Hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah.
There are many unique and breathtaking hiking destinations in Utah. Some are very accessible, while others are a little off the beaten path. Utah has a broad array of different landscapes, providing many unique hiking opportunities. Whether it’s a deep slot canyon, with the walls twisting and turning hundreds of feet up, such as the Buckskin Gulch , or a hike along the back bone of a 1500 foot rock made of pink sandstone, such as Angels Landing, Utah has it all. Angels Landing will be the focus of this article. Find out why Angels Landing, in Zion National Park , Utah, is truly an unforgettable exhilarating experience.
To get to the starting point of this hike, catch one of the Zion shuttles and enjoy the scenery. Get off at the Grotto picnic area, 0.6 miles from the Zion Lodge. When you exit the shuttle, continue across the bridge that crosses the Virgin River. Take time to enjoy the fabulous scenery towering over you.
The trail is well maintained and groomed, with many parts paved. The path starts off fairly easy as it makes its way, twisting and turning up and down, toward the 1500 foot sandstone cliffs. This makes for a good warm up because this trail soon gets more difficult.
You will climb 1000 feet, in just 1.9 miles, to Scout Lookout. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks, along with proper protection from the sun. Zion National Park often hits temperatures in the 100 degree range, and much of this trail is in the sun. As you make your way up the steep trail, notice the changing landscape around every corner. Keep your eye out for some of the parks wildlife too. Some of the unique birds often seen in the Zion Park include the Peregrine Falcon, the California Condor, Turkey Vultures and the Spotted Owl, just to name a few.
After following a steep paved path, carved out of the side of the mountain, you will soon notice the path levels off and the air gets considerably cooler. You have reached Refrigerator Canyon. Notice the change in vegetation. If you happen to be hiking this trail in the fall, you will be treated to a brilliant display of fiery red Maple leaves. This is a good time to stop, catch your breath and take in your surroundings. You may need the rest because the steepest part of the trail is just ahead.
Shortly after arriving at Refrigerator Canyon you will come to a series of switchbacks that steeply zig zag up until you reach Scout Lookout. These are called Walters Wiggles, named after the first superintendant of Zion National Park, Walter Ruesch. This part of the trail can be physically trying for some, but don’t give up because your first reward is just a few more wiggles ahead.
Scout Lookout is approximately 1000 feet above the Virgin River. This is where caution and good judgment are a crucial part of the hike. Sheer cliffs of pinkish sandstone are all around. Take a rest and enjoy the spectacular views before continuing on to the next and final leg of the Angels Landing hike. For those that are afraid of heights and challenged by their physical ability, this would be a perfect end to a rewarding hike. Those with a little more ability and courage, get ready for a one of a kind adventure.
It’s approximately half mile and a 500 foot climb from Scout Lookout to your final destination.
Ahead you will notice chains and some rails attached to the narrow back bone that continues up. You will be thankful they are there when you see the seemingly endless cliffs on both sides of you. Many of these areas are only wide enough for a single person to cross at a time and may be covered in sand. Never try to hike to Angels Landing in bad weather or darkness, for obvious reasons, and use the chains and rails when provided. After carefully scaling your way to the top, the trail widens and you will be able to see for miles. This is Angels Landing. The view is nothing short of spectacular and awe inspiring. As a Methodist minister named Frederick Vining once said, Only angels might land upon it.
Buckskin Gulch
National Parks
Zion National Park
To get to the starting point of this hike, catch one of the Zion shuttles and enjoy the scenery. Get off at the Grotto picnic area, 0.6 miles from the Zion Lodge. When you exit the shuttle, continue across the bridge that crosses the Virgin River. Take time to enjoy the fabulous scenery towering over you.
The trail is well maintained and groomed, with many parts paved. The path starts off fairly easy as it makes its way, twisting and turning up and down, toward the 1500 foot sandstone cliffs. This makes for a good warm up because this trail soon gets more difficult. You will climb 1000 feet, in just 1.9 miles, to Scout Lookout. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks, along with proper protection from the sun. Zion National Park often hits temperatures in the 100 degree range, and much of this trail is in the sun. As you make your way up the steep trail, notice the changing landscape around every corner. Keep your eye out for some of the parks wildlife too. Some of the unique birds often seen in the Zion Park include the Peregrine Falcon, the California Condor, Turkey Vultures and the Spotted Owl, just to name a few.
After following a steep paved path, carved out of the side of the mountain, you will soon notice the path levels off and the air gets considerably cooler. You have reached Refrigerator Canyon. Notice the change in vegetation. If you happen to be hiking this trail in the fall, you will be treated to a brilliant display of fiery red Maple leaves. This is a good time to stop, catch your breath and take in your surroundings. You may need the rest because the steepest part of the trail is just ahead.
Shortly after arriving at Refrigerator Canyon you will come to a series of switchbacks that steeply zig zag up until you reach Scout Lookout. These are called Walters Wiggles, named after the first superintendant of Zion National Park, Walter Ruesch. This part of the trail can be physically trying for some, but don’t give up because your first reward is just a few more wiggles ahead.
Scout Lookout is approximately 1000 feet above the Virgin River. This is where caution and good judgment are a crucial part of the hike. Sheer cliffs of pinkish sandstone are all around. Take a rest and enjoy the spectacular views before continuing on to the next and final leg of the Angels Landing hike. For those that are afraid of heights and challenged by their physical ability, this would be a perfect end to a rewarding hike. Those with a little more ability and courage, get ready for a one of a kind adventure.
It’s approximately half mile and a 500 foot climb from Scout Lookout to your final destination.
Ahead you will notice chains and some rails attached to the narrow back bone that continues up. You will be thankful they are there when you see the seemingly endless cliffs on both sides of you. Many of these areas are only wide enough for a single person to cross at a time and may be covered in sand. Never try to hike to Angels Landing in bad weather or darkness, for obvious reasons, and use the chains and rails when provided. After carefully scaling your way to the top, the trail widens and you will be able to see for miles. This is Angels Landing. The view is nothing short of spectacular and awe inspiring. As a Methodist minister named Frederick Vining once said, Only angels might land upon it. Buckskin Gulch
National Parks
Zion National Park
