THREE DETECTIVES IN ZION
ANGELS LANDING INVESTIGATION
A shuttle bus at Zion National Park stops at The Grotto. The driver says, "Make sure you use restrooms and refill water here before your hike."
Bus doors open, and Jack, Gloria and Valerie step off the bus and put on their daypacks.
Valerie says, "I'm sad we didn't win the lottery and get our permits to hike to the top of Angel Landing."
Jack replies, "We still can hike to Scout Lookout without permits and see great views of Zion National Park. Let's pray for God's protection before we go."
After, they walk across a bridge. Valerie asks, "What is the name of this creek?'
Gloria replies, "It's the Virgin River. Maybe after our hike we can float down the river on tubes, outside of the park."
Valerie stops at the trail junction, asking, "Right or Left? How many miles?"
Jack explains, "1.8 miles to Scout Lookout. There's a restroom and no water."
Three women overhearing Jack, stop to talk. Skye asks Jack, "Do you know the total mileage and elevation to hike to the top of Angels Landing."
Jack replies, "You're looking at 4 1/2 miles total, 1,540' elevation gain and 4 hours of hiking. I've been up there 3 times."
Gloria adds, "I'm Gloria, these are my friends Jack and Valerie."
Skye replies, "I'm Skye from Boston, Kalea is from Maui, and Caroline is from Georgia. We are content creators and social media influencers meeting together for the first time."
Caroline adds, "We are here to hike the Five Most Dangerous Trails out West, to conquer fear!"
Valerie holds her cell phone shooting video of the conversion, asking, "What are the big 5?"
Kalea smiles, "Angels Landing, Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon, Buckskin Gulch in Paria Wilderness, The Maze in Canyonlands, and The Half Dome in Yosemite."
The conversations continue as they walk up the West Rim Trail. Going up the switchback section, Kalea asks Jack, "What's with the silly hat?"
Jack smiles, "We are the Three Detectives interviewing and asking hikers on the trail today, "What is Your Greatest Fear?" Gloria is our note taker, and Valerie shoot our videos."
Gloria asks, "Skye, are the three of you doing the same thing?"
Skye replies, "I do online video content, Caroline shoots pictures, and Kalea is writing a book about overcoming fear, while hiking the most dangerous trails in the west."
Caroline adds, "We have been online friends for years and this is our first outing together."
Skye, Caroline and Kalea stop in shade on the switchback trail.
Gloria asks, "How much water are you carrying?" Kalea lifts up two 16oz bottles of water."
Valerie asks, "Do you have any electrolytes or salty snacks? Utah is the second driest state in the United States."
Kalea holds out two sugar coated energy bars.
Later they walk through a small canyon. Gloria speaks, "Welcome to Refridgerator Canyon. A great place to cool off."
Then they reach a section of short switchbacks. Valerie speaks, "This is Walter Wiggles!"
Caroline asks, "Valerie, can you take a picture of us on the wiggles?"
Skye, Kalea and Caroline stand on different switchbacks, with arms lifted up to the sky. Valerie shoots a half dozen photos with different poses.
Everyone reaches the top of Scout Lookout. Jack tells them, "We didn't get a permit, so we have to stop here."
Gloria adds, "The ranger will check your permit before the chain section. If you are found without one, it's a $5,000 fine & six months in prison."
Kalea speaks, "We were so lucky to get our permit online."
Jack looks serious saying, "Have you prepared yourself physically? Have you hiked on slickrock in the desert before?"
Valerie adds, "When I hiked up the chain section before, I wore my bicycle gloves. The chains can get hot in the afternoon."
Skye smirks, "Nobody tells us these things online."
Gloria stares at Skye's shoes, asking, "Do your have good traction? Have you tested your hiking shoes on slickrock and sand before?"
Caroline says, "We don't have any fear of anything?"
Gloria quotes, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10 NASB - New American Standard Bible)
Valerie asks, "Do you have a will or trust? If you were to die today, would you go to heaven or hell?"
Skye replies, "Sorry, we are not religious."
Jack adds, "Do you have fear and worry about your safety today?"
Kalea speaks, "As long as we are focused and hold tightly to the chain, we will be all right."
Valerie adds, "As long as we hold tight to Jesus we will be all right too."
Gloria reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV - New International Version)
Skye smiles, "It's been a pleasure hiking with you. We need to hike up the chain section before it gets crowded."
Jack smiles back, "Can we pray for God's protection on you, before you leave."
Kalea smiles, "Yes please! Yes please!"
After Jack prays for them, they walk over to the ranger checking their permits to hike the chain section.
Three Detectives rest on Scout Lookout, eating lunch and talking to other hikers.
It was about 1 1/2 hours later, they see the three social media influencers return down the trail.
Skye was in front, Kalea was limping with a scraped knee, and Caroline following behind.
The Three Detectives walked Kalea over to a rock, to sit down.
Jack stares, "You're bleeding, lets wash out the dirt and put a bandage on it."
Jack takes out a fresh bottle of water and washes the sand out of the wound. After putting a cotton pad to slow the bleeding, he reaches into his pack pulling out a large Bandaid.
Kalea takes a deep breathe, "Coming down was scarey. There's sand on the slickrock that made me slip. I grabbed the chain with one hand and was saved. Can you tell me how I can follow Jesus?"
Gloria reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV)
Valerie adds, "Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." (John 3:3 NIV)
Kalea smiles, "I want Jesus to be my guide!"
Jack quotes, "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)
Gloria speaks to Skye and Caroline, saying, "Would you like to overcome the fear of death and know you have everlasting life?"
Skye, Carolie and Kalea still shaken from the fear of Angels Landing, shook their heads, YES!
Kalea says, "What do we have to do?"
Jack says, "Would you like to pray and receive Jesus into your life? He has a free gift of everlasting life."
Valerie adds, "If you repent from you sins, have faith and trust in Him, you will receive His Holy Spirit and he will comfort and guide you."
Gloria adds, "He will make you a new person."
After they pray, all of them comes together in a group hug.
Kalea says, "I think we're going to Bryce Canyon next and skip all the trails of terror. It's time to enjoy the west!"
Skye says, "Goodbye, it has been fun meeting you on Scout Lookout. I'm sure glad that Jesus is our scout and He is looking out for all of us!"
