The trail starts out tame enough. We cross over the scenic river by bridge.
Follow the pathway along the river.
Some of the walkway is paved.
Random flowers along the way.
Not far along, the paved path starts to go up the mountain. They carved out the side of the cliff to put in this path. This must have been an incredible amount of work.
Not far up the trail, you can already see distant views.
This photo shows the view of the crazy twisting path. We were thankful to get out of the sun after a while.
Another view of the paved pathway up to the top.
Once you get to the first level section, you can look behind you and see a view. The first walkway leads up to a canyon.
Bridge in the canyon.
This is a view of the rock formations. This must have formed long ago when water was up this high carving around the rock.
View of people climbing up the next (and more difficult) section of trail.
The squirrels at the top of the mountain are so tame and used to people (and used to being fed) that they'll practically climb up right into your backpack if you aren't looking.
Once you get to the plateau, you can stop here and enjoy the view (like many people do) or you can continue on the ridiculously hard part of the trail.
This guy didn't seem to get the hint that he wasn't supposed to pose for the picture. Nonetheless, this sign warns of all the dangers of Angel's landing. We watched one guy get impatient waiting for the
Much of the trail is these fairly slick rocks. You have to climb by way of the metal chains most of the way.
This is actually a view of the trail. The trail climbs the spine of this rock tower.
Most of the photos of the trip are of me for a change. I don't know why, but husband decided he should hold the camera instead of me. I spent a large amount of time crawling on my hands and knees not to fall off a 1000 foot cliff. Him holding the camera was okay by me!
Don't look over the edge if you have vertigo!
This was one of those points where there was a drop on both sides of the trail. Thankfully they included a handrail to hold onto. They carved foot steps in the rock.
Another view of the trail with the view the whole way.
View from the trail.
Another view of the spine of the mountain.
Husband and the trail. (Apparently I got at least one chance to take a photo! Must have been pretty flat there.)
Trail goes that way.
Another view from the trail of the valley below. You could practically see the whole park from the trail.
View of my butt.
A rest spot along the way.
I think the trail is pretty steep at this point and you have to crawl up and down the trail on hands and knees.
Close to the end of the trail.
View from the end of the trail.
This chippie was at the top of the mountain at the end of the trail. He knew where the people would be. This chippie practically crawled into Frank's backpack.
Hard to even get a seat at the top of the trail. There were enough people at the top that it was hard to find a spot. And it's such work to get there, nobody wants to leave. Everybody hogged the best spots.
Frank feeding the hungry chippie who climbed into his lap.
Walking back down to the start of the trail. This is a view looking down on the switchbacks that are near the end of the paved trail. They are all built into the mountain. Sure beats climbing gear.
Walking back down to the start of the trail.
Along the way back, another hiker alerted us to an owl that was in a small nook in the rocks. He was too far away to get a good photo. We also saw a fox (or a coyote) that was carrying some sort of dinner (squirrel or rabbit). I only got a couple long-distance quick shots. He was walking in the canyon below the main trail.
