5 Nat'l Parks in 5 Weeks Cont: Zion's Angels Landing

Christine said that when I got to Zion, I had to hike Angel's Landing. I was beginning to wonder if that was such a good idea, since the shuttle drivers kept commenting on it was not a good hike for anyone remotely scared of heights. They talked about this ledge you had to walk along with an 800 foot drop on one side and a 1500 drop on the other. OK, I think I can handle that. So after Gary and Martha departed, I took off for Angel's Landing. I didn't think the ledge was all that bad. What the drivers didn't tell you is that after the ledge you have to climb the last 400 vertical feet nearly straight up, switching back and forth between the 1500 foot drop side and the 800 foot drop side. Lets just say that if you loose you balance, or, slip and fall, your done for. There is no hope of arresting your fall before your over the edge. But the view from the top made it worthwhile. Several hundred people a day make the hike in the summer. Most hikes the destination is most of the experience. On this hike, getting there is the most memorable part.

Here's how the hike goes:

First you climb up a 1000 vertical feet to this slot canyon and hike to the end of it.
The canyon itself is worth the hike to here.

Then you climb this series of switchbacks called "Wally's Wiggles"

After Wally's Wiggles, your on the ridge line.
You now hike it to the top of Angel's Landing.

This is the section the shuttle drivers like to talk about,
where it's a 1500' drop on one side,
and an 800' drop into the slotted canyon on the other.

But look how wide and flat that is.

So much for the wide and flat part.
Now it is nearly straight up.

This section is along the ridge line.
Other sections are on either side.

And that's Angel's Landing, way up there.

Just look at where you have to climb up!

Once on top, the views are stellar!!

This is looking south.

And this is looking north.
Now to get back down.....