Scout's Lookout

 

 

The End Point

For Some

For me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stepped left after the Wiggles and onto a little platform.  I was tired, thirsty and getting hot.  I saw a small sandstone wall, just at head height.  Wanting to see what was on the other side of the wall, I climbed up its slabby side, grabbed the top of the wall and pulled myself up like I was going to sit on it.  When my head peeked over the top, I saw that this wall was the edge of the platform we were on.  I was looking at 1,300 feet straight down.  Sheer, verticle, very dizzying.

I slid down the backside of the wall and sat there letting my heart and legs heart beating rhythms get back into syncopation.

Linda and I decided the next part was not going to be done with the son.  The path continued to Scout's Lookout, but it took a little jaunt on the side of the cliff to get there .  The path you see is about three to five feet wide along the edge of a 1,300 foot cliff...with chains bolted in the walls to hold onto. 

Now, being afraid of heights, I immediately felt the heart hammering through my sternum and shaking the chains I was clinging to.  I was seriously just flipped out during this.  I made it to the next ledge area which was Scout's Lookout.  This was it for me, I smiled, asked someone to take my picture, held onto the tree next to me less the wind toss me off the side of that cliff and get the hell out of there.

I went back to Linda just above Walter's Wiggles.  On the way back, I had the delightful experience of passing someone else on the chains.  It sucked.

 

Tanis was getting completely pissed off at a couple of chipmonks who were literally jumping onto his shoulder trying to get food out of his hand.   He had a handful of trailmix and they wanted their shares.

I hadn't ever really seen such villainous characters as these in the wild, but I will admit I was kind of giggling at their boldness.  As you can see by his stance looking at the chipmonk that he was ready to do battle.  Guard the gorp!

Linda went around to Scout's Lookout and shortly came back.  She didn't continue on either.  I think had we been able to do it together, it wouldn't have been as bad, but doing it alone, with the other and the kid waiting on the other side, it just didn't feel very good.  I think someone who wasn't afraid of heights would be able to do it with a little trepidition and those who walk on the wild side would think it a bit of a bore.  The picture below is the view up to Angel's Landing.  Scout's Lookout is on the knob to the right with the saddle and then left to the top platform.

Scout's Landing drops down into a saddle with the path decreasing in size to a width of three to five feet.  It is a straight drop of 1,300 - 1,500 feet straight off the path.  There are chains bolted into the ground at waist length that you can use to help guide yourself.  A set of stone steps about a fifth of a mile long lead you up three hundred feet to the top of Angel's Landing.  I would like to try it again some day.

On the way back, we found a little sandstone cave that Tanis crawled up into.  Boy knows photo ops when he sees 'em.

And Tanis & Dad Photo Op