Day 13 (Sun May 22, 2011): Zion National Park

A proprietary truck stop motel that was converted into a Days Inn. I had reserved my spot around December of 2010 or so, and between the time I reserved and the time that I got there it changed to a Days Inn. I was worried that my reservation would not have been held, etc., but when I got there everything was fine. They honored the reservation (and I didn't even have to ask...it was transparent).

I mention that I felt fairly safe at the truck stop due to the constant trucker traffic.

At the end, I analyze (and play with) the unique toilet-flushing mechanism.

A little recon nearby the Days Inn. Notice that there is a piece of hair/dust on the video, U-shaped, about halfway down and 1/3 from the left. It's actually on the sensor! Not sure how it got there, but I spent an hour or so while driving to Zion essentially banging the camera around trying to get the piece loose from the sensor! (I couldn't abide that piece of dust being on the rest of the videos.) I succeeded. So much for a high-tech piece of equipment! It can take some abuse.

Okay, so I doubled back to Zion and skipped a day at Bryce Canyon in order to be able to hike Angel's Landing. All in all, it was very well worth it. It's a 5 mile hike.

Right here, I'm ascending the West Rim Trail to get to Refrigerator Canyon. Notice the ascent necessary even to get to this point!

I didn't film much on the way up, and here I'm at Scout's Lookout. This is the "chicken-out" point, after which you start using the chains and it gets much more precarious. How you could do this hike in the rain, or if it was slick at all, I can't imagine. Notice the warning sign I make sure to film (so as to add to the accomplishment in my mind).

I was under the impression that the end of the Angel's Landing hike was not much further than what I'm filming. Not the case. It's another 1/2 mile, and that's a LONG 1/2 mile when you're hiking along the spine of a mountain hanging onto chains.

Panorama of the summit of Angel's Landing, zooming in on the spine of the mountain around 0:20 and zoom on Scout's Landing around 0:35. It's unnerving (but exhilarating in a sense) to realize that you're mere steps from your demise if you're not careful.

Shuttle bus down the Zion Canyon road around 1:12.

Various zooming and filming.

This video really illustrates the "spine of the mountain" concept really well. It's pretty narrow on Angel's Landing. One wrong move and you're toast. There have been multiple fatalities over the years (maybe 1 every 4-5 years). One thing is for certain: I wouldn't bring young children (non-teenagers) or older folks up here. Too much risk. And, if it's raining, wet, or snowy, don't even try.

Sorry for the heavy breathing...I'm just out of shape. Don't I deserve even more credit for accomplishing such hikes while being out of shape?!

This is the "end" of Angel's Landing...meaning as far as you can walk without falling off. I try to capture a 360 degree view of what is seen at the top. Notice lots of people relaxing and standing around.

Video of Zion Canyon, with a zoom-in on the Zion Lodge. Not a bad place to eat. They have an open-air outside seating place that you can't see because it's obstructed by trees.

A short video of Zion Canyon and surrounding canyon walls.

Walking back along the spine of Angel's Landing to begin the hike down. Near the end of the video, I reach the chains to start the hike down.

These eleven videos outline some sights coming down from Angel's Landing. This first one is of the first set of chains. 0:29 shows a good grip.

More of negotiating the chains.

Beautiful view of part of Zion Canyon. You can see the big bend of the Virgin River.

Long way down to the Big Bend shuttle stop. Watch your step...

Always be prepared for slow hikers. It's essentially single file and one lane. Leave plenty of time.

Hiking.

Short video of the mountain spine and people hiking up to Angel's Landing.

Zion Canyon near Big Bend shuttle stop.

More hiking.

Near Scout's Lookout, these chains are especially difficult to negotiate. Hug the trail (or lack thereof)!

Very close to Scout's Lookout.

On the way down, located after Scout's Lookout. A view of the Wiggles from the top. That'd be a really steep climb were it not for the switchbacks.

Short video, taken around a 1/3 of the way down the Wiggles.

Nearer to the bottom, you get a view of what it's like to actually hike the Wiggles. Boots worked great but you can hear them clomping.