A Triumphant Therapy in Zions, Part 2 - Observation Point

I decided to stay an extra day before heading home and get one more hike in.  I wanted something else to test me, another 'strenuous' option.  I chose Obersavation Point, 8 miles round trip, over 6500ft at summit and 6+ hours for time according to the guide.  It was on the opposite side from angels landing and further up the road (both of which you must shuttle in during this time of year).

I started at the trailhead at 1035am.  The trail was immediately steep and within seconds i was already panting.  The steep slope finally relented into switchbacks but the intensity did not let up.  I did not know if I was going to be able to make it if it stayed this extreme.  The path was along the mountainside and was completely out in the open which was really messing with my head. I felt a lot more vulnerable than I did yesterday and i was so much closer to ground level.  I stopped at the first trail split and took a seat to evaluate.  I ate my banana, caught my breath and assessed my situation.

Can I really do this?!?!?!

While I sat there, i listened to an older couple having a conversation with a young man.  The couple headed to the right up to a viewpoint just a few switchbacks away.  The East Rim trail, which led to Observation Point, was to the right.  The guy stayed behind, seemingly in the same situation as I was.  I asked if he was heading to the point.  He said, yes that was the goal but he wasn't sure if he could do it.  We both had the same concerns about physical endurance, altitude vulnerability etc but really wanted to make it to summit.  I asked if he wanted to walk with me for a bit and he said sure.  We started walking, single file and hugging mountainside, chatting along the way.  We hit it off instantly.  Our conversation flowed easily and we had a lot in common and similar personalities.  We were instant friends.  His name was Dennis.

Before we knew it, nerves subsided and we were climbing at a steady pace.  The views along the way were just unbelievable.  We got more and more excited as we went because what was the view at summit going to look like, plus we'd have the accomplishment of being able to say "I did it!"  That 'hikers ego' can really kick in sometimes and get you motivated.

entering into the first canyon 

walking on dry river bed inside the canyon 

closeup of River.  

Path out of river continuing to summit.  River is below on the right.  

Almost to summit and we discover stonehenge in the distance.  We named it Zionghenge.  I want to know more!

Finally, we got to Observation Point.  Our time was 2:30.  Not bad at all!  it was quite busy up there.  About 30 people all taking pics and resting and having picnics.  A chorus of different languages and everyone friendly, meeting each other and helping takes pictures.  Outdoor people are always so friendly and happy.  it's all the vitamin D and endorphins and testosterone running through the veins from the strenuous activity.  i love it!  Here's pics from up at the summit:  

We made the descent in 2 hours flat.  So we did the round trip in 4:30, 8 miles, climbing elevation to 6500+ and hiking over 2000ft in gained altitude.

This was one of the best hikes of my life.  i am so glad i finished.  I am glad I met Dennis along the way.  We needed each other to get this done.  isn't it funny how paths cross like that in life?  This was a major win for me that day and in my life at the present moment.  I am so grateful that i can say, see that hike, to that summit?  Yeah i did that and I killed it!

October is my favorite! Fall photos

Hot off the press just hours ago!  Gosh I love fall!!!

Diva moment

A Triumphant Therapy in Zions, Part 1-Angels Landing

Last week, my job took me down south to Cedar City.  It had been months since I had worked that far south and so I was instantly excited at the possibility of hiking on a day off.  I love the red Rock in the Zions National park area.  It speaks to me.  Perhaps I was a Native American in another life.  At either rate, I cannot get enough of it .  Since I was working over a weekend, I decided that Sunday would be my spiritual day in nature.  I did some research for popular hikes in the park and quickly decided on Angels Landing:

(Don't throw up, mom)  So this is the final .5 mile of the trail.  The trail is 5 miles round trip, marked as strenuous, steep dropoffs and not for people with fear of heights.  This final stretch is braced with chains because you are pretty much walking up a flat side of mountainside, then across this path, which, yes, is a straight drop on both sides.  But the path is about as wide as a sidewalk so it's not like you are tight rope walking or anything.  I wasn't sure if I would do the final stretch.  I would want to meet up and go with others, not attempt it alone.

The guide stated the round trip as 5 hours.  I started at the trailhead at 12:35 pm and the trail was extremely busy.  Sundays, I am sure, are probably the busiest day in the park.  The path ran beside the river then started up and up and up.  Long and steep switchbacks.  It was sunny, the breeze was cool and although it was a workout, it was fairly doable and the vitamin D felt SO good.

Most of the trail had a curb on the drop off side but  I still hugged the mountain side as much as possible, especially until I adapted to the increasing altitude and nerves subsided.

The view at the end of the first set of switchbacks before heading into the canyon.

Selfie at the canyon mouth.

Walking through the canyon was cooler, mostly in the shade, straighter path and a more gradual ascent.  Kind of like giving you a break before the real work began.  the rock in there was just incredible.  Photos really don't do it justice.

Then the intense swtichbacks called the wiggles.  21 in total, sharp, short and somewhat torturous.

And then, you arrive....

 The final half mile.

View from the top.  So this is pic is at the base of the final half, the chained path.  Yes, I did attempt the chains with a couple I met from Denver (Go Broncos).  I had pulled my hip flexor going up and wasn't sure if I could handle the rigorous mountain scaling.  Plus it was really busy, traffic both ways on both sides of the chains and strong wind gusts.  I went partly up the chains and got shaky.  it was fairly easy going up, my concern was how I would be coming back down.  so I sat for a second then decided to go down.  I sat there at the base for an hour, taking in the view and talking with a woman from Vermont, a pediatrician who had hiked thus far in an ankle boot and was waiting for her hubby and kids to come back from the summit.  It was a great conversation and I went back and forth with the thought of attempting the final stretch.  But my whole leg was aching by then, people were coming in waves and the wind gusts were pretty intense.  In the end, I decided to come back another time, hopefully with someone that I could forever had that memory with, and do it then.  I changed back into my jacket and started my descent.

The guide posted the return hike at 5 hours.  I did my ascent in 59 minutes, descent in 50.  so less than 2 hours.  Go me!  ;)  I drove into St.George and gorged myself on all the carbs I wanted at Olive Garden.  A meal well earned.