Angels Landing, last stop before paradise. The name itself is as much a threat as a promise of a breathtaking view. And the least you can say is that it’s true on both accounts. But let’s back up a bit. After two days in the narrows and because we are people enjoying all the aspects of life, we went right away to the restaurant without even stopping for a shower. When the food arrive on the table, everyone fell silent for 5 good minutes which is unusual for such a large group ;) This basic need satisfied, we spent the rest of the day setting up camp (again!) and enjoying the park (and snapping tons of pictures).
Some wandering deer greeted us at the break of day the next day and it was back on the bus to get to Angel’s landing trail head. Choosing that hike was not easy; a few member of our groups have different level of vertigo. The first part is a trail hugging the cliff offering splendid views of the valley. Without any rush, we arrive safe and sound at Scout Lookout, 1st stop of the hike. The view from there is already impressive but it’s nothing compare to Angels Landing.
The second part is only for people who are not afraid of height. It’s not even hiking anymore but climbing with the help of chains attached to the rock. For about an hour we climb until we reach the grail. It’s better to take off early in the morning to do this because this hike is quite crowded and it’s very inconvenient when you have people going in the other direction. You feel very much alive when you finally arrive at the top. Up there you really feel like you’re sitting on the roof of Zion National Park with an unbelievable view of the valley. The welcoming committee is a bunch of chipmunk running all over the place (I suspect they take acid…) It’s a magical place and the efforts you have to make to get there make it even more special. You feel very small up there and the wind just adds to that feeling of exposure. The place is aptly named though, if an angel were to land amongst us, no one would find it odd; and it’s not because we’re all New Yorkers!
We record all these landscapes in our memories as well as on silicon and it’s already time to go. There’s limited space there and people keep on coming. The way back is not really easier. With the flow of tourist increasing, it’s sometime even more complicated. As the time passes, the tourists get less and less polite. Earlier in the morning, everyone was looking for the safest solution for all, now it’s like in the subway in New York; a stupid and dangerous free for all. We retrieve the ones we left a Scout Lookout and head down. The way down is gorgeous and it’s a very nice way to say goodbye to this magnificent park.
It has clearly been a difficult exercise for some of us but they made it. The reward was worth it I think. Special shoot out to Narjiss who was able to overcome her vertigo to make it to Scout Lookout… and back! Hopefully for us they don’t test people for doping up there because I’m pretty sure she was high on adrenaline :D congratulation to Bex too who did all of that with one valid arm. She was holding a small branch in the injured one to avoid using it without thinking. Thanks to all for taking the time and helping whenever necessary. The experience is even nicer when it is shared with friends.