For a long time now I have had this desire to hike Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. We tried it a couple of months ago and decided to stop at Scout Lookout after a lady fell off of this trail the very same day that we were there! (about 7 people a year fall off the trail) Angels Landing is only a 5 mile round trip hike but you climb 1,500ft during that time and it is an extremely strenuous hike, not to be undertaken by the faint of heart of weak of mind ;) this hike pushes you to the limits - physically and mentally but it is worth every minute and I am so pleased that we did it. The hike up is exhausting to say the least; the last half mile or so being almost vertical climbing with only chains for support - it tests every muscle in your body. The views at the top however are insane! The weather was perfect and we sat on what felt like the very top of the world, catching our breath and having a snack; the feeling of having made it up there is indescribable; I was so proud of us. The journey down was a different story... after a physically exhausting climb up, my legs had turned to jelly and the fact that we were holding on to chains on the side of a near vertical rock had set in. We made it down in one piece and I have never been so relieved to be on flat, safe ground. What a day though.. one of the most rewarding days I have had in a really long time. If you haven't hiked Angels Landing, you gotta do it, its one of life's must do's!!!
Refrigerator Canyon - half way up the hike; the blast of cool air is a welcome break from the beating sun.
The final leg - almost to the top of Angels Landing! - pictures nowhere near do this justice - it is a lot steeper than it looks!!
Nearly there.... this is the view you can expect on the way up. In one part, the trail is 3ft wide with 1,200ft sheer vertical drops on both sides!!
View from the top - we made it!!
"Walter's Wiggles" switchbacks on the way back down with legs like jelly! This hike really takes it out of you!
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