Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in Springdale, Utah.  I had the pleasure of visiting this amazing park on May 17, 2010.  The reddish Navajo Sandstone immediately catches your eye the moment you enter into the park. The US Congress added Zion to the National Park list in 1919. With over 140,000 acres of land I got to experience a tiny portion of this sacred land. The Lower and Middle Emerald pools were the first hikes on our list.  We decided to wear our water shoes so when we got to the pools we could walk straight into them.  

The next hike to cross of our list was a little hike called Angels Landing. Here is the trail description on the parks website...Strenuous with steep drop-offs and narrow trail. Not for anyone fearful of heights. After viewing this gigantic rock standing at 5,785 feet I was a little hesitant but realized that I didn't come into this park to pass up the opportunity to hike one of the most beautiful chunks of rock I had ever seen. This 2.4 mile trail takes you up a series of switchbacks, 21 to be exact in just one spot called Walter's Wiggles. When you get past Walter's Wiggles a chain is your next life support. Not only are you gripping onto a chain nailed into a rock but with a quick glance to your right a thousand foot drop lingers at any moment. 

Cody made it to the top of Angel's landing, I had to stop at Observation Point after a failed attempt across a very narrow path with drop offs on both sides.  There was a moment when I was passing through this drop off where I literally froze up. I could feel the wind hitting my entire body and it felt as if the entire rock was about to tip over.  Cody was trying to talk me through it but I knew that this was one of those moments where I had to make this decision for myself.  I felt completly limp and in danger.  I quietly turned around and headed back to the point where I got to watch Cody make it all the way to the top.  

(The point where I had to turn around)

This was one of those hikes that I will never forget.  It was the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen in my life and the experiences I had in this park will last a lifetime.  After researching more about this hike I had found out that a month before we went on this hike a woman fell to her death from Angels Landing.  You can see the list of deaths on a couple websites where children as young as 14 have fallen due to this hike.  I like to consider myself a pretty experienced hiker but this was a moment where I am thankful I used my gut feelings and knew I was putting myself into a situation where I could seriously kill myself.  I know when I can handle something and when I can not.  Cody knew he could get to the top because he was confident in his climbing abilities, where I was not. 

  

(Cody at the top of Angels Landing, 5,785ft)

I hope to go back one day.  The Narrows are on my Bucket List.  Unfortunately we couldn't hike through the Narrows on our trip because the water levels were too high. If you ever have a chance to go to Zion please go.  It's an experience unlike anything else. You can feel how significantly small you really are and understand that this Earth is something to be far more appreciated.