This was a Monday morning, Kyle and I really wanted to hike up to Angel's Landing but wasn't sure the kids would do very well with it, especially given all the complaining that happened the day before. So we woke up as early as we could (comfortably) and speed hiked our way up. We didn't run but we could def call it our workout for the day, we made it to the top in only 40 minutes. :-)
Maybe about halfway: stop for a photo.
Amazing
What I was most excited about was this area called Walter's Wiggles. Which is a set of 21 switchbacks taking you to the base of Angel's Landing. You have to have a permit to actually go out on angel's landing and we did not get this ahead of time cuz we weren't sure we were going to do it.
We got to the 'top' took a little minute to stop, most people were huffing and puffing and not looking good. We're both pretty fit so this didn't feel too difficult. The chipmunks were running around like crazy even hopping into people's backpacks trying to eat their snacks. They knew the drill and would pick up any morsel that fell. We even spotted a nicely cameflauged buck
The kids were in the RV alone so we didn't want to be gone long. Time to head back down. Took us longer going down probably because we weren't in such a rush as we had no clue how long this would take it was about a half hour shuttle ride just to get to the starting point.
The switchbacks were pretty cool. If only I could have flown my drown I would have an amazing photo of them. But drones aren't allowed in national parks, boo.
We made it back, kids were on their screens, hadn't really been up long and could care less that we left.
Some coffee to rest the legs.
We did a pre-lunch river dip to dry off. I also was able to step across the river 'outside of National Park territory' to fly my drone.
This one shows the valley of Zion well. We are at the camp base at the bottom of the photo and would ride the shuttle up into the valley. At the end of the shuttle route is the Narrows trail.
We had lunch, with the heat we were dry in seconds, Thomas and Mary made a little fort, it was so hot out.
After lunch we set off for our final Zion hike. We toyed around with renting the shoes and sticks to hike the narrows then just decided ya know what we'll just wear our tennis shoes (you DEF want closed toed shoes to hike the narrows, your in ankle (or knee or waist depending on how far you go) deep water and it's like walking on bowling balls) and we'll let them dry afterwards because it's so hot they'll dry in no time. And ya only live once. Off we go to the shuttle.
Shuttle ride views:
On the narrow's trail - well the mile trail that takes you to the start of the narrows. These hanging gardens were cool, gathering water that falls down the rock.
We made it, the kids were shocked to get their shoes wet but really enjoyed it.
I think the narrows go back almost 8 miles or more, it's an out and back so you can choose how far you want to go.
This is the point we decided to turn back, the water made it up to our waists. The river was pretty low for us, I have heard from other's that have visited Zion that the entrance to the narrows was already knee or almost waist deep, so it was great that we were able to go in a little over a mile with the water still being so low.
hiking back out. Then spent some time listening to the water.
Back to the RV for dinner with more visits from the deer.
And a final night of star gazing, didn't stay up as late but got to see the sky.
It has been an amazing trip but I think we were all ready for real beds, real toilets, and to be out of the RV.
