Our first full day in Zion and we needed some fuel so we stopped at Cafe Soleil . I ordered the breakfast burrito and dirty soy chai latte ( chai latte with shot of espresso! ). Very filling and great.
Next we headed to Zion Outfitter to inquire about hiking the Narrows the following day. How much for gear rental, weather conditions etc. This place was recommended to us by our bartender the night before as having the best equipment for the Narrows. I don’t have anything to compare it to but I had a great experience with everyone who worked here. I highly suggest purchasing your crampons beforehand ( much cheaper!) but they also had the good crampons not just yak tracks.
Finally headed into the park, lines get longer the later it gets. Loved this ‘RL GOOD’ license plate! After stopping at the visitor center and getting information about trail closures etc… we decided to start hiking at Lower Emerald Pool Trail and see how we were feeling. We had NO.. I repeat NO intention of hiking to Angel’s Landing. The park ranger specified how dangerous it was and that if we were to fall there would be no rescue party – yowzaaaa so we decided we would just build our own hike and see where it would take us.

From Lower Emerald Pool Trail to The Grotto Trail and Kayenta Trail then finally towards Angel’s Landing Trail itself. Once we were there we decided to just see how far we could go.. we all had crampons and hiking poles which made ALL the difference. People were hiking without but I don’t know why you would.
MADE IT TO THE TOP! WOOHOO – Amazing feeling, can not begin to describe! Don’t think I would do it again but it was invigorating. I almost feel that in the winter it might be better… this is because with the crampon you really dig into the snow instead of just climbing on rock.
I would definelty reccomend Angel’s Landing in winter but you 100% should have crampons and hiking poles!
Someone even took the time to make a snowman!


Heading back down – on the way up this trail was full of people… now it is deserted.
SO many switchbacks! I don’t know how I would have survived this without my poles or crampons.. I will keep saying it.. they were lifesavers!!
Felling really amazing after this hike!
Spotted some wildlife!
Now headed to Zion Mountain Ranch… our home for the next two days! Time to relax.
Hi! I’m going to Zion soon and stumbled upon your blog. Thank you for all the helpful tips! I was wondering what month you went to Angels Landing? I’m planning on going next week and was wondering if should be expecting any extreme weather (any snow?). Thanks!
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Awesome! We were in Bryce/Zion end of December into January. I would prepare for snow but it might all be melted … looks like its getting pretty warm during the day. If you are planning on hiking all the way to Angel’s Landing I would buy crampons through amazon etc. because if you wait you might be paying around $30 more for them near the park. Having crampons was an amazing help on Angel’s Landing… plenty of people hiked in normal sneakers/boots but the extra traction made my friends and I feel very secure. It is so beautiful there! I hope you have any amazing time! Let me know if you have any more questions.
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