Zion National Park
|
Angels Landing Zion National Park |
April 20, 2010
Last year I promised myself a revisit to this, my second-most-favorite trail. It is twenty degrees warmer and quite a bit greener this time around.
Starting out
In the distance I can see the slanted cutout blasted from the cliff to facilitate this trail. Along the way are numerous flower types, including the gorgeous red and purple paintbrush that I have not seen previously and which I have been unable to positively identify.
 |
 |
| The trail looms above | Incense Cedar Mistletoe |
 |
 |
| Eastwood's Paintbrush, I presume | Beautiful trail |
This is the first time in my three trips here that water has been flowing in the canyon.
Refrigerator Canyon is a cool respite to the switchbacks
Starting up the north end
 |
 |
| Scout Lookout and its viewpoint | |
Many hikers are content to stop here, being reluctant to continue for one reason or another, and that's just fine. Two people fell and died here last year; one slipped off the trail for an undisclosed reason, and the other did something imprudent on the summit. "A man's got to know his limitations," I am told.
Dozens of hardy souls are making the effort today, however.
Razorback Ridge ⇔
 |
 |
| This is the scariest part | Nifty stairs |
Three women have gathered here at the big stairstep, proclaiming that when the chain stopped, so did they. "But it's only 800 feet down on one side, and 1,200 feet on the other!" I chide.
 |
 |
| Chains advised | It is somewhat crowded today |
The summit is achieved easily enough, with just a few stops for breathers. I seem to be in better condition than when I visited last year, which is good; for I am planning to tackle Half Dome just a month from now.
The true summit of Angels Landing, in front of the West Rim
Summit northward view
Summit southward view
The resident rodents are relatively fearless; they scurry around, under, and even over the tops of hikers stopped for a lunch break. Although feeding them is illegal, it is certain that they get plenty of action anyway.
 |
 |
| Summit panhandlers | |
 |
 |
| Greenleaf Manzanita | Desert Paintbrush |
A hiker couple en route from Florida to their summer digs in British Columbia are happy to take my photograph, just to show that I am not faking all the hikes that I write about.
Ted the Conqueror
Looking down at Scout Landing imparts a feeling of accomplishment.
Scout Lookout is in the center of the picture
Somehow the scenery always is different on the return leg. Careful footwork remains critically important, however.
 |
 |
| Looking both up and down, from the same spot | |
 |
 |
| Back at the scary stairstep | A previously unnoticed arch underneath the trail |
Safely back at Scout Lookout, I descend the 21 switchbacks of the famous Walters Wiggles.
Walters Wiggles
Natural cliff art
 |
 |
| Refrigerator Canyon formations | |
A sighting of the park lodge indicates that my journey is nearly complete.
 |
 |
| Down the switchbacks | |
 |
 |
| Trail maintenance workers head for home at day's end | |
The Great White Throne
§: Last year it was cold and crowded on this trail, but I still gave the trek a rating of 9. Today the weather was good and the traffic was quite tolerable. What more need be said? This hike is in a class of its own.
View more about this trail and its history here:
<Angels Landing, Mar 27, 2009>
Zion National Park
Angels Landing