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| Angels Landing - Zion, UT | |
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| | Angels Landing - Zion, UT | | | |
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Angels Landing - Zion, UT
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| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
1,488 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 1.25 mph |
| 1,488 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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none
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| no partners | | The first time I did Angels Landing was with my father and brother in 1978, and I couldn't wait to show my wife this incredible place. The trail to the summit is only 2.5 miles, but has a name for each section, starting with the Grotto Trailhead, leading to a canyon so shaded it is called the Refrigerator. A little further a section of switchbacks called Walter's Wiggles are so steep they paved them with asphalt accounts for most of the elevation gain. From there you reach a narrow rugged spine of stone called the Hogsback, which is where things get wild. Maybe it was the invincibility of youth, but I didn't remember the exposure being so lethal when I was 13, and it was at this point my wife decided one of us needed to return home to feed the cat, so I continued solo. The trail, or should I say route, is solid and well marked, and even has chains bolted to certain sections, but the expanse of open air on either side will keep your senses tingling.
Finally, I reached the smooth stone summit and enjoyed the 360 degree view of Zion, recalling the time 17 years prior I had stood on the very same spot where one can indeed imagine an Angel would land.
My return was slow and deliberate, knowing most falls occur on the down climb, and the thought of falling while my Angel was watching from the other end of the Hogsback was sobering to say the least. When I finally reached her, we were both relieved, it isn't even a technical climb, but it was the first time I did anything like this with her watching. I was glad she had decided to stay put, now we could focus on the rest of Zion! |
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The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
