Angels Landing, Zion National Park

Hike #7of100

Angels Landing has been a hike that I have heard about from friends and family. Last year when I visited Zion's it was clear I was not in any shape to haul my butt up that mountain...oh, that mountain. Actually if you read my very first blog you will read that it was my goal to "do Angels Landing" this year. Well, nothing like taking your goals head on. 

See that little mountain spike in the back--that's Angles Landing.
I'm actually NOT pointing to it!

Walter's Wiggles
A series of switchbacks leading up to the summit. 

One of the few flat areas of this hike. 

The view was spectacular

This photo was at about 8:30 in the morning. The wind was kind of brutal, so my handy little face protection was put to good use.













The drop offs were incredible. Chain links are positioned throughout this hike and I must say that I was very disappointed when the chains weren't there.

Oh Snap, that's high!

I was holding on tight! No way was I going off the side of that mountain. 

I'm trying to capture the depth of the drop off. 

Look mom, I made it. Whoo-hoo!

This photo doesn't even look real...
I promise I'm not Photoshop'd in :)

Wheeping Rock and Echo Canyon

Hike #5of100 Wheeping Rock and Echo Canyon

Wheeping Rock Trail

You have to love three day weekends that turn into four day weekends. I headed back down to southern Utah Martin Luther King holiday weekend, even though I had been there two weeks ago. My goal was to hike trails which I never had before. Because I drove down, I only had an afternoon to hike on Friday, Jan 16. I went to Wheeping Rock and Echo Canyon. I am not counting these as to separate hikes; however, they are two different trails. Wheeping Rock is short but STEEP! Wheeping Rock got my blood pumping very quickly; it is straight up the mountain with 10-15 switch backs. My calves were burning. After coming back down my we headed back up to Echo Canyon, the trail in the opposite direction. It was not as drastically up the mountain but a long series of switch backs.

Echo Canyon Trail

Echo Canyon

100 Hikes. What was I thinking?

After a hike one morning, I got a hair-brained idea to do 100 hikes in 2015. I think I was inspired by my latest trip to Zion and my morning hike to Guardsman Pass. I was laying down in my warm bed with a nice warm cup of tea next to me when I made this decision. I calculated that if I do one hike weekly and a few small weekend trips throughout the year I could probably get to 75 trails. BUT that just doesn't sound as sexy as 100 hikes in a year, so I up'd it. Call me crazy! I agree. 

Here's the deal, I truly am an amateur. Therefore, any advice I give you can take at face value. The gear I'll review or buy is all from a layman's perspective and I'm definitely not being paid or rewarded for it. 

Today is January 15, 2015 and here's the hikes I've done so far this year. 

Guardsman's Pass. I went there via Big Cottonwood Canyon. I think this hike was about 5 miles round trip. It was a clean, easy hike because we walked along the snow-packed road. The Kahtoola microspikes I had just purchased were awesome. My footing never slipped and I felt completely secure. However, I have a crappy back so my spine was sore that night because it did have to work as my footing adjusted itself. BUT, I did feel pretty bad-ass in the spikes. 

Guardsman Pass

On the way to Guardsman Pass Overlook. 

Zion National Park was amazing. The perfect quick getaway because it's accessible from Salt Lake City and you can find easy to moderate hikes; and obviously difficult ones like Angel's Landing. (My goal this year is to hike Angel's Landing.) I hiked the Overlook (by the tunnel) and The Grotto to Emerald Pools. The lower pools were closed so we had to go in and out the same way. I wanted to hike in via The Grotto to Kayenta to the Upper Pool and out by way of the lower pools but because of ice and snow the lower pool was closed. For information on the various hikes check out Utah.com or Zion National Park.  

I went January 2nd and 3rd. There was quite a bit of snow but it was packed down and hikeable. I did slip coming down of the Overlook but the rest of the trails were navigable, and when I was in the warm sun I did not even need a coat; however, as I got closer to the pools the hike was inset and shaded. It did get a little chilly. 

Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook

Zion National Park
The Grotto and Kayenta Trail

Zion National Park
The Grotto and Kayenta Trail

Emerald Pools

Bryce Canyon.
We visited Bryce for a few hours on our way home from #Zion's. I had never been and was awestruck but the grandeur of it. Incredibly beautiful. It would have been perfect for snowshoeing. We stopped by various overlooks and walked around. For my purposes this year, I'm calling it a hike. Want more information on #BryceCanyon, visit Utah.com or BryceCanyon.com

Bryce Canyon
Inspiration Point

Bryce Canyon
Aqua Point (I think)

Bryce Canyon
Natural Bridge