback

Passing one of many bottlenecks on the trail coming down.

Hogsback

Leaving the hiker congested rocky spine behind us.

Hogsback

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

Scouts Lookout

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

Refrigerator Canyon

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

West Rim Trail

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

West Rim Trail

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

All pau

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.