6/22/13 Why do Angels need to land so high?

June 22, 2013

 Today was set aside for a hike in Zion National Park.  After reading about the hikes, I decided we should do 'Angel's Landing'.  In the guide, they said two 'must hikes' are the Narrows (which we did last time we were here) and Angel's Landing.  So, I made a sandwich for Crew and me while Spouse gathered whatever he was going to eat on the trail.  Off we go. 

 We both had forgotten that we take a shuttle from trailhead to trailhead so we got our backpacks together and Spouse (Mr. Never-Leaves-The-House-WIthout-A-GPS) says he can't put his food in a backpack because it has to stay in the icechest.  What?  He knows we are hiking and he brought food that he couldn't take on a hike?  HELLLOOOOOO?  Is there anybody home?  We had an extra apple and that would have to do.  Good thing he had a big breakfast.

We leave the shuttle, cross over the Virgin River and head up the trail.  It starts off on soft red dirt, and as we climb, it becomes a roughly paved trail.  And it gets steep.  And there are switchbacks.  Steep switchbacks.  And the sun is shining.  We stop when there is shade to let our hearts slow down, then we climb.  After about a mile, we turn a corner and the trail levels out.  To our right there is a sheer wall going up hundreds of feet bringing some much appreciated shade.  To our left is a dry creek bed dotted with sycamores, oaks and pines.  The sunlight is bouncing off the wall on the other side of the creek bed creating a beautiful dappling of the leaves. 

After about a quarter mile. we turn another corner and the switchbacks begin again.  This time they are shorter and steeper.  And our hearts are pounding.  We climb, we rest.  We climb, we rest.  We finally get to the last leg of the hike.

From here, we need to climb over rocks, while hanging on to a heavy metal chain as we hang on the side of cliffs only 1400 feet high.  At some points, the actual footing of the trail is only about 3 feet wide so you can enjoy the view from both sides of the trail.  Be careful of those sandy areas as they can be slippery!  People are going both ways so you have to be careful as there are not many areas where you can step aside to let somebody pass.  After about a mile of cliff climbing, we reach the top of Angels Landing.  (Why they can't land a little lower down is beyond me!).  Once at the top, it is a secure rocky footing about 10 feet wide so it was not too difficult.  The views were spectacular and the sounds from the gentle winds were comforting.

But... then we had to go back down.  It is much easier not to look down when you are climbing up.  When you are climbing down, it is pretty hard to avoid looking down!  We went slow.  Sometimes I used my butt to scooch down.   Other times, I had to turn to weird angles to position my feet while using the chain to hold me from going forward.  But, we finally made it back to the dreaded switchbacks.  Going down steep switchbacks uses all sorts of different muscles.  And it is not easy NOT cramming your toes in your shoes.  When Spouse stopped for a rest, Crew and I continued on.  We waited a few times for Spouse but as we got to the bottom and saw a short trail to the Virgin River. we took the 30 foot trail and got wet.  We watched for Spouse but missed him.  So we made our way back to the shuttle to listen to Spouse grumble at our faux pas.

We actually considered doing a short hike on the narrows, but it would be at least a mile before we got to the water, so it would have to be about a three mile hike after our nearly 6 mile strenuous hike and we came to our senses.  After Spouse ate his snack, we made our way back to Hannah.

And now we start plotting our future.

 

 

 
 

 

Note:  They are still both wearing the same shorts.