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Hiking in Zion National Park 2007 – Angel’s Landing

Angel’s Landing is the polar opposite of The Narrows.  This is a strenuous hike that has an elevation gain of about 1400 ft.  To get to this trail, you take the Zion shuttle to The Grotto.  From there you cross the shuttle road and began your long hike to Angel’s Landing.  Here is a good topo and elevation map of the hike.

The first portion of the hike is paved.  The hike continues along a decent grade which can get pretty steep at times.  Overall, it’s basically walking on an uphill ramp for an hour.  The next portion is called Walter’s Wiggles.  This is a section of short and steep switchbacks.  This is a picture looking down from the top of it.

Once you get to the top of the wiggles, you’ve come to Scout’s Lookout.  From here you can see the first set of chains and the beginning of Angel’s Landing.

Most people can climb the first set of chains with no hesitation.  It’s the second set that has a steep drop-off to the right.  Many people stop here and think about if they really want to do the rest of the hike.

Once you get past those chains you will see the entire spine of Angel’s Landing.  Believe me, it looks very high and far away.  This is another point where many hikers stop and think.  A decent percentage go no further than this point.

A close up look at hikers on the spine.

Then once you get to the top you are rewarded with a spectacular view!

More pictures below…

Putting down the cell phone	Scouts Lookout	View at the top	Friendly chipmunk
Right before Walter’s Wiggles	Grotto trailhead	Angel’s Landing from ground level	Angel’s chains
Angel’s spine	It’s a steep drop	Traffic jam	The final chain
It’s a steep drop	Climbing the spine	Climbing the chains	Another chain picture