We’ve been to Zion a few time’s now. Once in the Winter, once in the spring, and our most recent trip, in October. As it turn’s out, October is the most popular time for hiking in the park. The weather is perfect. Having said this, it is CROWDED! The last two visit’s were off season and we had the luxury of driving into the canyon in our vehicle. This trip, we had to use the Shuttle service. Not a fan! If you don’t get in line by 7am, expect a parking nightmare, and over an hour wait and standing room, (actually squeezing room) only once on board. I imagine these crowd’s are as bad as the summer time as well. (Thank you social media for letting the entire world in on the beauty) okay rant over.
This was our check off the Bucket List trip to Hike The Narrows and Angel’s Landing. This is how it went.
We always fly into Vegas, and drive to the park. We flew in early to have a day of recon, and I am glad we did. We decided after assessing the crowd and transportation situation to rent our dry suit gear the day before to save time on hike day. We only had to rent pants, socks, shoe’s and walking sticks due to the weather conditions. It was a whopping $43. Worth every penny. In the summer, I would imagine you could do without the pants, but it can be a cold hike. The Virgin River is on average 55° and you’re in it 95% of the hike, sooooo, rent the dry suit. It’s roughly 10 miles round trip, for the “bottom up” hike. The Top down hike requires a permit. Pack in plenty of water (Camel Pack) and food, I don’t mean a granola bar, pack in FOOD! Cliff Bars, jerky, pb&j, etc. You will burn calories. And any special medication you may need. It will take a few hour’s to complete the hike. It. Is. Amazing! Bucket List check!
Day 2, we decided to tackle Angel’s Landing. Again, you need to get an early start, not just to beat the crowd’s, but if it is sunny, you will be subjected to unrelenting sun, with no shade to escape in as your lung’s are exploding from tackling the 1500ft gain that starts almost immediately! (Way before Walter’s Wiggles) personally I thought the front face of the hike was way tougher than “the wiggles.” Now let’s talk about the chain rail that gets you to the very top of Angel’s Landing…this is not for the faint of heart, inexperienced climber’s, or someone who has the slightest fear of hights! But the worst part is the amount of people trying to tackle this part of the hike fighting for one chain rail, hiking both up and down! I made it through the first section of climbing the chain, until I got to a section of no chain, and my brain went nope!!! I’m not up for plummiting 1500ft to my death today! I’ll just sit right here honey, have fun, and Godspeed! So my husband continued on, and I sat and made a new friend who thought the same thing I did. We had a high altitude picnic, while we waited for our determined daredevil husband’s! Thanks Jenn for hanging with me! This is a tough hike, but worth it, because the view’s are spectacular! I guess. That’s what my husband said! But I’m still going to call it a Bucket List check!
The real life adventures of a Creole Gypsy 