Angel's Landing

I fell in love with this hike on May 27, 2013. It was my very first hike, ever. To this day I do not know how my friends I was visiting persuaded me to take on this exhilarating hike. I was nervous. I was excited. And in the end; I was empowered. This hike helped this east coast girl fall even more in love with nature. It forever changed me and my life. (I moved to Utah a month later on a total whim!) Since then, I have done this hike at least a dozen times. It's not for the faint of heart. This hike is 5 miles with average hiking time of 5 hours. The first 2 miles are on a paved trail (West Rim Trail) that are switchbacks. The last half mile is across a narrow sandstone ridge. There are anchored support chains are attached along most sections. You go to the grotto picnic area in Zion Canyon to reach the trailhead. This is accessed via shuttle from about April-October (park at Zion Canyon Visitor Center) and private cars are allowed the rest of year. I have completed this hike in all seasons but spring and early fall are my favorite. You gain 1,488 feet in a long steady climb. After you complete all the switchbacks there is plenty of space to refuel and rest before you start the rest of the harrowing hike.