Angel's Landing
Location: Zion National Park, Utah
Length: 5 miles
Elevation: Gain/1488 ft.
Difficulty: Severe
Time: 4-5 hours
What better time to hike Angel's Landing than in the snow, right? Armed with micro-spikes and inspiration, we set off early in the morning to tick this hike off the bucket list. This hike is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for anyone who does not take hiking seriously. Go into this hike understand the importance of hydration, proper gear, and a focused mind. Deaths occur on this trail annually due to the large drop-offs on this narrow, strenuous climb.
You have to take the park's shuttle from the visitor center to arrive at the trail-head where there's bathrooms. You cross the Virgin river and the trail starts off to the right, meandering through the brush until you become aware of the switchbacks. These are not the infamous Wally's wiggles; those come later. Give it your best and take advantage of the trail's benches when you get out of breath. I recommend doing this hike early in the morning, because the sun exposure will only intensify the physical challenge. After these switchbacks, you get a reprieve as you make your way up a narrow canyon. The trail hugs canyon walls as you ascend to Wally's Wiggles. These switchbacks are much shorter and less steep. We saw people slipping in their tennis shoes on the ice patches. It was terrifying because these narrow switchbacks don't leave much room to recover from a fall.
Once up top, the area sprawls out and you'll see a sign for Angel's Landing. This is where the real work begins. A linked chain attached to metal posts lead the way across the narrow rock wall, with drop-offs on either side. I can only imagine what hiking this is like in the busy summer season... We had people in tennis shoes and gym clothes inching along the icy, snow covered rock, hanging onto this chain for dear life. When you reach another hiker, be prepared to get intimate as you pass each other, still holding onto this chain for balance. It isn't nerve-wracking the entire way, but if your thighs are burning from those switchbacks, it's all the more reason to avoid complacency during this stretch of the trail.
This hike honestly gives you the best seat in the house, though. Angel's Landing ends with enough room to share with other hikes. Take a seat, refuel with some lunch, and get lost in the views.
Time: 4-5 hours
You have to take the park's shuttle from the visitor center to arrive at the trail-head where there's bathrooms. You cross the Virgin river and the trail starts off to the right, meandering through the brush until you become aware of the switchbacks. These are not the infamous Wally's wiggles; those come later. Give it your best and take advantage of the trail's benches when you get out of breath. I recommend doing this hike early in the morning, because the sun exposure will only intensify the physical challenge. After these switchbacks, you get a reprieve as you make your way up a narrow canyon. The trail hugs canyon walls as you ascend to Wally's Wiggles. These switchbacks are much shorter and less steep. We saw people slipping in their tennis shoes on the ice patches. It was terrifying because these narrow switchbacks don't leave much room to recover from a fall.
Once up top, the area sprawls out and you'll see a sign for Angel's Landing. This is where the real work begins. A linked chain attached to metal posts lead the way across the narrow rock wall, with drop-offs on either side. I can only imagine what hiking this is like in the busy summer season... We had people in tennis shoes and gym clothes inching along the icy, snow covered rock, hanging onto this chain for dear life. When you reach another hiker, be prepared to get intimate as you pass each other, still holding onto this chain for balance. It isn't nerve-wracking the entire way, but if your thighs are burning from those switchbacks, it's all the more reason to avoid complacency during this stretch of the trail.
This hike honestly gives you the best seat in the house, though. Angel's Landing ends with enough room to share with other hikes. Take a seat, refuel with some lunch, and get lost in the views.
Comments
Post a Comment