Zion National Park and Angel’s Landing.

A couple of months ago, G found out that he would be attending a conference in Las Vegas. So, naturally, I began planning a way for us to make the most out of his paid way there and the long holiday weekend. Emily and Carolyn – the two friends I went to Yosemite with – had both recently gone to Zion and hiked Angel’s Landing. The way they talked about it convinced me it was something G and I had to do. As it turns out, hiking up a 1500 ft mountain in 106 degree heat may have been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But it was so worth it!

If you don’t know anything about Angel’s landing, it’s about a 5- mile hike that begins with an extremely steep hike up a winding path. About halfway through, you reach the first “summit”, from which you hike a narrow path. During this part of the trek, you have about 10 feet of ground on either side of you (sometimes less). On either side of you, there’s a 1,000+ foot drop-off. Much of this part of the trail features chains attached to the mountainside that you can use to help hoist yourself along. It’s not easy, but I recommend the experience highly!

Cliffrose Lodge.

One of my favorite things about our trip was this beautiful little lodge. Nestled among the colorful cliffs of Zion and literally steps away from the park’s entrance, it was not only beautiful but so convenient. Our room had a private balcony that overlooked the property’s beautiful ground and shimmering pool. When we woke in the morning and opened our balcony sliding door, the delicious aroma of bacon hit our nose as guests sat outside in the courtyard eating breakfast. It was the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate between long days of exploring and hiking!

Antelope Canyon.

After two days in Zion, G and I drove south about 2.5 miles to Page, AZ. Here, we visited Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Antelope Canyon is a narrow canyon that’s been carved out over thousands of years. The time of day determines what colors show up across the walls and the indentations of the rock create mesmerizing views. It was amazing.

Horseshoe Bend.

Finally, the last thing G and I did before we left Page was visit Horseshoe Bend. The hike down to the view was pretty short, but the intense heat of the day made it a lot harder than it should have been. Our reward, however, was pretty outstanding!