Fall 2024 Back to the Southwest, 10.19.24 - 11.13.24, Part 9, Zion National Park/Angel’s Landing, UT
We made our first visit to Zion National Park in the fall of 2022. During that trip, Mike, his wife Sandy and I climbed Angel’s Landing. Bridgit had opted out on that trip. She was intimidated by the exposure on the final half mile so she hiked with us as far as Scout Lookout and then waited while we climbed to the summit and back. We reported it wasn’t that bad and that all the most exposed sections had fixed chains to hang onto. When we made plans to return to Zion this year, Bridgit decided she was mentally ready to take on Angel’s Landing so I went to Recreation.gov and secured permits for November 1st. After the trek out to Crawford Overlook the previous day, I wasn’t so sure I could make it up there! We took the shuttle up to The Grotto and started our hike around 8:45AM. The first part is an easy walk crossing the Virgin River and gently climbing towards Angel’s Landing.
Early morning view of Angel’s Landing along the start of the trail.
Soon we began to climb switchbacks that led straight up the face of a cliff. This eventually led to the entrance for Refrigerator Canyon. This canyon is almost a level stretch of trail which gave us a breather before getting to Walter’s Wiggles.
Now you can see the cliff face to the left of Angel’s Landing. The trail switchbacks straight up that cliff before rounding a corner into Refrigerator Canyon.
Bridgit making her way up the trail
Near the top of the cliff before going into Refrigerator Canyon
Looking back to the trailhead from high on the switchbacks
As we made our way up, we were going at the same pace as a young couple from Tampa. Cat and Ryan had just gotten married a few days earlier and were on their honeymoon. We ended up hiking together through Refrigerator Canyon and up Walter’s Wiggles to Scout Lookout. This is as far as you are allowed to go unless you have a permit. We showed ours to the ranger and then the four of us began the real climbing. While it is is no doubt steep and there are areas with very long drops, having the chain to hang onto for security is super helpful. I think it was good for Bridgit to have Cat and Ryan along seeing as how there is nothing like this in Florida. We encouraged them along the way and they gave Bridgit the confidence she could do it and soon the four of us were high-fiving at the summit of Angel’s Landing. I was so proud of her and so happy to see the look of accomplishment on her face. It was a big thing for her to face that fear and she handled it with no problem.
As an added bonus, while we were standing on the summit, a huge California Condor soared just above our heads, so close we could see its talons and beak. The wingspan on those condors are amazing!
Bridgit, Cat and Ryan
The chain section
The chain section
Nearing the summit
Almost to the top. Getting steeper!
The view from the summit looking down Zion Canyon
Looking straight down to the Temple Of Sinawava
Looking up into the entrance to the Zion Narrows. The point on the upper right of the photo is Observation Point where we had been two days earlier.
Closeup of Observation Point
A great climb is only a success if you get down safely. Unlike our climb in 2022 when there was a constant line of people coming up while we were trying to descend, this time there was hardly anyone coming up which made our descent much faster and easier. When we finally got back to Scout Lookout there was hugs and whoo hoos all the way around.
Uh, did I just climb that? And you want me to go down that?
Does that look say “I did it!” or what?
Safely back at Scout Lookout we said our goodbyes to our new friends Cat and Ryan and made our way back to our campsite. While we were climbing Angel’s Landing, Mike had done a solo top down hike of the West Rim Trail. When he got back he came over to our site and we grilled up burgers and drank a bottle of champagne to celebrate all kinds of things - fifty years of friendship, the ability to get together for eight hikes this year, Bridgit’s success on Angel’s Landing and that we’re all still alive to talk about it!
Descending Walter’s Wiggles
Victory selfie!