Angels Landing

The trail to Angels Landing is {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} long with an approximate {{convert|1500|feet|m}} elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemite Decimal System.{{cite web|url=http://www.summitpost.org/angels-landing/150599|title=Angel's Landing: Climbing, Hiking, and Mountaineering|website=summitpost.org|publisher=SummitPost|accessdate=17 December 2017}} It begins at the Grotto drop-off point on the park's shuttle system, which operates from early spring through late fall.{{cite web|last=Lloyd |first=Tommy |date=1 December 2015 |title=Angels Landing Hike – Not for the Faint of Heart |url=http://mountainranges.org/2015/12/angels-landing-hike/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208063404/http://mountainranges.org/2015/12/angels-landing-hike/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2015 |website=MountainRanges.org |access-date=4 December 2015}} It roughly follows the path of the Virgin River for some distance along the West Rim Trail, slowly gaining elevation in sandy terrain. Most of the trail is uphill on the way up to Angels Landing. As the trail gets steeper and leaves the river, it becomes paved. After a series of steep switchbacks, the trail goes through the area between Angels Landing and the Zion Canyon that is a gradual ascent. Walter's Wiggles, a series of 21 steep switchbacks, are the last hurdle before Scout Lookout. The wiggles are named after Walter Ruesch, who was the first superintendent for Zion National Park and constructed the switchbacks in 1926.{{cite web|url=http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/angels-landing-hike-zion/|title=Angel's Landing in Zion National Park |website=Hikespeak |access-date=4 January 2017}}

Scout Lookout is generally the turnaround point for those who are unwilling to make the final summit push to the top of Angels Landing.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2023 |title=Angels Landing Permits & Hiking |url=https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=National Park Service}} The last half-mile of the trail is strenuous and lined with numerous sharp drop-offs and narrow paths. Chains to grip are provided for portions of the last half-mile to the top at {{convert|5790|ft|m}}.{{cite web |last=Hartman |first=Annie |title=Angels Landing Is One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the US |url=https://curiosity.com/topics/angels-landing-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-hikes-in-the-us-curiosity/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824002324/https://curiosity.com/topics/angels-landing-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-hikes-in-the-us-curiosity/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 August 2018 |website=Curiosity |access-date=23 August 2018 |date=12 July 2018}}

The half-mile section up the spine, the Angels Landing Trail-West Rim Trail, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=64000878}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Multiple Resources for Zion National Park |last1=Jurale |first1=Jim |last2=Witherall |first2=Nancy |year=1984|website=National Park Service |access-date=3 September 2009}}

As of 2024, 18 deaths have been confirmed at or near Angels Landing.{{Cite web |date=5 September 2023 |title=Angels Landing Deaths List: How Many People Have Died? |url=https://theworldtravelguy.com/angels-landing-deaths-list/ |access-date=15 September 2023 |website=The World Travel Guy}}

In July 2018, the trail was closed following damage due to a severe storm and was reopened in September 2018.{{Cite web|last=Bultrus|first=Aly|date=21 September 2018|title=Angels Landing Reopens Following Storm – Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/angels-landing-reopens-following-storm.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001222034/https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/angels-landing-reopens-following-storm.htm|archive-date=1 October 2018 |access-date=18 February 2021 |website=National Park Service}}

Since 2022, hikers who go beyond Scout Lookout have been required to have a permit.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-parks-usa.com/angels-landing-zion-np-permit/ |title=Angels Landing in Zion NP piloting permit program in 2022 |website=National Park Service}} This permit program was instituted due to overcrowding in prior years and is intended to improve visitor experiences, protect the park, and increase the safety of the hike. Permits can be acquired from the National Park Service in a quarterly seasonal lottery, as well as through a day-before application.{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm |title=Angels Landing Permits & Hiking |website=National Park Service}}

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Angels Landing. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F (0 °C), and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/zion-national-park-climate |title=Climate and monthly weather forecast Zion National Park, UT |website=Weather U.S. |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152638/https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/zion-national-park-climate |archive-date=27 January 2019 |url-status=live}}

Climbing routes on Angels Landing include:{{cite web |url= http://www.supertopo.com/routesearch.php?ftr=landing|title= Climbing Route Search |website=SuperTopo |access-date= 12 April 2021}}

• Prodigal Son – V {{YDS|5.7}} C2 – 9 pitches
• Lowe Route – IV/V {{YDS|5.13 or 5.9}} C3 – 13 pitches
• Northeast Buttress – IV {{YDS|5.10+}} – 8 pitches
• South Face – II {{YDS|5.10}} – 3 pitches
• Ball and Chain – V {{YDS|5.12d}} A0 – 9 pitches
• Angels Hair – V {{YDS|5.13a}} – 11 pitches

{{clear|right}}

File:The summit of Angels Landing.jpg| {{center|Summit of Angels Landing}}

File:Zion angels landing view.jpg| {{center|Zion Canyon as seen from the summit of Angels Landing}}

File:Angel's Landing Summit.JPG|Looking toward the top of Angels Landing

File:Angel's Landing Trail.JPG|Angels Landing trail including chain cables

File:Zion-AngelsLandingEdge.jpg|Zion Canyon viewed from Angels Landing, showing the immense vertical relief

{{Panorama

|image = File:Angels Landing Panorama.jpg

|height = 150

|caption = Panorama of Zion National Park taken from Angels Landing with Cathedral Mountain left of center and the Great White Throne far right

[https://tools.wmflabs.org/zoomviewer/index.php?f=Angels_Landing_Panorama.jpg&flash=no (zoom view)]

}}

• Great White Throne

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Angels Landing (Zion National Park)}}

• [http://www.summitpost.org/angels-landing/150599 SummitPost]
• [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/angels-landing-trail AllTrails]
• [http://xpatmatt.com/photos/hiking-climbing-angels-landing/ Angel's Landing Photos and Trip Report 2012]
• [http://www.peakfever.com/hike-info-11.php Angels Landing winter hike and trip report], February 2010
• [http://highpoweredplanet.blogspot.com/2011/10/angels-landing-zion-national-park-utah.html Angel's Landing trip report]
• {{HAER |survey=UT-40-A |id=ut0191 |title=Zion National Park Historic Trails System, Angels Landing, Springdale, Washington County, UT |data=2}}

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Category:Rock formations of Utah

Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Utah

Category:Landforms of Washington County, Utah

Category:Zion National Park