Zion Park - Paradise for Angels & Hikers
Zion National Park is paradise for hikers. I already knew that but it was nice to see Knight Ridder Newspapers promote the park in a recent article by Bob Downing. You can read the article here. The article's timing was perfect-spring is the prime season to hike many of Zion's trails.
The park offers a wide range of hiking options, from easy strolls along the Virgin River to enthralling canyoneering treks through deep, dark slots. There is something here for everyone.
Angles Landing
(Here is a short video clip showing the Angels Landing hike: Flash Video, 4.5M
Referring to one particular hike, Angels Landing, Downing noted: "...some call it the pre-eminent trail in the national park system."
He gives a pretty fair description of the hike and then confesses: "But I skipped Angels Landing. More correctly, I chickened out."
He explains why: "Angels Landing is not recommended for anyone afraid of heights. The trail makes its way along a narrow, knife-edge ridge for the last half-mile, with drops of 1,200 feet or more on both sides.
"Hikers can cling to chains that have been bolted to rocks, and the path is only 12 to 18 inches wide. It requires a combination of hiking, scrambling and climbing."
Pretty good description, coming from a guy who has never been there. But I feel the need to clarify a few points. I've hiked Angels oh, 2-3 times a year for the past 20 years, and I'm here to tell you he messed up on a few facts. It's not merely the premier hike in our National Park System, it's the best family adventure hike in the universe. It really is that good.
But it isn't really that scary. There aren't any places where you hike over a knife-edge just 12-18 inches wide. The trail is at least 20 inches wide across the saddle he refers to. And there are no chains in that spot. The chains are positioned further up the trail, where it swings out on the edges of cliffs, which do indeed drop 1,200 or more feet straight down.
It's not really that scary, unless you happen to look down, but you really don't need to look down while climbing up the ridge. Most people make it to the top with little trouble. Coming back down is a different story. I've held many a trembling hand, assisting tough guys who freak out when they look down as they search for safe places to put hands and feet.
Physically, it really isn't that hard of a hike. The difficulty is more mental than physical. Virtually anyone can make it if they just take things slow and use caution. It is a great challenge that brings tremendous rewards. Views from the top are out of this world. And, more importantly, you experience a heavenly joy when you reach the bottom and realize you aren't going to die. This hike builds character; participants are often surprised by how much fortitude they muster, when they have to.
Downing explaines how the rock got its name: "The landmark got its name in 1916 when the Rev. Frederick Fisher exclaimed of the monolith: 'Only an angel could land on it.' The name stuck, and its legend grew."
Actually, we call it Angels Landing because it scares the hell out of people. And that's a good thing.
Come on down and enjoy this hiking paradise. Most trails in Zion are dry and hikable right now. Some, like the famous Narrows and Subway, require wading and are best done during summer when runoff has ended.
Zion's high country has received considerable snow recently and it is now melting, producing streamlets that cascade as waterfalls over the canyon walls. Also, wild flowers are now blooming in Zion Canyon and other low elevation areas. It is incredibly beautiful.
This is a great time to visit Zion and our other national parks. Let us help you schedule your trip.
- Dave Webb
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