Saturday, July 05, 2008

We're Marching to Zion

After Bryce, we visited Zion National Park. Carrie likened it to a red Yosemite. Andy found it in places to be "more gorgeous than Yosemite" because of all the reds and oranges, though Yosemite will always hold a pride-of-place in his heart. If you haven't been, you should definitely add Bryce and Zion to your "Bucket List."

The Wall Five at the end of the Canyon
Overlook Trail
-- we entered Zion through
the geologically gorgeous eastern entrance
















Angels Landing Hike
We had a memorable and terrifying hike up
to Angels Landing. The ridge pictured behind us
had a 1200 foot cliff on one side and a 900 foot
drop on the other. It was like climbing on the
back of a dragon.
















This warning was no joke! We agreed it
was more intense than Half Dome. Carrie
stayed back with Jessica and Michaela because
the trail was too severe. They even said a
prayer for Andy and Jenna as they went to the
trail's end.





















Jenna was grateful for the occasional chains
that offered some measure of "safety" during
the last half mile of the Angel's landing climb.
















Here's a look back on part of the "dragon's back"
we had to scale to reach the top of Angel's Landing.
















At places, the cliff was utterly sheer!
Here's a glimpse at a 1200 foot drop!





















Jenna Atop Angel's Landing
She admitted the main reason she kept going
was to be able to talk about it once she
(hopefully) got back! In some places, that's
called braggin' rights.
















At the tippy top!

3 comments:

martylchurch said...

i am so impressed!!!! there is no way i could have done that! i am terrified of heights. all of you guys are awesome. the scenery is absolutely beautiful!

Mike and Phyllis said...

Oh, how I wish we had been with you so that our boys could go with you, Uncle Andy. I cannot imagine doing this hike - sounds too scary!

Jessica said...

The cousins would have loved it- we kept thinking of them during the trip. Looking forward to Yosemite!!