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| Hiking | 4.61 Miles |
1,386 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.61 Miles | 3 Hrs 53 Mns | | 1.81 mph |
| 1,386 ft AEG | 1 Hour 20 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Posting 4-28-2025. Believe it or not... or not, I am way behind on trip reports from last year including most of my two week Camino trip in Spain. Since I'm going to HI to hook up with my 1st cousins 1x removed, I thought I would try and at least, finish off our days at Zion and Page. To refresh your memory, if you're following along  , Cousin Connie and I picked up her girls (Jenaya and Jaelyn) at Las Vegas airport and stayed in La Verkin. This was our first destination on our Zion zaga.
I had last done Angels Landing in Oct 2012 at age 56, and because I'm getting a tad older, I really didn't want to hold the girls back from their ascent of Angels Landing. I opted to get to Scouts Lookout, where we all have lunch, and then wait for them. It worked out fine, except the mountain shadow over where I was sitting kept it a bit nippy.
The hike went pretty well, the girls stopped a couple times when I would usually give them a little lesson about the geology. The hike certainly does have its steep parts but it's all paved, so I shant complain as much as normal  . I could have used those rubber tip poles, they would have been much more effective. I enjoyed the tafoni as usual and looking straight up a lot to see the mountain sides above me. Fall colors were limited as we ascended except for a couple trees; needless to say, their yellow-colored leaves really stood out. I did spot the horseshoe prints on one of the turns... these are from the late 20s.
Finally made it to Walter's Wiggles. They are as steep as I remember but what's great is that this time, I got to stop at the top as there was Scouts Lookout. I did run into some rangers and had asked them if the trail was always paved the whole way and they said yes. For some reason, I thot they had added paving. With the amount of usage, I guess it only makes sense. For the record, here is my 2012 trip [ photoset ] .
We had our lunch and then the girls headed up Angels Landing, so I had to entertain myself and what a great theatre I was in for that. So many times when we hike we don't get these kind of moments to breathe in our environment. I got to look all around me, up and down and sideways to see things I would probably not see. I considered myself lucky that day; well actually the whole trip because I got to be with my cousins.
I filmed the last bit of them coming down Angels Landing. They seemed in a good mood so I think they had a good time and it met their expectations. And now, for the down, where I would be able to keep up with them except when filming or being distracted by the geology and such. I would have to yell out at them to stop so I could get their pictures, and for the most part, they obliged... altho, I think like the rest of you, they get a little annoyed sometimes. We were lucky this day as the traffic was quite limited; I think due to our late start.
I gave them the tafoni lecture and included them in the tafoni. Pictures turned out cute. After coming out of Refrigerator Canyon and heading down, the Sumac trees had turned from the rust color earlier to a bright red in the filtered light, so that was a treat. The light for a lot of this hike was not the best. We made it down to the river and over to where Connie was waiting for us.
We had a snack and then drove back to La Verkin (the girls had rented a nice Vrbo) with a stop at River Rock Roasting Company for pizza. It's a quaint place and has heated outdoor seating. The food looked great, but didn't taste as good as it looked... which is surprising, considering how hungry we were.
I put together a couple videos of our drive and hike and drive. Also includes additional interpretive information per usual lately:
[ youtube video ]
[ youtube video ] |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
If you have a fear of heights, this trail will challenge you! Looking at Angel’s Landing in the distance, I had to ask myself how much I wanted it. I’ve found the best way to deal with heights is not to acknowledge them. Not easy when you have drop offs a few feet off the trail, but I did my best not to let my eyes wander. I’m sure I did a disservice to the panoramic views provided by the trail, but I knew my best chance for success was to minimize my awareness of my surroundings. I didn’t let myself look around until I made it to the top. What a view. What a feeling! 
Had the Landing all to myself. Took about 10 minutes to take it all in. As I was hiking down the incoming flow had started. Encountered about 30 people along the spine. Everyone was very considerate in passing. 
If it was wet or icy, I can see the need for the chains.
She said she had considered trying the last climb to Angel's Landing but her legs were tired enough to not be steady. And steady legs really are important on the last push.
