Desert Southwest - The Checklist Edition - Angel's Landing - Zion National Park - September 2014

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Angel's Landing

Zion National Park, Utah

Friday, September 26

Another Clear Zion Morning

After a couple of fairly full days climbing Lady Mountain and then descending through The Subway, the consensus among our sub-group was to have a more relaxed day. I did have another interesting and potentially challenging off-the-beaten path route in mind, to a feature called Bridge Mountain Arch. Given the consensus opinion, though, we opted to do something short and easy. And known.

Meanwhile, the other sub-group (led by Chris, Gillian, Sandra and Alana) were also available for an easy day. They were available because they had decided not to start out on their planned two-day backpack down the West Rim trail. There was a fairly significant storm event forecast to move in for the next day, and they weren't super keen on having to hike in heavy rain - especially since Chris and Gillian's two young daughters would be along for the ride.

courtesy RHanel

First Clouds

The end result of our desire for an easy day and the skipping of the West Rim backpack by Chris et. al. meant that we had the opportunity for a complete-group outing: all thirteen of us could possibly have a shared outing together. Provided the objective was suitable.

We chose a popular but still interesting objective: Angel's Landing. Combining a fairly short four-hour round trip time and some exciting bits near the end, it isn't surprising that Angel's Landing is Zion's most famous hike.

Off to Angel's Landing

Once everybody was ready, the now-familiar walk from our campsite to the Visitor Center's shuttle bus stop began. Along the way we caught some nice glimpses of the summit of Lady Mountain - our achievement from two days before - peeking down at us through the shuttle bus' roof vents.

Our trip along the shuttle route was a bit longer today, as we got off at The Grotto trailhead - the closest stop to the start of the trail to Angel's Landing.

To the Visitor Center

Sunroof to Lady Mountain

West Rim Trailhead

Shortly before 11 a.m., we gathered at the lower end of the West Rim Trail (the first part of the West Rim Trail is also the first part of the route up to Angel's Landing).

courtesy JInnes

Stayin' Alive

Footbridge over Virgin

Lady Mountain

Although this was a repeat for many of us today, we still enjoyed the scenic West Rim Trail. It first led across the Virgin River on a sturdy metal footbridge, then turned right and headed upstream, mostly on the level. There was an excellent view of the slant-topped prominence of Angel's Landing, directly ahead.

courtesy JInnes

Angel's Landing

Soon the trail began to rise, as well as beginning a series of well-engineered and paved switchbacks. The views back down Zion Canyon as one begins to gain elevation here are sublime. In my opinion, the scene - a row of desert peaks marching away into the distance - is one of the most iconic views in the park. This is the image that pops into my mind when someone says "Zion".

courtesy JInnes

Paved Switchbacked Trail

Sublime Zion Canyon View

Refrigerator Canyon Bridge

We marched steadily uphill, back and forth up the sinuous trail. I was quite impressed with Katie - she showed remarkable enthusiasm and stamina for a four-year-old. Most of the time, she led the way at the front of the group, as we climbed one thousand feet up to the mouth of Refrigerator Canyon.

courtesy PChen

Sandstone Framing

The mouth of Refrigerator Canyon marked the beginning of a respite from the climbing, as the West Rim Trail began along a mostly flat stretch through the narrow and shady side canyon's bottom. Katie enjoyed exploring the little nooks and crannies eroded into the cross-bedded sandstone walls alongside the trail here.

courtesy JInnes

Up the wiggles

Next up, Walter's Wiggles: a cleverly-constructed rapid-fire set of 21 switchbacks that climb out of Refrigerator canyon and onto the sandstone spine behind Angel's Landing. The "wiggles" were engineered by Zion Park building foreman Walter Reusch back in the 1920s, when the West Rim Trail was built.

courtesy JInnes

Walter's Wiggles

With Katie still leading the way, we charged up to the top of Walter's Wiggles and arrived at Scout Lookout. From here, one gets a panoramic and precipitous view (if one is willing to stand close) down an absolutely vertical drop of over 1,000 feet into Zion Canyon. The West Rim Trail bent back north and continued its ascent up towards the high country. Our objective, however, was in a different direction: south, along the ever-narrowing spine of sandstone that connected to nearby Angel's Landing.

Scout Lookout Rest stop

First, though, a break. Our Katie-led charge to Scout Lookout had meant not much in the way of stops, and this was as fine a place as any to take a break. This would also mark the farthest extent of the trip for the kids, who were perhaps a bit too young to take on the exposed route to the top of Angel's Landing. Gillian, wanting a bit of adventure, wanted to do the route all the way to the top. Brian and Sandra weren't up for the trip to Angel's Landing's summit, and they graciously offered to take care of Katie and Evie while Gillian was away.

courtesy CDoucet

Katie, Scout Lookout

Chubby tag-alonger

Scout Lookout View

Now down to a still-respectable group of nine, we continued on along the route to Angel's Landing. Soon the safety chain started, and we began the scramble towards the top.

As mentioned earlier, the final half-mile to Angel's Landing's summit is along a very narrow spine of sandstone. There is some exposure in places - in some cases, off both sides of the trail. In any such places, the park service has embedded a chain-link railing for extra security.

courtesy PChen

Spine of the Angel

Upper Zion Canyon

Just how far is it?

We proceeded along at a decent pace - that is, when we weren't having to wait for other hikers coming and going along the narrow route. Angel's Landing is popular, and congestion along this section of trail is common. Do not come to this trail on the middle of a nice day and expect solitude!

courtesy RHanel

courtesy JInnes

Chains and People

Cut steps

Final ascent

At first, the final part of the route leads down to a shallow saddle. It then begins a climb, slowly rising at first and then getting progressively steeper towards the top. In addition to the chain, there are many steps and ramps chiselled out of the bedrock. Nowhere is the climb particularly difficult, from a technical perspective.

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