Hiking Angel's Landing at Zion National Park

Oh Las Vegas. It's good fun once, twice.. but to someone who's been there, done that, Zion National Park is a close enough drive to north to escape the madness of the Las Vegas scene. While I love (and also hate) Vegas for its over-the-top vibe and for its repertoire of impressive restaurants, I truthfully would rather not go. The diversions and stimulations of Sin City are decidedly endless, but somehow, there is just not enough of the right kind for me.

So we gunned for the National Parks within closest driving distance and we ended up at Zion National Park (and earlier, Bryce National Park).

At the recommendation of a local, we decided to hike Angels Landing that day. Zion has numerable religious references, it being once an early settlement of Mormons. Angels Landing was named such in the belief that it is a place so beautiful, it is the place for angels to gather.

It was told that the massive sandstone cliffs were formed by sand blown away by wind thousands and thousands of years ago. These cliffs would have had the volume of sand of an entire desert. The sand mixed with minerals that caused it to harden, and with iron, that caused it to turn red. I'm not a geologist, though, and I could refer you to one if you need more explicit information. :)

I could remember a time when I could barely run half a mile without sending in the ambulance. Its extraordinary moments like these that I am so grateful to be healthy and well. I never really was fit or athletic growing up, and to hike such extents (this hike is called "extreme" by many, taking some five hours to complete) without batting an eyelash is really an accomplishment. I advocate for living a healthy and active lifestyle and this is precisely why. The photos speak for themselves. I want to keep hiking to heights and exploring the world until I am very, very old. Being a voracious traveler, it is imperative that I stay healthy, and more importantly, I am able to say yes to experiences, rather than confront them with an attitude of "Oh no. I can't do that."

If you go:

• If you have a car, you will need to pay the park entrance of $25 per vehicle. If you are visiting Bryce in the same trip, it is almost worth it to get the National Parks annual pass for $80 which is valid for one year and will you give all access to all the national parks in America. We haven't been to Yellowstone or Denali and with this pass, we just make a go for it.

• If you are visiting for a day, you can save $25 per vehicle if you catch the free shuttle bus in Springdale, right outside the park. More information can be found here.

• If you are the less adventurous type, you can just ride the shuttle around the park. It stops at the major sights and the entire tour would take you about 80 minutes.

• I love my Merrell Gore-tex hiking boots, but when we hiked Angels Landing, we actually did them in running shoes that had great grip. I had on my all-around Asics Noosa Fast (which I also wear mountain biking and traveling - they are GREAT) and they did amazing. If it was raining or muddy, then it would be the hiking shoes for sure, but with thinner sole shoes, I felt I could move my feet and toes around more to grip the trail and rocks.

• If you are prone to vertigo or have never hiked in your life, I would prepare a few weeks in advance of this hike. I don't think the hike itself is very technical, but it does require a fair amount of stamina and endurance.

• Pack your wide angle lens if it is no trouble. It could be a hassle lugging that thing around up the cliff, but it is worth it. I made the rookie mistake of taking a fixed lens camera and although the pictures turned out great, I don't have the stunning panoramic pictures I wish I did.

#adventure #travel #hiking