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Angel's Landing in Zion:  Not for the Faint of Heart

11/27/2013

2 Comments

 
Breathtaking view of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park; if you don't mind steep drop-offs, this hike's for you!
Trip Stats:
  • Distance:   5.0 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain:  1,488 feet  (Angels Landing is at 5,790 feet elevation)
  • Trailhead:  Grotto Picnic Area just north of the Zion Lodge
  • Difficulty:  Strenuous
  • Considerations:  Trail is narrow with long drop-offs.  Last 0.5 miles follows steep narrow ridge with intermittent chains to hold onto.
Related:
Utah's Red Rock Country
​Double Arch Alcove hike - Zion NP
Picture
Top of Angels Landing - Zion National Park
​Looking down Zion Canyon
Picture
View of Zion Canyon from Cable Mountain, Zion National Park
Angels Landing lower left
Utah's Red Rock Country
​Angels Landing, the summit of a towering slab of orange and yellow Navajo Sandstone rises almost 1,500 feet from the floor of Zion Canyon in Zion National Monument.    At first glance, it looks as if someone took a flat chunk of rock and tilted it up 90 degrees to rest on its side; however, if you study the rock more closely, you can see the relatively horizontal cross-bedding of sand layers that were laid down 180 million years ago.   When you stand at almost the highest elevation in the park, Observation Point, you can look down onto Angels Landing, 700 feet below your boots.  From this vantage point, Angels Landing is a fin of vertical sandstone.  From any vantage point, it seems impossible that there would be a hiking trail to the top, but in fact, people have been hiking Angels Landing since the trail was built in 1926.
Picture
Warning sign at the West Rim trailhead in Zion Canyon, with Angels Landing in background
Fred and I were fortunate enough to hike Angels Landing the Monday before Thanksgiving.  We were trying to remember how many times each of us had been to the top.  I did my first Angels Landing hike nearly 20 years ago, and Fred the same.  We have done it about 3 or 4 times since, and each time we are reminded what a special and spectacular hike it is.  However, 20 years later, a lot more people know about the trail, and it has become a destination for many a Zion hiker.

At the trailhead, a sign warns hikers of the perils that lie ahead.  The sign reads:  “Since 2004, six people have died falling from the cliffs on this route.  The 1.1 mile round-trip route from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing is a strenuous climb on a narrow ridge over 1,400 feet above the canyon floor.  This route is not recommended during high winds, storms, or if snow or ice is present.”
Picture
Waterfall in Refrigerator Canyon in November
Picture
Base of Angels Landing in Zion National Park as viewed from West Rim Trail
After hiking a short distance along the Virgin River, the erosive force mostly responsible for the creation of Zion Canyon, the trail ascends steeply up switchbacks to enter Refrigerator Canyon.  I can see how this canyon got its name because even in warmer months, it is still a cool and welcome change from the sun-baked trail below.  While still in this canyon, the next task is to hike up through “Walter’s Wiggles”, named for Zion’s first superintendant, who helped build the trail in 1926.  There are 21 short, very steep, heart-pounding switchbacks.  Upon exiting Refrigerator Canyon and the “wiggles”, the first close-up view of the vertical walls of Angels Landing comes into view.  It is here that your heart pounds for a different reason:  there before you lies a spectacular site of a narrow straight-up trail with lots of people holding onto thick metal chains that have been placed on most of the route.
Picture
 West Rim Trail past Scout Lookout and the trailhead to Angels Landing
Picture
Heavy steel chain bolted into sandstone - Angels Landing at left on top of sandstone fin
Picture
The final climb 
The chains drilled into the sandstone make this exposed, dizzying hike much more manageable.  In fact, there was a trail crew working on the chains, replacing some clamps that attached the chains to the poles.  As we waited for them to complete their task, I made sure not to look at the 1,200 foot sheer drop-off just a few feet to my left.
Picture
Refigerator Canyon with cross-bedded sandstone
Picture
On Angels Landing - view to the north, toward the narrows of the Virgin River
​Oh glorious summit!  The reward is worth the guts, nerves, and courage of the adventurer.  There are about 15 people on the sun-drenched summit, all smiling and taking photos.
 
To the north, the Virgin River snakes through the top of the canyon, and to the south, famous Zion Canyon landmarks can be seen, such as the Great White Throne.
Picture
Fred walking down Walter's Wiggles - switchbacks in Refrigerator Canyon named after Zion's first superintendent, who helped build this trail in 1926 
​Zion Canyon is the remnant of ancient sand dunes that covered a huge portion of North America, and formed about 175 million years ago.  It is at Zion that these ancient sand dunes are the greatest thickness. 
 
We head back down, and find many more hikers coming up, and since trail etiquette dictates that uphill hikers have the right of way, we pause a few times to encourage climbers.  At one point, a woman sees what lies ahead of her and wants to turn back, muttering something about just eating lunch.  I tell her that “it’s not as bad as it looks” and she bravely goes on.  Because it’s true, it’s really not as scary as it looks.  We will be back someday.
2 Comments
https://www.uk-dissertation.com/assignment.html link
10/22/2019 09:01:45 pm

Trekking might not be my favorite activity to do because it is extremely tiring, but it's a perfect way to burn your fats! It will be worth it once you reached the peak and see the beauty of being on the top. On this case, Zion Canyon has a breathtaking view to offer. Looking at the picture makes me realized that there's so much to look forward to when you decide to go in Zion National Park! It might be quite scary because of the huge rock formation, but the beauty is worth appreciating!

Reply
Sue link
10/23/2019 07:33:54 am

Thanks for your comment and appreciation of Zion, one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Yes, this kind of trekking surely gets you in shape so you get the rewards of fitness as well as those of seeing such spectacular sites as the one on top of Angel's Landing. Of course, you are rewarded for your bravery on such an intimidating hike. I'm lucky to be able to have hiked in Zion for the last 25 years!

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    Exploration documentaries          –  "explorumentaries"  list trip stats and highlights of each hike or bike ride, often with some interesting history or geology.  Years ago, I wrote these for friends and family to let them know what my husband, Fred and I were up to on weekends, and also to showcase the incredible land of the west.  

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    Sue Birnbaum

    A  trip to Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Monument 38 years ago sparked my passion for hiking, exploring, and learning about desert ecosystems.  For the past 25 years, my husband Fred and I have explored the American West together; we love this land and I hope to inspire you to get out and explore through my photographs and trip descriptions.
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EXPLORUMENTARY.com
  • Home
    • Cactus to Clouds Hike
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    • Southern Utah
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    • California Desert
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    • Wyoming
  • BLOGS
    • Adventure Blog
    • Women and the Land
  • GALLERY
    • DESERT PLANTS >
      • Beavertail cactus
      • Brittlebush
      • Christmas Cactus
      • Arizona Barrel Cactus
      • Parry's penstemon
      • Agave
      • Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog
      • Claret Cup Hedgehog
      • Desert Agave
      • Palmer's Penstemon
      • Silver Cholla
      • Cristate Saguaro
      • Indian Paintbrush
      • Ocotillo
      • Santa Rita Prickly Pear
      • Spiny Cliffbrake
      • California Barrel Cactus
      • Engelmann Prickly Pear
      • Velvet Mesquite
      • Joshua Tree
      • Buckhorn Cholla
      • Hedgehog Cactus
      • Fishhook cactus
      • Thompson's Woolly Locoweed
    • NATURE
    • BOISE
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