The angel has landed....and off she goes back to Bakersfield :)

Angels Landing is one of the famous trails in Zion National Park, UT. Besides the Narrows and the Subway, it is that one hike that people will ask if you did it while you're in Zion. It is 2.5 miles long one-way with approximately 1500 ft of elevation gain to reach its top at 5790 ft. The last 0.5 miles of the trail is built along a ridge with chains as guard rail and something to hold on to as you trail along. Depending on the weather, time of day and crowd factor, it takes from 3 to 5 hours to hike up and back. I spent almost an hour at the top taking in the view and dreading the hike down, especially going through the chain section of the trails.

If this hike is on your bucket list, then I say go for it! It is definitely doable. Here are some of my tips and advices before you take off and soar!

Hike light. I went on the trail with my 2 liter CamelBak Dart. It was small enough that I barely felt its presence on my back. Definitely help me with my balance when I go through the chain section of the trail. I also didn't carry my hiking poles with me. The first 2 miles of the hike was on a well kept paved trail and I didn't see myself needing the poles on the chain section (since I needed to have both hands handy to grab on the chains like my life depends on it! well, it did)
Timing. If you time it well and catch the first shuttle bus there at 7AM, you can escape the hassle of the crowd until you're on your way down. I went in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, the trail was busy but wasn't overly crowded in my opinion. I did, however, spend plenty of times waiting on other hikers to pass through the chain section while I was going on both directions.
Take your time. As much as you need to, especially throughout the last 0.5 miles of the trail. Not to be overly dramatic, but the chain part of the trail can be deadly if you slipped and fall off the cliff. Someone did die the day before I hiked it. So please take your time going up and down the trail. Don't rush yourself or other hikers through this section. Please be courteous!
Safety. 3-point contact is important when you go through the chain section of the Angels Landing trail. I don't have fear of heights but I am notorious for tripping over flat surfaces (and fear of free fall - darn you gravity!). Keeping 3-point contact on the chains helped me mentally and physically while going up and down the trail. Needless to say, I also utilized the "scoot and boot(ay)" method to get down some of the steep sections of the trail to overcome my fear of falling. Patience and unwillingness to die got me all the way down!
Keep an open mind. Challenge yourself and go beyond your comfort zone! Safely, of course :)

IMHO: this hike took a lot of courage on my end when going downhill through the chain section. I was over it the moment I had to turn around and hike down. I remember cursing and praying a lot on my way down. Given the same condition on the timing and crowd factor, I wouldn't do it again. I'd consider going back earlier in the morning (preferably when shuttle season is not in place) and on weekdays if I could. It'd be nice to get some solitude once you reach the top, and going at your pace through the chain section without having to wait on others to pass. And no, I don't see myself hiking this trail with any ounce of snow present. I also wish I brought my climbing shoes lol! Probably would've helped with my self confidence when going down the chain section.