Road trip #3: Zion National Park (Angels Landing)

Zion - I didn't know exactly what to expect here, this was the place I've seen the least on images before and probably because of this it became the indisputable highlight of the trip. This park just blew our minds from the moment we entered the park not to mention the moment we drove out of the Mt. Carmel tunnel - it's something one need to experience. I'm pretty sure that over the years I'll be coming back to Zion because it's one of a kind.

Road into Zion

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @13mm f/8 1/400s ISO 200

And after driving through the Mt. Carmel tunnel

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @10mm f/8 1/200s ISO 100

The goal of the day was to hike the Angels Landing. After reading all the scary stories about how dangerous the hike is we opted not to stay there for sunset, so we got to the top a couple hours before.

Pentax 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM SMC DA* @60mm f/7.1 1/250s ISO 400

Pentax 60-250mm f/4 ED IF SDM SMC DA* @88mm f/6.3 1/400s ISO 400

Pentax HD Ltd. 20-40mm f/2.8-4.0 @20mm f/8 1/125s ISO 100

The path to the top lead across the ridge of the mountain before with some places only few feet wide with hundred feet drops on both sides

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @10mm f/8 1/60s ISO 200

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @10mm f/8 1/60s ISO 320

The Zion Canyon valley viewed from the trail to the top of Angels Landing

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @10mm f/8 1/250s ISO 200

The view from the top is hard to describe. Photographically I'd wish for some stormy clouds above but that would complicate the hike.

Pentax HD Ltd. 20-40mm f/2.8-4.0 @20mm f/8 1/60s ISO 100

On the way back I caught a glimpse of the valley before sun started to set.

Pentax HD Ltd. 20-40mm f/2.8-4.0 @20mm f/8 1/25s ISO 100

This is the first part of the trail - looks simple but it does test ones cardio capabilities.

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM @10mm f/8 1/50s ISO 200