This morning we got up at 5:45 so we could get on the Zion National Park Shuttle and ride to the drop-off  point for the Angel’s Landing Trail.  This trail starts at the Grotto Trailhead, stop # 6 on the park shuttle.  It’s 5 miles roundtrip with an elevation change of 1,488 feet. Switchbacks allow the trail to climb the canyon wall up to Refrigerator Canyon.  The trail then climbs a series of switchbacks called Walter’s Wiggles—21 of these in total.  The Wiggles get you to the top of the ridge at Scout Lookout where the views are amazing.  For the final 1/2 mile the trail is very steep with chains bolted into the rock to hold onto.

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Switchbacks climbing up to Refrigerator Canyon

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Look carefully to see the people hiking up.

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These 21 switchbacks are called Walter’s Wiggles.  Look how many are above me!

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This is the first “mountain" past Scout’s Landing.  My journey ended about halfway up this.

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Almost to my final resting spot.

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I made it this far.

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…and here is where my nerves had me stop.  Too scared of heights to go any further!

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Tom kept going!

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Tom’s final stopping point before that last scary—drop-offs on both sides—ascent.

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Here he is  in the green shirt coming back down.

IMG 7282and here I am going back down!

 

It was an amazing hike and I am so glad we at least attempted it.  The views were magnificent and it feels great to have hiked 4.4 miles (and Tom’s 4.86)!