IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS: Zion Canyon And Angels Landing

Visiting Zion National Park is comparably what it feels like to be inside the Grand Canyon. While the typical visitor to the Grand Canyon spends most of their time on the rim, the primary visitor areas in Zion National Park are in Zion Canyon.

Zion is a beautiful and marvelous National Park with a lot to offer. Two of the most popular hikes are The Narrows and Angels Landing. But these can both be challenging hikes and every year visitors perish on one hike or the other. So pay attention to notifications, primarily as they relate to inclement weather.

The Narrows tracks up the Virgin River (the river IS the trail) where the further you go, the more closed in the canyon becomes as the walls “narrow” in on you. As with a lot of hikes, the safe aspect of this hike is that you can progress as far as you’re comfortable, then turn around and go back. The danger here is flash flooding.

Most of Angels Landing is relatively easy and you can hike up to what’s called the “Chain Section”, call it a day and go back. The Chain Section is where it can get difficult and dangerous, particularly for those afraid of heights and/or not wearing the proper footwear. The times I’ve hiked Angels Landing I’ve seen a lot of people on the Chain Section that shouldn’t be there.

I’ve arrived at the beginning of the Chain Section and witnessed intense arguments between family members and/or hiking buddies along the lines of, “Come on, you can do it”. To which the trying-to-be-coerced family member and/or hiking buddy vehemently responds “No, no, are you crazy? There’s not a chance I’m going up there!” And variations thereof. I’ve also been on parts of the Chain Section and witnessed people in the fetal position agonizingly sobbing while family members and/or hiking buddies try to console them saying things like, “Okay, you were right, we don’t have to do this. We must have been crazy to even think of it!” To which the distressed family member and/or hiking buddy responds, “I hate you!” And variations thereof. The danger here is in not only falling, but family members and/or hiking buddies talking you into something you don’t want to do, or even worse, shouldn’t do.

Although personally I find the Chain Section of Angels Landing not difficult at all, it always garners my respect. Well, I guess most of the time. I did once traverse it in the freezing cold, while snowing, with the Chain Section covered in ice. And yes, I admit it. It was stupid! And what makes it worse is that I didn’t have any family members and/or hiking buddies trying their best to coerce me. I did it of my own free, stupid, will. I did have the top all to myself though ... wink, wink.

Title Origin: One of the best rim locations in Zion National Park is Observation Point. That is where this VAST Ultra High-Resolution Image was produced. It provides a great view of Zion Canyon and somewhat reminds me of Tunnel View in Yosemite. There’s too much to point out in the image in the way of landmarks, but first and foremost is that it's looking down on Angels Landing, where you are indeed, “In The Company Of Angels.”

The detail in this image is such that one can see hikers on the Chain Section, in the distance Zion Lodge, hikers on various other trails, and even some deer grazing along the roadside. Experience Zion in all its splendor, including the Chain Section of Angels Landing by purchasing this VAST Ultra High-resolution Image. Proper footwear not required.

Thanks ... and thanks again,

David David

Life Is An Adventure!