After a refreshingly warm night in our tent, we cooked breakfast, drove our bikes to the visitor centre and jumped on the Zion Shuttle heading into the Canyon. We figured Angels Landing would be way too crowded so we opted for the 8mile(12km) return hike up to Observation Point, the highest day hike in the canyon.
The trail was very well made, paved most of the way. Absolutely amazing scenery as it wound between steep vertical cliffs of varying red/brown and white hues. Somehow fairly tall pines manage to grow in cracks between the rocks.
The start of a slot canyon
The hike up
All the different layers of sandstone had been set in different directions by the wind; it looks like an artist had been in there and designed it. There was also a slot canyon we hiked by, which is a very thin, steep/deep canyon carved out by a smaller amount of water.
While enjoying the views of the canyon and the Virgin River far below us, tiny chipmunks emerged from the cliffs to scavenge scraps.
Photos don’t do it justice!
They were incredibly cute and hyperactive, coming right up to us if they thought we had something worth grabbing!
After hiking back down we had lunch at the lodge which was half way up the canyon.
Then a rest on the grass before our next hike, the famed Angels Landing hike, the most popular and thrill-seeker hike.
This one was shorter at 5m(8kms round trip) but a lot slower and sketchy near the top…It started out with steep switchbacks leading behind an outcropping, singular mountain on the bend of the river.
It then got interesting – It lead along a ridge with steep drop offs in sections of about 400m on either side, with a chain to hang on to as you have to scamper over and up the uneven sandstone rocks to get to the top.
A gentle section, hence pulling my phone out for a few pics
View into the Narrows
Less gentle section
The views were again incredible, the river wound around 3/4’s of the peak and we had a view both up and down the canyon, into the famed ‘Narrows’ the other most popular hike when it’s open.
After the hike down we were pretty beat so took the bus back to camp, were a little slow getting laundry done, then across the road for a burger and a well deserved pint!
–Zoe
Breath taking views. Must be tough to hike up there.. My heart is pumping only by the look of these pictures. Nice souvenirs for later boy.
Was wondering, what are you cooking in the morning for breakfast ? On what are you cooking ?
The trails are really good so it’s not hard hiking as such but you need a certain level of fitness… or time! Breakfast is either oatmeal with dried fruits or scrambled eggs depending on supplies. Cooking on a MSR stove (google it) it can use petrol same as cars so easy to get fuel
Cool !
In yesterday’s page I had to take out my “baci 2 both” before the software would allow my posting, strange, then it showed twice.
Another day filled with hikes and photographs, I hope you will hold this through till the end.
Must be reasonably exhausting, but worth it I guess.
I’ll try my daily Baci (and wait if Soft accepts)
So … Baci 2 both