It always is such a treat every spring when Chels and I head down to Utah to explore down that way. The drastic change in topography from here in Jackson is mind boggling! If we lived any closer than a full day's drive, we would surely be down there all the time and invested in a sweet RV! We have now been to all 5 of the Utah national parks including; Zion, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Arches. We also went to Escalante one year too. I think next spring a Grand Canyon trip might be in order. I have never been there and Chels went there once and her car broke down, so, we definitely need to experience it!
Chels under one of the "Emerald Pools" in Zion.
We braved the crowds, and went for the most popular hike in Zion, "Angels Landing". This shot above is of the lower section of the trail winding it's way up to the first landing.
View from the top of Angels Landing. This hike was awesome! Both Chels and I couldn't believe in this day and age of lawsuits that the National Park Service would still have a hike like this open to the public. Angels Landing had 1,000 foot falls on either side of the knife edge ridge with nothing but some sporadically placed chains to keep the sanity! Great to know that the threat of lawsuits hasn't taken the fun out of everything just yet.
The aforementioned knife edge ridge! You scrambled up the middle of this hogsback.
Here you can see this guy very gingerly walking up the side reaching out for the chain. In the background you can see the trail leading out from the first landing that many people choose to call it good from and don't continue on. Can't say as I really blame them!
Chels with nothing but 1,000ft of void below her
Scared look. Given that Chels has sky-dived and bungee jumped countless times, it was pretty telling how quiet she was walking out to the end of Angels.
One little link of chain with a massive drop below.
Pay attention!
Beauty everywhere.
You can see a few people walking in one of the wider sections of the last half mile of the hike out to the end of Angels.
Chels negotiating one of the many switchbacks that lead to the first landing.
Happy to be back on "flat" ground.
One night we drove out to the east entrance of the park and caught these bighorn sheep chillin on some rocks.
1 comment:
Southern Utah has a wide variety of attractions. Everything from hiking to snowboarding, make this state one of the best outdoor states in the country.
Brian Head Utah
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