Angels Landing Trail
Distance: 5 miles (round trip)
Trail type: Up and back
Elevation Change: 1,488 feet
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Difficulty rating: Strenuous
One of the most talked about hikes in Zion National Park, the Angels Landing Trail leads to a high perch with an amazing view of Zion Canyon below. This is not for young children! Even older children should be supervised on this trail.
The Angels Landing Trail begins at the Grotto stop on the Zion Shuttle route (directly across from the Grotto Picnic Area). The trail begins paralleling the river in sandy terrain and gaining elevation. After a while the route seithces to a paved trail leading to a set of switchbacks that ascend the canyon wall to Refrigerator Canyon, a welcome respite that supplies plenty of shade. Take timehere to regroup, hydrate and prepare the final ascent to Scout Lookout
Your ascent will take you up Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 tight switchbacks named after one of the park’s first superintendents. Scout Lookout provides excellent views of the canyon and serves as a springboard for the last 0.5-mile ascent to the pinnacle. NOTE: from here the trail gets trecherous and is not for the faint of heart, persons who suffer from vertigo, or other physical conditions. Hikers extremely fearful of heights will not want to venture past Scout Lookout.
The last leg to the top is very steep with long, sheer drop offs. Chains bolted to the rock supply secure handholds throughout this portion of the trail. Avoid the portion of the hike if weather does not permit, i.e.wet, icey, thunderstorms, strong winds,etc. Plan your time wisely as you do not want to be on this in the dark.
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