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Ben, Jay, Weihaw, and I hiked the West Rim Trail, from the Cabin
Spring camp 3 to the Grotto Picnic Area, at Zion National Park.
We stopped at Cabin Spring to fill up on water again. As we were
finishing up, another group of hikers joined us. They'd hiked down
from Potato Hollow -- but they were from Texas so they referred to it
as "Potato Holler". After wishing them a good trip, we were on our
way down, though we'd pass each other several times on the way down.
Taking a break on the way back
When we reached Scout's Lookout, we stopped for lunch. Chipmunks
darted around us, begging for food. We were running short on time,
since we had the East Rim Trail to do later, but I decided to take a
short trip out toward Angels Landing while the others were eating
and resting. I gave myself 20 minutes before I would turn around. I
thought I could make it...
Half Dome has nothing on Angels Landing for those of you with
even a mild fear of heights. Which includes me. Footing is
treacherous, and there's a chain bolted to the top for you to hang on
-- in some places. In others, you're on your own. After following the
"trail" to what I thought was the top, I was met with a horrifying
reality. I wasn't even halfway there. The peak I'd reached had been
hiding the real peak. I was instantly reminded of a recent Simpsons
episode in which Homer climbed Springfield's tallest peak -- no,
that's not it, it's the one three times taller to the right...no,
that's not it...it's the one three times taller to the right of that!
Angels Landing, as seen from the false summit
I think a lot of other hikers were also caught off-guard. I suspect
that many people see that second peak and then turn around, defeated.
I continued on a little longer, alternately walking and crawling on
all fours along a knife-edge of a ridge, with perhaps a thousand foot
drop on either side. Eventually my time ran out when I was only about
half-way up, and I had to turn around. Maybe someday I'll return to
go all the way up.
Ben heading down Walter's Wiggles
I returned to Scout's Lookout and we continued down Walter's
Wiggles and back to the Grotto Picnic Area as the day began to heat
up.
More switchbacks await us near the bottom!
Return to Zion/Bryce/Grand Canyon trip report.
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