On the road to Zion

Zion National Park was my favorite park of the trip. I did the two things the park is known for: Hike to Angel's Landing, and hike up the Virgin river to the "narrows" section. I met many cool people climbing Angle's Landing, including a couple from Belgium. I met them again in the afternoon near the narrows and they gave me a walking stick, which proved invaluable when hiking upstream. I don't have any pictures of the narrows because I only took some water and my car keys with me. There were sections of the river that were so deep I had to swim, and the hike was in the river.

The best part of Zion is the requirement that you get involved with nature. Climbing to Angel's Landing was climbing, with 1000'+ cliffs on either side and only a narrow landing to stand on at times. Lose your balance and it is 1200' of sandstone cliff straight to the valley. Hiking the narrows was literally forcing your way up a fast flowing river with no escape in the event of a flash flood. While I was hiking the narrows, I passed a guy who had just broken his leg and was being helped back downstream. There were warning signs of sudden 10'+ surges of water due to flash flooding. I spent four hours in the river and progressed only about 3 miles.

I found some antelope when I arrived around 6am.

They had no trouble finding footing on the rocks.

This is part of the trail to Angels Landing, look closely to see people hiking up.

1/2 way to the top.

Hard to see, but this is vertical.

Looking down from the trail.

Look closely, this is the trail to Angels Landing.

Resting at the top.

They wanted to share lunch.

Back at the trailhead, view of Angels Landing.