Some friends and I were visiting Zion for the first time. We saw some videos on the various hikes you could go on, but as soon as we saw the one for Angel’s Landing, we said, “Let’s Go!”
As exciting as the hike up to the top was—holding onto chains on the path so that you didn’t fall thousands of feet below—the hike back down was a classic outdoor moment I’ll never forget.
We were at the top, just lounging around, when we heard some thunder. A couple of guys, said, “You’d better hightail it down right now or you’re going to get soaked!” Well, we didn’t take their warning to heart right away, but as the raindrops start to splash down we started our way back down the path.
Soon, we were walking in a torrential rainstorm that lasted maybe 10 minutes, and then it started clearing. However, all along the path, especially on the parts that were ledges carved into the mountain face, waterfalls had sprang up from nowhere and now were gushing right down on the path—we had no choice but to run right through them!
Remember when you were a kid and would go out in a rainstorm and just soak it up without caring how wet you got? Well, that’s how I felt, and it was a glorious feeling, losing all care and just bathing (literally) in the excitement of the moment. And in that moment I felt more alive than I had in years—laughing, running, whooping and hollering like a little kid.
But, the best was yet to come! At one point we rounded a bend and all of a sudden the whole Zion valley stretched out before us. The sun was sinking, creating a golden glow on the valley walls. The rain, now just a fine mist, was sparkling in the air, and on the all sides of the valley, scores of waterfalls were gushing out, looking like a giant had just stuck pins in the mountain sides and the water came pouring out!
Refreshed in body, spirit and heart we made our way back to the lodge, grateful for a moment of connection with the wild land where we had all danced like kids without a care!
Sincerely,
Zion National Park
Free-flowing rivers cut through multi-hued sedimentary rock to form Zion's deep and spectacular canyons. Park trails lead visitors to dramatic rock formations, hanging gardens, scenic vistas, ancient rock art and natural arches. People have lived in Zion’s landscape for at least 8,000 years, and the park's prehistoric art and artifacts tell the stories of the area’s previous inhabitants. The park also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife and large mammals, hardy desert plants like cholla and juniper, and rare and threatened birds like the peregrine falcon, California condor and Mexican spotted owl.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1909
“They give me a chance to be in the presence of the wild, where God is everywhere I look, and everything I see is of the natural beauty that Man knows deep in his and her Soul. You don't get that anywhere else!”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Zion National Park
This is from February 2015. It seemed like I waited a long time to get this pic. So worth it!
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now