Angels Landing is one of those bucket list hikes.  It is a precarious narrow-ledge, chain-aided, spur trail off West Rim high above the valley floor atop immense vertical cliffs.  It requires a permit – we don’t have one AND it seems just too un-nerving.  We do the sane thing and stick with the West Rim to Scout Lookout.

This morning, West Rim Trail.  Since we are camping on the east side of the park, we go through the mile long tunnel and down the spectacular entrance switchbacks from the high lands into the canyon.  It is a beautiful ride.  We head for the Visitor Center at 7AM.  An 8 o’clock arrival makes parking a breeze and gets us on a shuttle and to the trailhead before 9.   It is perfect timing for avoiding crowds everywhere and making our way up cliff faces in the shade!  We even start out in jackets.

The trail starts with steep switchbacks, has a cool, quiet middle section though Refrigerator canyon, then resumes with even steeper switchbacks.  They name the top set of the steepest ones Walter’s Wiggles.  At 2 ½ miles up with a 1000 ft elevation change it is plenty challenging.   The trail is carved into cliff faces much of the time with dramatic drop offs and sweeping views of Zion Valley and surrounding cliffs.

Condors soar above us; sometimes roosting nearly at our same height.  We can even see one’s wing tag, J3.  He is the proud papa of two wild born Condors in the canyon and the same fellow we saw on the nesting ledge days ago.

Back on the ground we stop for lunch at the lodge then head on home to relax.  Tomorrow is another day in Zion.