Angels Landing at Zion

The Angels Landing Trail at Zion is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the national park system. The trail runs along a narrow rock fin with dizzying drop-offs on both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty summit, boasting magnificent views in every direction. It's a narrow ridge with deep chasms on each of its flanks. Hikers pull themselves up by chains the last half-mile of the trail. The towering monolith is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Southwest. It is a five mile hike with a 1,488 foot increase in altitude.

We got up early in the morning to beat the heat and reach the summit. It was quite the experience and not for anyone afraid of heights. Evidently a few people fall off and die each year. Fortunately, we didn't have any trouble, and the view at the top was definitely worth the hike.