Thanksgiving in 2018 was a significant turning point for me. Balancing the demands of family and career had left my mind feeling chaotic. I realized I needed a break, so we planned a trip to Zion National Park. Zion National Park is one of the Mighty 5 national parks in Utah in USA, which also includes Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands.
Once we arrived at Zion National Park and took the classic shuttle to the visitor center, I was amazed by the majestic Zion Canyon. I stood in awe of the massive sandstone cliffs, which displayed shades of cream, pink, and red against the brilliant, blue sky. Although it was quite crowded, my companion suggested to hike a popular trail to have a view of Zion Canyon. Because the trail was a free-for-all when we went and assuming it to be a regular hike, we took the shuttle to the Grotto trailhead, the starting point for Angels Landing. But this was just a nice prelude to the main adventure!
The hike begins by crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Virgin River. The late fall colors highlighted the rich reds of the towering sandstone walls.
To my surprise, the trail quickly gained elevation, leading to the shaded and cool Refrigerator Canyon.
I was grateful to have my North Face puffer jacket with me! While zoning out and sorting through my thoughts, I was on the path to the head of the canyon and began a strenuous ascent up the east wall.
Eventually, I reached Walter’s Wiggles, a series of twenty-one switchbacks.
After two miles of climbing and the top of the switchbacks, the trail continued with a gradual ascent to a sandy area known as Scout Lookout. I felt elated to finally see the aerial views of Zion Canyon, and I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Is that it?”
A couple who were planning to turn back pointed out to their left the final, hair-raising climb of five hundred vertical feet to the top of Angels Landing! They mentioned that many who reached this point shared the same surprise. I had no idea what to expect! The narrow ledge required quite a bit of scrambling. From half a mile away, the already thin trail appeared even narrower. I didn’t want to head back and risk getting stuck in my thoughts again. Physical activity always energizes me and helps me stay focused on the present!
We started hiking, stepping carefully on the rocks. I noticed that a chain railing added an element of safety. I felt this adventure was packed with excitement, making it a relatively compact yet daring hike. The other hikers were quite bold, discussing the sheer drops around us. To boost our courage as we aimed for the summit, one hiker jokingly said, “Don’t worry if anyone falls; it won’t hurt, just die!” Phew!
After the first half of the final ascent, we came to a large flat overlook point.
At this stage, the hike became more of a mental challenge than a physical one. I contemplated the fact that I had already covered half of the trail, so why not give it one final push? As we approached the summit, we navigated carved steps along the spine of a knife-edge ridge. We gripped heavy chains attached to the rock as handrails, though these chains were not present along all the drop-offs.
We climbed up a steep scramble to reach the first knob, followed by an unprotected walk across a narrow saddle flanked by sheer drop-offs. On the Angels Landing hike, I truly experienced the exhilarating sensation of walking on the edge. We continued our ascent with the help of some spotty chains and footholds chiseled into the bedrock. Each pull on the chain from behind nudged my fingers against the rock. There were moments when I would grip the chain, focus my gaze on the rock, and then resume my slow pace toward the grand summit. Throughout the climb, I was aware of my heart working!
We followed an experienced hiker who had completed the trail before and was incredibly encouraging the entire way up. Her companions had chosen to turn back, but she kept going! I was grateful for the dry, cold weather, as it provided sturdy footing on the rocks and alleviated the fear of slipping.
I remained vigilant throughout the hike, carefully and deliberately taking each step until I reached the highest point of Angels Landing!
There are no guardrails, and resilient pine trees cling to the rocky edges above the steep drop. The breathtaking views of Zion Canyon, over 1,000 vertical feet below, made the hike worthwhile. The crisp, cool autumn air and the soothing warmth of the afternoon sun felt like a balm for our tired senses. We soaked in the jaw-dropping scenery. At the top of Angels Landing, the path widens, providing plenty of room for us to find our own little resting spot. The aerial view reveals that the summit is at the center of the Big Bend of Zion Canyon. We were greeted with a panorama of rugged spires, towering landscapes, and winding river. In the far distance, across the canyon, we could see the higher Observation Point. These stunning visual rewards made the daunting hike along the challenging trail of Angels Landing an incredible experience. It earned its name because it was said to be so high that only angels could reach the top. It truly lives up to its name!
With a clear mind and flooded with endorphins, I felt a deep connection to Angels Landing. It had truly brought me back to the present and focused my attention on the spectacular views surrounding me. No wonder Angels Landing was previously known as the Temple of Aeolus—it had a special healing effect on me. We spent almost half an hour on the top. Small group was having lunch, some were taking pictures and others were discussing what a raven was doing at such a height! We were also greeted by our little friends, chipmunks! It was fun to spend November afternoon appreciating the meticulous job of nature in rock formation.
Then began the terrifying descent. On the way back, I heard some hikers boasting about their accomplishments on narrow ridges. They chose to scramble down instead of sliding on their butt toward the cliff’s edge to return to the trail and the chains. It made me ponder how easily the human ego can become inflated. We all seemed excited about finishing the hike, and many were overcoming their long-standing fear of heights. A big applause for them! Same trail but each person experienced a sense of achievement, but in their unique and different ways.
One hiker, shocked and overwhelmed, went weak in the knees and declared that this was his first and last hike there. “Never again!” he exclaimed. Once we returned to Scout Landing, the journey back went smoothly, and we were filled with elation and excitement.
We took the shuttle back to the visitor center, and from the windows, we and other passengers gazed at the top of the giant sandstone formation, trying to spot other hikers. The conversation began to flow, and we mentioned that we had been at the top just a few hours earlier. One lady exclaimed, “What? You two are coming from the top of Zion?” That awestruck moment made me realize that although the hike to Angels Landing isn’t technically difficult, it is both physically and mentally strenuous and challenging.
I’m glad I carried my phone, as it allowed me to capture unforgettable moments from my hike and share pictures and experiences with my friends and family. It changed my perspective of strenuous hikes and my motto to “check out the view from up here!”
