Breathtaking views sound terrible, I know. So I'm going to do a warning post about Angel's Landing trail at Zion National Park. This post is not for someone who is completely overwhelmed by 360-degree views. My twin and I hiked this trail the day before my backpacking excursion through Zion National Parks back country. Never a bad way to start an outdoor themed week.
I write this saddened that at this current time due to the COVID-19, the park is temporarily closed. I am hoping that if you are reading this during the closures, stay inspired to get outside. Continue to plan your trip to Zion National Park once all of this clears out. Reading about these trails will help you be completely planned for your escapade. I promise you, your patience will pay off. Now, back to the beauty!
Angel's Landing is known for it's narrow trail that is set up by what seems like endless switchbacks. Those guide you to parts of the park that have drop offs on either side of you, (scary but not that scary). When you reach the landing and you are enveloped in sky scrapper views of Mother Nature at some of her peak moments.
Although the view at the end is the goal of this whole hike, don't forget to pause as you're going up those switchbacks. From me to you, the best advice I can give you is to turn around every once in awhile to see what is setup behind you. You might see something like this with the Virgin River whispering in your ears to "be present, be here, be now".
So the switchbacks, yes there are a lot. But remember, as you're going up approximately 1600 feet in elevation during this hike in just five miles round trip. So you you have to get up there somehow!
Then you'll be greeted by probably a single file line of other outdoor enthusiasts wanting to make their way up this once in a lifetime trail. This is OK! Do not shame them for working to see the same beauty you are wanting to see. I had to remind myself this as I was making my way up. ALL. THE. PEOPLE. And we were doing this hike on a Wednesday in the morning! We started as early as the park would let us and that wasn't even early enough. While in these lines going up, safety is what you need to practice, not complaining about all of the people.
The trail is narrow - yes. It is wide enough though to allow 3-5 people line up shoulder to shoulder on it but that is still a scary business. The fear scale rises when you realize that there are drop offs with no hope of rolling downhill. You are going to be free falling if things turn for the worst. There are chains, as I'm sure you've seen from other readings. Use those for your stability and as hiking insurance. This trail isn't dangerous unless the human-beings are being careless. Don't be one of those human-beings.
Ok - rant done. So you make it to the top. Now what? Take a deep breath and enjoy what you just scaled up. Take a peek around and see the other parts of Zion National Park. Your perspective of Zion is completely different than when you were on the ground. Ground views are stunning, eagle eye views are views that not everyone can see. You are gifted to be able to make the trip and make it to the top. Take a seat, enjoy a Toffee Buzz Cliff Bar and some water. Sit next to a cairn, take some pictures and create the memory file that one day you'll pull from to explain to someone the magic that this place holds. Remember what the Virgin River told you: "be present, be here, be now". And start your way down so you can explore more of Zion.
Angel's Landing is not the only place that Zion has to offer, although it is the most well known. Observation Point and the Narrows are a post coming soon to my hiking paiges.
Leave a comment below if you have been to Angel's Landing or when you are planning on going! I would love to hear your stories!
Keep hiking my friends! Cheers!
-A
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