Zion National Park - Angel Landing Hike

on December 25, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

Angels Landing is probably one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park, The Narrows hike is the second one.

The view from the top of Angels Landing is spectacular, you see the Zion canyon and Virgin River below you as well as the colorful impressive mountain domes around you.

Hiking the 5.4 miles round trip trail and climbing to this 1,500-foot-tall rock to Angel Landing is a must adventure hike for every serios hiker. Plan for few hours (~3 hours) if you are in a good fit or a half a day hike for the rest of us. Expect delays on the chine section.

If you are planning only to hike to Scout Lookout this will be 4.6-mile round trip with 1,000 ft of elevation gain.

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The trail got it famous reputation from the climb along the narrow and steep knife ridge line leading to the viewpoint. In some sections you will need to use the chains and do some rock scrambling to progress, this can be intimidating both on your way up or when climbing down.

In some sections the narrow trail is only few feet wide where straight cliffs on both sides, falling here is sure death.

This is definitely one of the most famous hikes in all of the USA national parks and a great hike to put on your bucket list.

The trail starting near the river at it lower point it climb along the canon walls into crack in the rock and then with another series of steep 12 switchback to Scout Lookout, this will be after 1.7 miles and 1,100 ft elevation gain climbing from the starting point. From there it is another steep climb in the narrow cliff section of the hike to the top of Angels Landing, another 0.4 mile and 500 ft elevation gain.

Plan for few hours to hike to Scout Lookout and half a day to the top of Angels Landing, the last section, although not long is very slow progressing. Even with the permit system mid-day there are many people climbing up and down at the narrow section and using the chains for both directions. Plan for a lot of waits along this hike sections.

Angels Landing Permit:

In order to limit the number of people on the trail at its steep cliff chains section the National Park Service now requires hikers to have a permit.

This is needed year round.

If you plan to hike pass Scout Lookout all the way to Angels Landing highest point, going over the narrow cliff section using the chains, you must have a permit in advance!

Rangers are checking valid permit before the climb.

Prior your arriving into the park download or print your permit because there is no cell reception in the park.

Permits are awarded by lottery system (for up to six people per permit request), you can have seasonally permit or a day before your planned hike. It costs $6 to enter an application and if you are one of the lucky lottery winners, you will pay $3 per person.

For dates of the seasonal lotteries, how the day-before lottery works, and the link to enter the lottery, visit the park website:

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

Travel Time and Milage to Zion Visitor Center:

Salt Lake City, UT: 4 hours 23 minutes, 308 miles

Las Vegas, NV: 2 hours 39 minutes, 160 miles

St Gorge, UT: 1 hour, 42 miles

Bryce Canyon: 1 hour and 50 minutes, 82 miles

Kanab, UT: 1 hour, 41 miles

Page, AZ: 2 hours 20 minutes, 116 miles

Where is the trailhead and Zion Shuttle System:

The trailhead is located along the road following the park canyon, Virgin River, at The Grotto, stop #6 on the Zion Shuttle.

This ride from the visitor center to the trailhead is approximately 30 minutes long.

For most of the year month you can’t drive up the road that takes you the trailhead and you need to use the free shuttle service that run in the park or by riding bike up the road.

Check at the park website for exact shuttle operation dates and schedule.

You will need to park at the Visitor Center, right near the town of Springdale.

If the visitor center parking lot is full, usually happen at 9am at spring, summer and fall months, you can park at the nearby town (paid parking) and use the town shuttle to get to the visitor center or walk over.

In busy months you can have a waiting line of 30-90 minutes long for getting the shuttle, come as early as you can but expect many others to do exactly the same.

The potential for no available parking near the visitor center and the wait for shuttle must be part of your visit schedule planning.

This shuttle system is hop-on hop-off so you can use it for any stop along it route.

When hiking at the afternoon, know when the last shuttle schedule and plan to be in the shuttle station 30 minutes prior to last ride.

If you miss the last shuttle you will need to walk to the lodge and see if you can get a private transportation from there.

Google Map Link

When? :

Zion National Park is open year-round.

Spring and fall are the preferred time to visit here.

In summer temperatures are about 100f during mid-day so plan accordingly.

Try to start your hike early in the morning or late afternoon, evaluate the trail climbing difficulty and your hiking ability, bring enough water with you, snacks and light food, as well use sunscreen, wear hat, sunglasses and long sleeves.

Summer also is the most crowded time of the years, Zion get several hundreds of thousands of visitors every month, this create a lot of loads on the shuttle system and trail congestion and overcrowded locations.

One of the many benefits of hiking in Zion National Park is that its canyon elevation is not high (4,000-6,000ft), and most trails are doable year-round, thanks to the typically mild weather.

Winter months are cold, the night temperatures can be below freezing, and the days are around 60f. You might find snow and ice on trails.

Due note 1:

Zion National Park enter pass costs $35 per vehicle. This pass will cover your visits to Zion for one week.

If you want you can buy a year pass for all US National Parks, that will cost you $80.

No need to pay or reserve the free park shuttle.

You do not need a permit to hike to Scout Lookout.

Due note 2:

No matter until where you go this hike start with a lot of uphill climbs, plan accordingly.

Due note 3:

Tourist coming to Utah’s most popular national park reach around 3.5 million visitor per year.

The popular trail can have thousands of hikers per day, many are hiking only to Scout Lookout. Summer months are the busiest.

Many try to start their hike as early in the morning they can, depending on shuttle service start time (check park website).

Mid-day is very busy time even offseason.

Due note 4:

For all the length up to Scout Lookout the trail is fully paved with local send concreate, so it is in a great condition.

Due note 5:

At the at The Grotto starting point you can find restrooms and water.

Due note 6:

Pets are not permitted on any trail.

Due note 7:

The trail is exposed to the sun so bring water with you, use sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.

Due note 8:

During the winter after snow storm the trail could be treacherous with possible ice and snow patches on the trail. Spikes and tracking pools are good addition.

Due note 9:

When you are back at the shuttle you can take the bus going to the narrows direction or the one taking back to the visitor center direction.

Due note 8:

Check the seasonal shuttle schedule before you leave to make sure you do not miss the last shuttle.

Due note 9:

If you have the time and energy the Emerald Pools are a nice follow-up hike after finishing Angels Landing hike, and it start from the same trailhead.

Due note 10:

Inside the park along the canyon road the nearest snack bar, restaurant and souvenir store is located at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5).

No service or other stores/food available on Zion-Mt. Carmel Road (highway 9).

My thoughts:

I hiked here several times but only 2 times to the top of Angel Landing and this was before they start to implement the permit system.

This is indeed one of the most rewording hikes I ever did, this is not only about the destination but also about the journey.

It is not as extreme as it reputation but you must be carful at the chains section leading to the top of Angels Landing, take it slow and you will be safe.

Even when the trail is overcrowded with people this is very rewording hike, even if you are hiking only up to Scout Lookout.

The Hike:

From The Grotto shuttle stop, we crossed the road and use the large metal bridge to go over to the far side of Virgin River.

The trail start to follow up the river and as the view open up you can see the impressive rock monolith of Angels Landing above you.

Looking above it is not so clear how a trail can lead up there.

After about 0.4 mile the trail leave the river canyon and heading to the right, start to climb the slopes. After additional 0.2 mile the trail climb in a series of steep switchback, in part curved into the rock cliff.

This section is wide and paved, and it provide a grate foot traction when you are climbing up or down. Along this section, stop to gather your breath and to look back and see the canyon and the trail below you.

After the steepest section curved into the rock cliff the trail turn left and enters Refrigerator Canyon.

This section is following a narrow side creek where steep walls are on both side and trees in the canyon. This is the only flat section and shady part of the hike, great for the hot summer days.

After the canyon section the trail heading to the right cliff and soon you will reach the last climb before Scout Lookout, Walter’s Wiggles.

In this climb section that is a marvel demonstration of trail engineering work as the trail has 21 switchbacks one above the other that climb the steep rock section.

A short walk at the top of Walter’s Wiggles will lead you to Scout Lookout area.

This flat rocky section connect the isolated rock monolith of Angels Landing to the rest of the canyon ridge.

This is a good point to rest and enjoy the view to the other side of the canyon.

Be carful with the cliff section but you can see in the canyon floor the road and Big Bend Viewpoint.

During my several hikes of this trail I saw people in all hiking ability level reaching to Scout Lookout, take it slow, drink, and rest when the climb is too steep.

The climb to the top of Angels Landing is not for everyone, see below.

You can find here a restroom.

From here you can see the first section of the trail climbing up to Angels Landing along the ridgeline.

Usually there is a ranger that check climbing permits at this location.

If you do not have permits you go down from here or if you are not tired you can climb additional very short walk to an upper rocky point with better views down to the canyon and on Angels Landing rock.

Actually, the “real” Scout Lookout location is on the rock above the saddle where most people stop to rest. The view from up there is nicer covering more direction views and it worth the effort of additional short walk up.

When you are here looks for flying California Condors.

California condors are the largest bird in North America, and you might see one near Angels Landing.

I saw them several time when visiting here.

If you have the energy, you can continue hiking up on the West Rim Trail.

As you climb up the scenery is open to the high exposed white sandstones rocks and to the upper section of the park.

Along this hike you can find several spectacular views with a lot less people hiking here.

During one of my hikes here I went off-trail to look for a specific view point I saw in a picture once. The picture was of the Walter’s Wiggles trail section, showing all the zigzags from the other side of the canyon. I understand the general direction from where the picture was taken and after few trials and errors I manage to find 2 great viewing points.

You can keep climbing on West Rim Trail as much as you want, it is about 12 miles to Lava Point, and when you had enough you turn around and hike back down.

Angel Landing Viewpoint:

The next section will cover aspects related to climbing to the top of Angel Landing viewpoint.

Do remember that you must have a permit to hike this section of the trail.

Few warnings and tips:

· This is considered to be the most dangerous hike in the US national park; Since 1930, the majority of deadly accidents have taken place on the chains section of trail. There have been 13 known deaths from falls at Angels Landing since 2000, take this trail seriously.

· If you have a fear of heights, you should not do this hike.

· good level of physical fitness, you should feel good before going up the chains. You can always take rests.

· I will not recommend taking toddlers in back carrier, too much rock scrambling and bending.

· Young children should not do this hike.

· During the cold winter month after rain, it can have ice on the trail, this is especially correct after snowfall.

· When expecting ice/snow bring good spices to your walking shoes.

· For cold days bring good gloves with grip to help with the chains holding.

· No flip flops, no crocs, no Converse sneakers, I will recommend a good hiking shoes for this hike.

· Bring plenty of water and make sure you have them to the last section of the hike. This is especially correct if you will be hiking midday during the hot months. The last section will take you a lot longer time then you’re planning.

· Thunderstorm clouds can bring lightning that can be very dangerous at the exposed top of Angels Landing.

· The rock becomes very slick when wet.

· If you are climbing very late near sunset, make sure that you will climb down the chains section before it is getting dark. Have a good head flashlight with you.

The climb up to Angels Landing:

Unless you are taking the first shuttle into the park or ride a bike to the trailhead expect that other people will be in front of you. No matter when you climb this section there will be other people walking in both directions.

You must be patient here with slower hikers, all are using the chains for safety so do not overrun others and give traffic to flow in both directions. Allow faster hikers to pass you (when possible).

About at 9-10am the trail can get clogged with people climbing or descending, many sections are only wide enough for one-way traffic.

The first section is not so difficult or too dangerous, the sand slickrock provide a good traction for the foot and this is not a “rock climbing”.

After climbing the first “hill” you are descending into the middle narrow spine section of the hike.

Here the rocky trail is very narrow, just a few feet wide, with a lot of exposure from both sides.

After passing this section you need to climb, scramble up sandstone steps and boulders. At some point near the top, you will pass few trees and from there you will reach the top of Angels Landing.

From the top the view is rewording, you are position right in the center of the Zion Canyon where Virgin River looks tiny down in the valley below you and from both sides there are towering mountain tops in all colors of the white domes and red-rock formation.

What a view !!!

Once you rested you need to climb down the same way, passing back all the climbers that are going up.

Take it slowly and safely.

Once you are back at Scout Lookout you will hike down the trail back all the way to your starting point.

Summery:

Once you will do this hike you will understand why Angels Landing hike is considered to be one of the best hikes in the USA, a great combination of challenging hike with an amazing rewording view from the top.

Hiking 5.4 miles round trip and climbing to this 1,500-foot-tall rock formation in Zion National Park is a must adventure hike for every serios hiker.

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