Total Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Elevation Gain: 1,617 feet (493m)
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Access Point: The Grotto Trailhead
Traffic: Heavy
Elevation Gain: 1,617 feet (493m)
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Access Point: The Grotto Trailhead
Traffic: Heavy
If you have not seen the sun rise on the red rocks under the open blue sky of Utah’s Zion National Park, then you have not seen just how vibrant Mother Nature can really be. The mountains themselves seem to ignite aflame and burst with hues of red and orange that contrast against the sky’s deep blue that truly takes your breath away. It is a sight that everybody should see at least once in their life. It has been easily one of the best wonders I have seen in my lifetime.
Zion National Park is full of natural beauties, and one of the most well-known, and for good reason would be Angel’s Landing. Angel’s Landing is a monument that stands nearly 1500 feet tall in the middle of the canyon. It is roughly a 5 mile out and back trail that starts easy but gets much more strenuous as it goes on. This is easily one of the more popular hikes in the park, so you’re going to want to start early, especially if you are going in the peak tourist months.
You start down low amongst the pastel trees that grow alongside the river on The Grotto trailhead. The well-marked paved path takes you up into Refrigerator Canyon taking you higher with every turn, and giving you great views of the canyon, along with amazing plant and animal life throughout. Deer is prevalent throughout the park, as well as small squirrels and other small animals that you will without a doubt see as you explore the park. Entering Refrigerator Canyon is an absolute treat. You are just surrounded by the red rock on both sides, and the valley behind you disappears. If it is a particularly hot day, entering Refrigerator Canyon is going to be a relief because it offers plenty of shade. In fact, the short bit through Refrigerator Canyon is one of my favorites because you feel almost as if you’re part of the canyon itself. You can look up and watch as the smooth rippled canyon walls go up hundreds of feet. Its particularly beautiful to see one of the walls covered in moss, contrasting against the red rock on the other side.
Zion National Park is full of natural beauties, and one of the most well-known, and for good reason would be Angel’s Landing. Angel’s Landing is a monument that stands nearly 1500 feet tall in the middle of the canyon. It is roughly a 5 mile out and back trail that starts easy but gets much more strenuous as it goes on. This is easily one of the more popular hikes in the park, so you’re going to want to start early, especially if you are going in the peak tourist months.
You start down low amongst the pastel trees that grow alongside the river on The Grotto trailhead. The well-marked paved path takes you up into Refrigerator Canyon taking you higher with every turn, and giving you great views of the canyon, along with amazing plant and animal life throughout. Deer is prevalent throughout the park, as well as small squirrels and other small animals that you will without a doubt see as you explore the park. Entering Refrigerator Canyon is an absolute treat. You are just surrounded by the red rock on both sides, and the valley behind you disappears. If it is a particularly hot day, entering Refrigerator Canyon is going to be a relief because it offers plenty of shade. In fact, the short bit through Refrigerator Canyon is one of my favorites because you feel almost as if you’re part of the canyon itself. You can look up and watch as the smooth rippled canyon walls go up hundreds of feet. Its particularly beautiful to see one of the walls covered in moss, contrasting against the red rock on the other side.
You travel through this canyon for about ¾ of a mile before encountering the infamous Walter’s Wiggles. Walter’s Wiggles is easily the most arduous part of the entire hike. You look up to see 21 steep switchbacks carved right into the canyon. Each switchback is only about 40 feet long, but after the tenth turn or so you really start to feel the monotony of each switchback, and your legs definitely start to feel it. I believe traveling the 21 switchbacks is the equivalent of climbing a ten-story building. There really is nothing too special about this part, apart from climbing something that has been carved out of the side of the canyon. Although there are no especially riveting views climbing up this part.
Finally, after surviving the 21 switchbacks you will be rewarded with Scout Lookout, that offers a great resting spot with a bathroom, a fantastic view of the valley below, and a unique view from behind Angel’s Landing. Looking at it from this angle makes you think it nearly impossible to finish the last half mile of the journey. From this side you can really appreciate what an undertaking hiking Angel’s Landing is with at one point seeming as if the rock goes straight up. The final half mile is one of the most stressing half miles in America. You will be clutching metal chains that have been nailed into the rock the entire way. It winds its way from the very side of the rock, giving you a look hundreds of feet below, up to a section where there is only about a foot of path on either side and beyond that a sheer drop. As one older hiker said on his way down, “It’s a real sphincter checker”. There is a substantial amount of bouldering and scrambling as well in this section, which when being careful can be very rewarding, as eventually you will see the final stretch over to the very edge of Angel’s Landing.
The vista here is nothing short of spectacular. One of the highest points in the park, you have a 360 view of the entire canyon area looking below. An absolute stunning view seeing the river circle around the great rock pillar. You can see the different shades of color in the rocks that show a history over the course of a millennia. An ancient structure that has stood for thousands of years, and hopefully a thousand more. It captures the sights and sounds of the American West like no other.
Finally, after surviving the 21 switchbacks you will be rewarded with Scout Lookout, that offers a great resting spot with a bathroom, a fantastic view of the valley below, and a unique view from behind Angel’s Landing. Looking at it from this angle makes you think it nearly impossible to finish the last half mile of the journey. From this side you can really appreciate what an undertaking hiking Angel’s Landing is with at one point seeming as if the rock goes straight up. The final half mile is one of the most stressing half miles in America. You will be clutching metal chains that have been nailed into the rock the entire way. It winds its way from the very side of the rock, giving you a look hundreds of feet below, up to a section where there is only about a foot of path on either side and beyond that a sheer drop. As one older hiker said on his way down, “It’s a real sphincter checker”. There is a substantial amount of bouldering and scrambling as well in this section, which when being careful can be very rewarding, as eventually you will see the final stretch over to the very edge of Angel’s Landing.
The vista here is nothing short of spectacular. One of the highest points in the park, you have a 360 view of the entire canyon area looking below. An absolute stunning view seeing the river circle around the great rock pillar. You can see the different shades of color in the rocks that show a history over the course of a millennia. An ancient structure that has stood for thousands of years, and hopefully a thousand more. It captures the sights and sounds of the American West like no other.
