Zion National Park – Viewpoint on Walter’s Wiggles Engel 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.

I have a dedicate blog covering all the information about this hike:

Zion National Park - Angel Landing Hike

This blog is about hiking to an un-official out-of-trail location that provide a unique viewpoint on Walter’s Wiggles, the most beautiful section of the trail leading to Scout Lookout.

Walter’s Wiggles trail section is a marvel demonstration of trail engineering work.

In this section the trail need to climb a steep rock face using the help of a native crack, it is doing so by 21 tight switchbacks climbing one above the other over and up the steep rock section.

From this unique viewpoint location you can see, on the other side of the deep canyon, Walter’s Wiggles trail section, with all it zigzags pattern. You can see the group of people walking up and down the section.

Angel Landing climb, view from above:

Related Blogs:

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 or keep hiking up on West Rim Trail.

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 to Angel Landing several times but at my last time I did not have any permit to hike all the way to the last section. After reaching Scout Lookout enjoying the view it was still early in the morning and I had more time, so I decided to go and look for a special location that provide a unique view on Walter’s Wiggles trail section.

I understand the general direction from where the picture was taken, this was from the other side of the canyon, so I decide to look for this point and after few trials and errors I manage to find 2 great viewing points.

The Hike:

I will start my hike description for this hike at Scout Lookout saddle, right before the starting of the trail leading up to Angel Landing.

From the open area near the climb to Angel Landing the North Rim Trail heading north up the ridge line.

Right after you start to walk up you will pass the actual location of Scout Lookout that provide nice view down the canyon and on Angel landing climb.

The clearly marked trail keep ascending the rock, in part utilizing cracks and in other section you have a good view to the opening of The Narrows canyon.

As you climb up, about 0.4 mile from the saddle, the red-slickrock transform to more white color rock.

Here you will pass through exposed white slickrock, here you need to follow the clear trail signs.

The trail cross the exposed area to the left side, keep heading north where the canyon is on your left.

From here you will see, on the other side of the canyon the direction you need to take. Hike a little longer and after 0.8 mile from the starting point you will reach the point where you need to leave the official trail that keep going up.

Leave the trail and turn left on the flat rock.

At this point there is no official or clear trail, and I also did not see any cairns for trail indication.

At first, I went down too soon, and I couldn’t see the trail, you need to pass the lower section, keep about the same level and head south.

After very short time you will reach a rock ledge, right above the canyon that from here you can see the Walter’s Wiggles trail section.

Do not expect to see it up close, the distance from the rock ledge to Walter’s Wiggles is about 350m, down below you, this is not closeup.

You need a binocular or a good zoom lens if you want to take a good picture from this location. I used a 600mm lens to get those pictures.

You can see all the 21 tight switchbacks as they are one above the other, look at the people climbing up, some are resting some taking it in one take.

This is an interesting and unique and not so many reach this point to enjoy the view.

I walked to another rock ledge to get another view angle and after taking additional pictures and resting I start to hike back. I reconnect to West Rim Trail, turn right and start to hike back down in the direction of Scout Lookout.

Overall to get to this point from the saddle this will be about 1.2-mile one way with 550 ft elevation gain. This is about one hour extension of your Scout Lookout hike.

If I will add the hike to saddle (Scout Lookout) into account total hike distance, including the way back, will be 6 mile and 1650 ft elevation gain.

This was a fun hike extension with an interesting view, if I will do this again, I will try to be here earlier in the morning where all the trail will be in the shade or later the afternoon to have better light on the trail section, mid-day it was challenging with the right exposure setting.

Additional Pictures:

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