Angels Landing is a strenuous day hike in Zion National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Utah.http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/directions.htm Standing at an elevation of 5,785 feet above sea level, hikers experience a steep hike, rising nearly 1,500 feet in just 2.5 miles of trail.http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/zion/angels_landing.html

The name for the peak was coined in 1916 Frederick Fisher, who was exploring the canyon with three others and who said, upon looking at the mountain, that it was a place where only an angel could land.http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm Located at the point in which Zion Canyon curves, the summit of Angels Landing boasts spectacular views of both portions; however, the climb to the top is steep with numerous drop-offs, so the National Park Service recommends against those with a fear of heights attempting the climb.http://www.zion-national-park.info/angels-landing.htm http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hiking-in-zion.htm

The trailhead for the Angels Landing hike is located at the Grotto picnic area and is accessible from April through October by park shuttle (shuttle stop 5), and by car during the other months of the year.http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/zion/angels_landing.html http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-shuttle-system.htm From the Grotto, hikers cross the Virgin River via foot bridge and head north onto the trail.http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm

Across the river, hikers travel a well maintained but steep trail through brush until the trail moves closer to the mountain.http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm The trail, at points paved, continues to climb along the side of the mountain before turning west into a stretch of more level ground called the “Refrigerator Canyon.”http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm The Refrigerator Canyon is so named because the combination of shade and running water within the area keep it much cooler than the rest of the trail.http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1938

Once through the Refrigerator Canyon, hikers must traverse Walter’s Wiggles, a steep series switchbacks named for their builder, Walter Ruesch.http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1938 Hikers climb hundreds of feet on the Wiggles, with 21 switchbacks in all, in direct sunlight.http://www.takemytrip.com/09loneliest/08n_48a.htm

As hikers finish the last of the Walter’s Wiggles switchbacks, they have reached Scout’s Lookout, a point of decision for many climbers.http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion/angels_landing.htm Hikers can stop for a rest here, take advantage of a restroom located just off the trail, and take a closer look at the more exciting and difficult part of the trail ahead of them.http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion/angels_landing.htm Because of the danger involved in the last half mile of the Angels Landing hike, many simply enjoy the views of the canyon at Scout’s Lookout and then head back down.

The final half mile of Angels Landing takes hikers 500 feet up and across a narrow ridge of the mountain.http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/angelslanding.cfm Hikers take advantage of a series of chains and poles embedded in the rock to pull, climb, and scramble up the rocky terrain.http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/angelslanding.cfm The most dangerous portions of this part of the hike involve 1,200 foot drop-offs on both sides of a 3 foot wide trail.http://www.takemytrip.com/09loneliest/08n_48a.htm However, once a hiker has made it to the top, they are rewarded with amazing views of the park.