Wow. Angel's Landing. The name comes from the earliest European settlers imagining Angels landing on the very tip of the mountain. 5.4 miles, 1500 foot elevation change through a canyon.
We started by getting up early. 5:15. Sounds a lot better than 4:30 doesn't it? We arrived in plenty of time for the first shuttle of the day to take us to the trail head. We packed cheese sticks, slim jims and nuts, as well as 2 liters of water each. I took my walking stick and a nylon backpack to put it in for the chain part. What is this chain part? some of you are asking. We'll get to that in a moment.
We hiked up a sandy trail that was very easy going. It was early so it was pretty cool. Then we arrived at a section that headed steadily up, but was paved like sidewalk. Up, up, up. there were switchbacks eventually and we started counting them. We got past 19 before we ever got to the "wiggles." The wiggles are steep switchbacks as part of the canyon wall. All together, there were 39 switchbacks. So far so good, although I confess I had to stop to "take a picture" a few times.
Now, I do not have a lot of confidence in myself about these strenuous trails. I had worked hard to psych myself up for this hike. We came across this guy and he said "you're not even to the hard part yet." I wanted to cry. Seriously I let this guy's words shake my confidence. John cheered me on, and we continued. We got to the first viewpoint which was breathtaking!
This is the place where those who are afraid of heights stay and maybe even go back down. I didn't think I had a fear of heights, and it turns out I was right. There was a German man coming off the chains just as we were arriving at them. "Don't do it, you get the same view from here." he said. I knew better and I have wanted to make this hike since the first time John told me about it. I'd trained. I could do it. Better confidence at this point.
Ahead were the chains. This is a section of the mountain shaped like the start of a roller coaster. The path varied but there were times when the path was about 3 feet wide and there were sheer drops off the canyon on both sides. You had to use the chains to pull yourself up some very steep steps. There are places where you have to walk sideways to get through. I used muscles I didn't know I had. I used my mountaineering techniques I learned from Ranger Glen and while it used a lot of energy, it was fun. John had to keep adjusting my nylon backpack with the collapse-able walking stick in it so the stick wouldn't fall out. I tell you the truth, I think John would have enjoyed going twice as fast up and down that mountain, but he stayed right with me. I mean, really. I trip over a 3 foot rock right in front of me. Heck, sometimes I trip over my own feet. He wanted to be with me and to keep me safe. That is worth more than a nickle. (John, that's a Texas expression - that's worth a nickle anyway.)
When we arrived at the top I had to say it. Yep. "Take that, Ranger Boy!" and BAM. John is learning the proper use of the word BAM, with the karate chop and all. He even did the karate chop.
We could see the Narrows, the Great White Throne, Weeping Rock, Hidden Canyon and Zion Canyon from this viewpoint. We arrived at the top by 9:00 and had estimated 10. Yay for us!
There were chipmunks and squirrels at the top begging for food. Most people knew better but some kids tried to feed one. They will bite. I went into teacher mode and made sure they knew what they were risking. I do remember my mother feeding a squirrel at the Grand Canyon when I was a child. I thought it was awesome then. Since then, I've seen pictures of a hand bitten by a squirrel. It was nasty looking.
John and I do tend to go into teacher mode when we see people leaving the trail where there is soil crust containing small living creatures, or when people scurry down the hill off the trail and make the erosion worse or cause damage to the trail. There was an incident that I'm glad we went into teacher mode. There was a kid, about 13 or 14, who was throwing fist sized rocks off the peak of the trail. There are people down there hiking the trail. The second time, John said something to him and he stopped. Later, on the way down, a rock missed hitting me from above by about 2 feet. It scared me!
We sat and enjoyed the view from atop Angel's Landing for about an hour. We had our snacks, drank some water, took some pictures, talked to some people and just plain enjoyed the view. It was amazing and totally worth the hike.
Going down was a lot different than going up. There were some tricky places to find footholds, and by that time we encountered a lot of people going up. We had to find wider spots in the trail to let them pass and vice versa. John had seen a big bird, and the way he described it, I thought it was a Peregrine Falcon. I kept hearing it cry, and kept looking for it. Finally we spotted two of them at the top of a tree. Some very brave sparrows were trying to get them away from their nest and the Falcons were not moving. It was pretty exciting.
Down the chains, down the switchbacks, down the paved path. Not all down, however, and the bits that were uphill were making me sweat! We had shade until half way down the paved path. John met a woman there who knew his ex's parents and were from the same hometown. What a small world!
Off the mountain at 12 noon. I was proud of myself. At one point an older man asked me, "You didn't make it all the way up, did you?" and I proudly said, "I sure did!"
I almost fell asleep on the shuttle back to the car - I was SO tired. Happy, but tired.
Back at the site - showers and laundry. Laundry was fun. It was inside and air conditioned. It's over 100 today in Zion. We spent extra time in there just to stay out of the heat.
Next, grocery shopping. We only needed meat for tomorrow's meal, and a bell pepper. We did see some sauerkraut in a package that was cold and sounded great for the next time we eat sausage. It was in this cool little store with parking underneath. Kind of like Aldi's, where you have to buy the bag if you don't bring your own. We carried our meager purchase out without the bag.
Finally it was after 3:00 so we went to go watch a movie right outside the park. The screen was 6 stories high, so it was like an old IMAX. We watched this cool movie that was filmed all around the area - Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce, all the places I've been, except the Slot Canyon in Escalante. It may be a canyon named Slot Canyon or may be a type of canyon, we don't know, but I do want to find a way to go there next trip.
Yesterday I lost my fitbit. I really like using it, and it encourages me a lot. I have fitbit friends who cheer me on, and it tells me daily how many steps I've taken, how many miles I've gone, how many flights of stairs I've climbed and more. I was sad about it, and told John I didn't plan to buy another because they are a bit pricey. Today, after the movie, John suggested we go ask Ranger Boy about my fitbit, in case someone turned it in. Okay. I've given Ranger Boy a tough time, and I know it's not the same one, but now I have to quit. He had my fitbit! I bounced and clapped and got a high pitched sound, and was so excited. I thanked him profusely, but I think it is now time to give Ranger Boy a break. Thank you Ranger Boy for finding my fitbit!
Back at camp, it was hot - sweltering! We fixed pork chops and salad. My stomach has apparently shrunk because I was full after half my salad. It was good though, and I did have a pork chop.
Rest of the evening we kind of loafed around, nursing our sore muscles - at least mine were sore, and my arthritis in my knees and hips was screaming. Dishes done, we sat in our chairs and just enjoyed the evening.
I was able to upload a few pictures from Day 3, if you are interested.
Tomorrow - Great Basin!
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