Pictures: Lyle Such
Camera: Canon 5d Mkiii
Trail Details:
Distance: 5 Miles + additional mile from Emerald Pools.
Difficulty: Strenuous uphill.
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
We decided to spend our second day hiking the Angels Landing trail. I've wanted to do this hike for as long as I've known about Zion, and weather conditions and timing were finally perfect. Angels Landing is notorious for it's exposed, rock side climb to the top, and it always appears on the "most dangerous hikes" lists so it has that extra bit of edge that the West Rim Trail was lacking.
Our bus broke down at Zion Lodge, so we decided to add an extra mile or so to our hike and enjoy the riverside trail that goes past some waterfalls and along the canyon floor. We also had a much longer approach, so we watched as the looming Angels Landing peak grew closer and closer until the official trail began.
Looking west down Zion Canyon.
Angels Landing off in the distance.
This is the first set of switchbacks, climbing up the canyon walls. Since we left relatively early, a lot of this part of the hike remained in the shade. Considering how exposed the upper section is, this helped to keep our energy high.
This is the point where people have to decide whether they want to go through with the final ascent or not. Guided by chains, you can see as people form lines to follow the one trail up.
A brief safety lesson before we head up.
That's at least a 1000 foot drop. Dizzying at times, this one is definitely not for anyone who's afraid of heights. I always find that I'm not as much afraid of the edge for myself, but when I see other people close to it, my heart starts pounding a little bit. That might just come from being surrounded by clumsy people!
Caterpillar living at the top of the world.
Queuing up at one of the bottle necks. Only one way up/down.
Final view looking West.
Looking East towards The Narrows.
Once again the chipmunks were out in full force.
Most shots you see are these picture perfect, solitary shots of people alone on the peak. The reality is that it is an extremely crowded place. Everyone congregates near the edges and it becomes kind of a zoo up there. I'm actually surprised that more people don't get bumped off the edge at the top.
