Temperatures have been 60's and 70's - delightful, and while we had one rainy day, even that was nice for morning hiking: cool, cloudy, but no rain until afternoon. It's starting to get a bit cooler and leaves are falling; the chipmunks are working furiously to cache food for winter.
At the top of Angels Landing hike, they were downright annoying as they scurried at hikers feet while we rested and snacked after the anxious approach to the summit.
Angels Landing is paved cement sidewinding for 2 miles uphill. We were not impressed with that. But then you get to the last half mile and see what all the cautions are about. The trail continues to march up on a narrow rock precipice that juts out and up with thousand foot drops on both sides. It's a bit unnerving, but the park service has placed chains in the rock walls so y have something to hold onto. If you don't analyze it too much, nor look down too often, you can safely use the chains to reach the top. Fabulous views of the surrounding mountain faces and valleys far below await you. The day we arrived at the top, there were about 25 people there enjoying the views and a much deserved snack. The chipmunks know this, and while it's a treat to see them fearlessly scale the rocks, they have become very habituated to people and will invade your backpack if you're not careful! Another challenge on this trail is the fact that it's one- way and invariably with so many trekers on the path, at times you have to find a spot wide enough to let climbers pass which means someone doesn't have a chain to hold onto. It also means there are bottlenecks on the trail, but folks are polite and understanding. We certainly saw our share of anxious climbers - some who turned back before reaching the top. But what a treat it was to make the hike and safely come down! Terry, not as bothered by heights as I, took some video clips that I've managed to post on FB but can't get loaded to YouTube. When I'm able to do that, I'll post in a blog. Interestingly this trail is on the National Historical Regiistry. At this point I have to mention that we saw the Movie EVEREST last night, and our hikes compare to a walk in the park. So don't think we're too brave!
Another day, we hiked to Hidden Canyon which is a short 2.5 mile hike that takes you through breathtaking views to a slot canyon where you can scramble into a narrow "hidden canyon" - one that can become deadly when flash flooding threatens. We hiked in a day after it rained and there was very little water left; it was safe, but I was still conscious of our surroundings. The park service warns about slot canyons and how water upstream can come through them making a river rise 20 times its depth. This powerful force can sweep hikers off their feet. And there is a unique place here called the "Narrows" which we did NOT hike. For this trek you rent dry gear from an outfitter in town to hike 9.4 miles through water which can be waist and chest high, without a storm. Here the canyon is so narrow that if water upstream comes rushing through, there is no high ground, and about a month ago a party of 7 was swept downstream and drowned. We didn't feel the need to experience this strenuous and dangerous of a hike; I'm sure my mom is happy about that!