Angels Landing - Zion National Park - Pre-dawn hike for sunrise at the top.

The hike to the summit of Angels Landing is an incredible experience. Getting to do it at sunrise before the crowds start to show up is something really special. With the popularity of Zion National Park increasing every year, a shuttle service has been implemented with Zion Canyon Road closed to personal vehicles 24 hours a day. Outside of normal shuttle hours, the only way to access the Park is by foot or bike. With the first bus leaving the visitor center at 7am, I hopped on my bike and headed up the road early in order to try to get near the summit for sunrise. Starting the trail in the pitch dark, I ascended the first mile under the stars. Exiting the additional darkness of Refrigerator Canyon at dawn, I ascended Walter's Wiggles, a series of 21 tight switchbacks, up to incredible morning views from Scout Lookout. The last half mile, along a narrow ridge up to the summit has always been one of my favorite sections of trail anywhere in the world. Using a 360 degree GoPro Max camera, I attempted to capture the sense of exposure present on this incredible trail carved straight out of the rock.

Getting to the summit early in the morning also allowed me to witness the majestic California Condor riding air currents around the canyon. With a nine-and-a-half foot wingspan, the endangered California Condor are the largest land bird in North America. They were also once on the edge of extinction before all 22 individuals were captured in the 1980's in order to be bred in captivity. There are now roughly 400 with nearly half living free in the wild once again.

00:00 Angels Landing Hike at Sunrise
04:35 The Chains Section of Angels Landing
09:35 Sunrise on Angels Landing - Final Ascent
13:00 Summit of Angels Landing and California Condors

Angels Landing - Zion National Park
2.5 miles (5.0 miles round trip)
1,500 vertical feet

Video by Patrick Cullis
www.PatrickCullis.com

Cameras:
GoPro Max w/ 270Pro Selfie Stick and custom Max leveler modification. (360 footage)
GoPro Hero9 w/ Max Lens Mod on chesty harness. (POV footage)
iPhone 13 Pro - Additional low light video.

Licensed Music: Meditation Aquatic by Erik Häusler (Epidemic Sound)

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