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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1602 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 07:37 AM
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We went on a roadtrip at the end of March down to Utah and back. Our first hiking stop (after sightseeing stops at Death Valley and Las Vegas) was Zion National Park. the main hike we did was Angels Landing, with some additional exploration down part of the West Rim Trail.
Due to the exposure, this was one of the most exhilarating hikes I have done. I wouldn't call it a scramble; I'd just call it a hike with chains to hold onto and a lot of exposure if you slip. I certainly wouldn't want to be up there in stormy weather, icy conditions or with a very crowded trail. Patience is valuable because many sections are safest and most practical with only one person on a chain at a time.
Here is one person's opinion on the danger:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/08/angels-landing-dangers.html
Of course, any accident needs to be put into the context of the large numbers of people that do the trail. I don't agree that it should be permit-only but you definitely need to use common sense and assess the conditions when choosing to go forward.
The first part of the West Rim Trail to around Scout Lookout (2 miles) is a very safe and well maintained (basically paved) section that provides amazing scenery and great views. From there, you can proceed to the right for an additional half-mile, making extensive use of chains as hand-holds to summit Angels Landing. I left my backpack and camera half-way up the chains part so I don't have any good chains or summit pics. On the day we went, there was a light layer of wet snow near the top that had been trampled down by many people ahead of us to form a melted trailway.
Some pics from the trail:
     
From the Scout Lookout area you can also turn left and proceed further down West Rim Trail. I highly recommend doing this if you are up there. It's a long trail (25.8 miles round trip to Lava Point from the parking lot,) so you'll need to turn around part-way if you aren't doing an overnighter.
Some pics from the West Rim Trail past Scout Lookout:
        
Some other pics from the park:
       
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Edited by - Steventy on 04/06/2011 07:44 AM
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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5368 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 09:48 AM
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I was in the area almost 3 years ago now, in an entirely different life. We never got to Angel's landing because of the ice, the time and the fact I was 6 months pregnant. Would like to return one day! It's such a beautiful area.
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521 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 11:09 AM
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quote:
I certainly wouldn't want to be up there in stormy weather, icy conditions or with a very crowded trail.
I was up there a few years ago in early May. No snow or ice then, but I found that a thin layer of sand on the rock can also be potentially slippery! The exposure in one section of the trail (on both sides) is quite exhilarating and likely intimidating for some hikers.
Here's another recent TR posted in SP and done in February!
http://www.summitpost.org/last-minute-on-angels-landing/707135
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
309 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 12:35 PM
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| nice photos! I remember Angel's Landing as having spots where I really needed to focus. I was surprised at the number of people who tackled it. Thanks for the TR! |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7093 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 2:16 PM
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| Nice one! Great shots too, sounds like a fun adventure, the place sure looks awesome, even at night. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 2:26 PM
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aaahhh...there it is.........home....
I love Zion. Listening to Ke$ha and looking at these great pictures. Like Exscape said, winter and spring can find ice and snow in Zion. Zion is really pretty in winter.
the running waterfalls that you captured will all stop dry pretty soon. Only in a downpour will they come back. Angel's Landing is pretty cool. I really like it. But, I find it stressful. Too many people in a potentially dangerous situation. Having to help people and seeing others try and force others to continue beyond their comfort zone is not a good time for a local. I won't go up there anymore. Been up there a few times and have felt the need to step in and help others along the way. It's my nature to commit and not ignore people in dire straits. In this day and age of self centeredness and self sufficiency, it is out of place.
I guess I'm just old school. Even now, remembering my interventions on the trail to loosen
people's grip on the chains and have them stand back up and hold on to me, even digging their fingernails into my flesh, I consider it a bad scene. I hike up there with a pack full of apples and hand them out to everyone who wants one on Angel's Landing. One time a valley girl
said ummmmm no thanks I'm alergic to carbs....and apples are way carby..... OMG!!
Hiked up and passed by a group of guys who just came from a pride march in Vegas. they were making out all over the rocks at the top. I am a liberal. But, it seemed a bit show offish
as if hey look at us!! OMG again. Bad scene and memories of being up there.
Anyway, not to take away from your experience. Sorry....Zion is amazing.
did you drive up through the tunnel? I have an interactive tunnel song I sing every time I get into a tunnel with my ol truck.
Your pictures are great!!
My all time favorite place in the whole Zion Park is the Subway. So cool......
thanks for the great pictures and TR.
I truly believe like all things where people are hurt doing, there will be a form you will have to sign, get a permit, select a trail leader, watch an instructional video,
and leave in your groups in incraments of 20 minute departures. they could use a ranger full time up there, too.
I have a SAR friend who hiked all the way up there in ice and snow to acclimate himself to crampons for the first time ever. Imagine never having used them and walking all the way up there on them? He's a Zion rescuer, exclusively.
I may go back to Zion someday, in a few years. Been there too much, too often.
Still, nice to hear about folks visiting it and enjoying themselves. Even on the most crowded days, you can find solitude pretty quickly. You don't have to stay on trail, either.
cheers! jerry |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2659 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 4:58 PM
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Great pictures - I can almost smell the tumbleweeds.
About this time last year we were putting the finishing touches on packing for a similar road trip. Due to timing we couldn't stop much in Zion, except for a brief leg stretcher. I have no regrets as we got to quite a few off the beaten path places, but I do want to try this Angel's Landing hike some time.
(Link to report from that portion of the trip: http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35272 ) |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 5:23 PM
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| My favourite little scramble, if it's ok to call a 1/2 mile scramble little, hehe. Makes me want to go back there! |
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North Vancouver
Canada
745 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 6:33 PM
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Thanks for posting the awesome photos Steve. My son and I are heading to Zion for the first time the first week of May. Your photos have got me looking forward to our trip!
I was thinking of a multi day trip from Kolob Canyons, Hop Valley, Wildcat canyon then the west rim trail to Zion canyon. For anyone that's been thru these areas, I would be interested in your comments on this trip. |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 7:19 PM
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Hi, Sam! Come on back down. Once I heal up my back, I can take Sam & Co. to a place in the Kolob in Zion that is my all time favorite overlook. Also, some old native sites.
Then, Valley of fire in Nevada. But, ya gotta take the heat of the desert day.
You will earn the desert rat merit badge he he....
NS, are you starting in the Upper Kolob area of the park at the interstate 15 entrance and taking the trail to the world's largest arch? Kolob arch? then spending the night there and hiking on through Hop Valley and onto Wildcat and the west rim to Main Zion Canyon down through
Telephone canyon? If so, I have been in hop valley and that is the most heavily rattlesnake encounter area that I have encountered. Shouldn't be a problem in May,though. A solid trail.
They won't come out and bother you. However, if it hits a solid ninety degrees for the day,
Please get off the trail and set up camp before dusk. don't push yourself. At dusk, the snakes come out in full force. The locals call em red rattlers. Not typically aggressive.
I truly think in May you will not encounter much activity at that elevation. Just keep a somewhat wary lookout and don't trail run. I did run and that is when I surprised a snake before it could get off the path naturally. Stopped to rest once in hop valley and looked down and about two feet from my pole, a snake was stretched out and it slowly moved. Not aggressive.
they are Great Basin rattlers. Not to worry. don't let it freak you out. have a wonderful hike. Just keep a watchful eye.. Most won't rattle.
Steve, next time if you want to get together for a hike just let me know. Be glad to show you around or take you all to dinner in Springdale. Always nice to meet CTers.
cheers!
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5464 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2011 : 02:57 AM
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Nice pictures! I love that place. Interesting link about the one person's opinion on the dangers. Not sure what she wanted...a staircase with guard rails all the way to the top? And there are already plenty of signs. You decide if you are comfortable going up there, or not.
I am very afraid of heights. It challenged me greatly to walk across that narrow bit the width of a sidewalk with the 1000 foot drop on either side and no chains. (Maybe it was a bit wider than a sidewalk). In fact, there were many freaky spots WITH chains. But I loved that trail enough to go back three times (in 1995, 2001, and 2010). I found that it wasn't really difficult but you do have to pay attention to your step.
Here's my trip report from last year; I did bring my camera up to the top:
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34860 |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1697 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2011 : 10:53 PM
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RM, you kill me! I agree, Zion would be a great place to be right now!
Angels landing does tend to be like a damp mint to lint. What the other hikers would do concerned me far more that the trail. Similar views can be had with a safer approach from the nearby Observation point but Angels is still well worth doing as it is such a classic.
Great shots of the Wiggles. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1602 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2011 : 12:18 AM
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Thanks all.
RM: I hadn't heard about the Subway. Looks like we now have a good excuse to go back and we might have to take you up on your offer.
We drove out of the park through the tunnel. That was neat as well.
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2011 : 12:01 PM
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ok, time for the song.....
once inside, open all the windows and sing along to this song. When the music beat
goes bump! bump! blow your horn in those two solid beats throughout the song.
I think I freaked out Tracy and Lana. Oh, well. I will never grow up.
I crack myself up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rik7xV7Tj4&feature=fvst
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5464 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2011 : 7:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
ok, time for the song.....
once inside, open all the windows and sing along to this song. When the music beat
goes bump! bump! blow your horn in those two solid beats throughout the song.
I think I freaked out Tracy and Lana. Oh, well. I will never grow up.
I crack myself up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rik7xV7Tj4&feature=fvst
Hahahaha!! I was more worried that the car in front of us would think we were road raging.
An outing with Rented Mule is never boring, I assure you. |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4641 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2011 : 11:07 PM
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Great TR! I was there in August. The road up through the tunnel and beyond was under construction when I drove it...no place to pull out with all the traffic that formed as a result.  |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
18 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2011 : 6:44 PM
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We went there a couple of years ago. I was really excited about going all the way to the summit, but my wife was a little reluctant. I was saved temporarily when we met a couple coming down, who told us that they were there the previous year and didn't go all the way - and regretted it all winter so they had to make the trip back just to do this hike. So on we went.
A little farther on the trail got a little hairier - you need to hold on to a chain to climb one steep and exposed section, and somebody - I'm not gonna say who - said enough is enough! We looked up just as an elderly lady lost her footing at the top of the chain, and it seemed she would plummet to a certain death - but she reached out to grab the chain and waltzed down and came straight to us and stated "it it wasn't for the fear, dearie - it would just be another hike"!
Guess what - we went all the way - no stopping now! And there was a California Condor posing up top! Too cool! |
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Angels Landing - Zion National Park - Utah
