TRIP - DAY 28

What a day!! I got up early so I could catch the RV resort shuttle to Zion NP. It was a short shuttle ride to the park to hike Angel's Landing. Once we got to the park, I followed the people to the shuttle inside Zion. 

The switchbacks leading up the trail were developed in 1924 and are known as Walter’s Wiggles, named after Walter Ruesch, the first superintendent of Zion National Park.

On the shuttle, I got off on stop 7 Grotto. I saw two people I knew were going to Angel's Landing because I heard them talking. I followed them to the entrance to Angel's Landing. The Grotto entrance. 

The hike is pretty hard. First I walked through some rocks. 

Refridgerator Canyon .5 miles

Then began the switchbacks. They started out long and ended up short but very steep. There are 21 switchbacks. The shorter ones are called Walters Wiggles named after Walter Ruesch, the first superintendent of Zion National Park.

Once the switchbacks ended we were at Scout Lookout.

Then I went on the Hogsback Chain section. Yes, it is as hard as it looks. This was where we had to show our permit and ID to the ranger. 

This starts the dangerous portion which is why I had to have a permit to hike. They started permits because the hike became so popular and there were too many people on the trail. 

Everyone goes up the same way they come down. I was climbing over boulders and walking on sections that are 1.2-2 feet wide. There were many parts that have no walk or chain. This hike is the most dangerous in the USA and some say the world. 

There is a chain for some of the hike. It is helpful to pull yourself up. Some of the hardest parts are at the end. 

The final stopping point before you walk down is the Angel's Landing Summit. 

If you want to get the experience from your own sofa, watch this video. 

Https://youtu.be/YP5ma83xr9w?si=WT8MLU3j6rq_-tlT

Then we had to climb down. Coming down is in some ways easier because of gravity but it's also a bit slippery in places so you have to be very careful. 

All this to say, I missed the shuttle back to the RV campground. The people were nice enough to allow me to squeeze in to the van on the last shuttle pickup. 

Once I got back I rested for a little bit, then took a very hot shower, talked to friends and family members, made dinner, and relaxed. 

I'll have to wait to see how much I can walk tomorrow. My thighs are killing me. 

Until tomorrow...