Monday, May 2, 2011

.scout lookout and beyond.

After we hiked the 'wiggles' we reached scout lookout. Even if you don't go any further, this lookout spot was amazing. There is pretty much gorgeous views everywhere! This marks the end of the paved path and really starts the steep part of the trail.

Here's Josh at Scout Lookout. You can see Angels' Landing behind him. Its the huge fin that is straight up to the left.

This is the same spot, you can see the top a little better in this shot.

same spot again but more to the left.

and again, a little more to the left, this is Angel's Landing sloping down the canyon!

And so the fun begins. Remember what I said about the chains!
This for me was the scariest part of the hike. I did a little more reading about the trail once we got home. I discovered that this exact part of the trail is called the death spot. Yikes! Glad I didn't know that before hand.

I got these next two images off the web. But you can see this notch in the rock to my left in the picture above. Its scary because its the narrowest part of the trail with a 1000 ft. drop off to the right and a 1200 ft. drop off to the left! the picture above was taken with a pretty wide angle lens, so its distorted a little but gives you a great visual. The picture below of this spot in the trail is right in the middle.

Almost to the top!

Aw...we made it! Time for a rest and lunch.

These chipmunks were EVERYWHERE at the top! They have lots to eat with all the hikers stopping here to eat and enjoy the view!

And what a view!!! Here's the view from the top! You can see all the way down the canyon from here. From scout lookout you can't quite see around the mountain, but here you sure can! Beautiful.

Oh our way back down again! I'll admit, I spent most of the way down on my butt. I'm glad we left early as the trail was starting to get busy. It was no so fun coming down with everyone coming back up. I didn't like passing people on the chain. I discovered that my fear of heights is definitely child induced. Not having to worry about my kids made the day much more enjoyable! I still got worried when Josh would get to close to the edge and it really bugged me when people were bringing their young children along the trail. HELLO people!?!?! Seriously. I'd never take my kids on this...at least not till they are 16 or so.

It took us about 5 1/2 hours total including our lunch break at the top. I'm so glad we did it, bummer part was that I was pretty sore for a few days afterwards!

1 comments:

Team Beardshall said...

So fun, makes me want to go there on our way back home! Not with Katy of course. I'd be worrying my head off! Sounds like 16 would be a good age. So pretty, love all the pics!