Angels Landing, Subway and The Narrows



Lake Powell

We were leaving the harsh windswept desert area known as Lake Powell and along the way I was comfortable with my decision to leave hiking out to the Wave for another time....


Zion was tempting us with hikes called Angels Landing, the Narrows and the Subway. Angels Landing, where had I heard about that hike before....yes, I had read about it in a Yoga book when the author described her anxiety with heights and the fear of scrambling up cliffs with only chains to cling on to while staring down to the Canyon floor 1,500 feet below. Sounds like something we should do....




First set of Switchbacks

We made an early start at Angels Landing trail head, knowing the day was going to heat up into the 100's, and started hiking up the numerous switchbacks to the rock cut out and then it appeared the trail would end. Then turning the corner we entered into a narrow canyon that was shaded, treed and flat but not for long. Reaching the end we started to climb Walters Wiggles, another series of switchbacks, taking us up a steep climb to Scouts overlook.



Walters Wiggles

Looking down we got a great view of the Virgin River below and surrounding Canyon. We met another couple who had come back to film their ascent up the chains to Angels Landing. With camera mounted on his head they set off in front of us. I found I enjoyed this section the most. Walking over the narrow ledge and hanging onto chains to pull myself up the steep sandstone rocks made it all the more interesting and so different from any of our previous hikes. 

Navigating the climb

Crossing the narrow ridge

We got a great view from the top and sat for awhile to take it all in. Imagining the comment that sparked the  Superintendant at the time to construct Walters Wiggles, it certainly felt like a place where Angels would land.....at least before the crowds arrived. It turned out leaving early to miss the heat of the day also worked in our favour ...seeing the endless stream of people making there way up, as we made our way down.

Walking over the Narrow Ridge

Looking back to Angels Landing

With the Virgin River still flooding from the snow melt, the Narrows River hike through the narrow canyons was not yet open, so we opted to hike up to Observation Point the next day. With my fitness improving we made it up 2,000 feet in 2 hours and I wasn't out of breath...!!