Angels Landing (Zion National Park)

As one of Zion’s most iconic hikes…Angels Landing actually is one of the most dangerous hikes. Since the year 2000, 13 hikers have died attempting to climb it. Even though it is deemed so dangerous…no permit is needed. But this doesn’t stop the thousands of hikers who every year climb to the top and enjoy the view looking down into the canyon of Zion National Park.

I, myself had planned on hiking Angels Landing back in 2018, but unfortunately part of the trail was closed due to a rockfall. Fast forward to 2020 (October to be exact) we were able to secure shuttle tickets and start our hike up. Due to Covid-19 there were limited shuttle tickets available and sold out quickly. Every day they would release a small amount of extra tickets for the following day at 7am. So I went on at 7am and secured those shuttle tickets enabling us to not have to go with Plan B…hike up the canyon or attempt to rent bikes.

The total hike is less than 5 miles roundtrip from the Grotto shuttle stop. Hop on West Rim Trail and head towards Scout Lookout (~1.6 miles up). Walter’s Wiggles is a section of 21 switchbacks leading you right up to Scout Landing. So make sure you’re reading to tackle this section. Once you have reached Scout Landing you can use the restroom, recuperate or just start heading up the chain section. In this next roughly half mile section, you will gain about 500 feet of elevation. From here on is when it becomes a very narrow trail with steep thousand foot cliffs on either side. Most of the time there is a chain for you to hold onto, to give you more comfort and also to assist you up. The chain was missing in a few short sections when we were there. But was not missing in a very sketchy spot so we continued on. For those who have a fear of heights but still want to try to conquer this. What I recommend is you just keep looking up, right at the chain and never look down to the sides so you don’t freak yourself out.

I highly recommend going really early or at an off hour because as we were heading down there was a lot of people coming up at the like 8 or 9 o’clock hour. It was kind of uncomfortable and a pain to pass people on such a narrow section. Sometimes only the hikers coming up OR the hikers going down could hold onto the chains. So it can become a little nerve racking IF you encountered this. My girlfriend is afraid of heights and was really uncomfortable…but I was able to go slow and make sure we got her up. It is definitely possible for people to get up who aren’t very comfortable with heights. Just make sure you are very careful and you’re taking safe steps, paying attention to where you are stepping. It’s not a race so just get up to the top safely. Even though getting up is very narrow and sketchy. The summit has plenty of flat ground for you to relax and prepare to go back down. There was a very chilly wind blowing at the top when we got up, so I was thankful to have a nice jacket on. Bring a snack and enjoy the view. When you’re going down, do the same thing and have a safe spot to be if you let someone pass. To be completely honest I didn’t think the hike was that scary going up the chain section. I just really had a strong dislike with dodging and passing people. Mostly due to how inconsiderate some of them were.

All in all this was a great experience. Would love to have had the summit to be less busy, especially because we were on the FIRST shuttle of the day. But because you can access the trails via foot, bike or own car…others beat us to the punch. Bring plenty of water and layers depending on the time of the year. It only took us 2.5 hours for the whole hike.