Angels Landing Explained

Fetchwikidata:ALL
Angels Landing
Prominence Ft:430
Isolation Mi:0.3
Parent Peak:Cathedral Mountain (6,930 ft)
Map:Utah#USA
Map Size:250
Label Position:none
Location:Zion National Park, Washington County, Utah
Coordinates:37.2694°N -112.9481°W
Topo:USGS Temple of Sinawava
Type:Monolith
Age:Jurassic
Rock:Navajo Sandstone

Angels Landing, known previously as the Temple of Aeolus, is a 1488feet tall rock formation[1] in Zion National Park in southwestern Utah, United States. A renowned trail cut into solid rock in 1926 leads to the top of Angels Landing and provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon.

Trail

The trail to Angels Landing is 2.5miles long with an approximate 1500feet elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemite Decimal System.[2] It begins at the Grotto drop-off point on the park's shuttle system, which operates from early spring through late fall.[3] 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.[4]

Scout Lookout is generally the turnaround point for those who are unwilling to make the final summit push to the top of Angels Landing.[5] 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 5790feet.[6]

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.[7] As of 2024, 18 deaths have been confirmed at or near Angels Landing.[8]

In July 2018, the trail was closed following damage due to a severe storm and was reopened in September 2018.[9]

Since 2022, hikers who go beyond Scout Lookout have been required to have a permit.[10] 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.[11]

Climate

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 10abbr=offNaNabbr=off of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.[12]

Climbing routes

Climbing routes on Angels Landing include:[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.nps.gov/featurecontent/zion/eHike.htm Zion National Park eHike
  2. Web site: Angel's Landing: Climbing, Hiking, and Mountaineering. summitpost.org. SummitPost. 17 December 2017.
  3. Web site: Lloyd . Tommy . 1 December 2015 . Angels Landing Hike – Not for the Faint of Heart . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208063404/http://mountainranges.org/2015/12/angels-landing-hike/ . dead . 8 December 2015 . MountainRanges.org . 4 December 2015.
  4. Web site: Angel's Landing in Zion National Park . Hikespeak . 4 January 2017.
  5. Web site: 4 April 2023 . Angels Landing Permits & Hiking . 5 April 2023 . National Park Service.
  6. Web site: Hartman . Annie . Angels Landing Is One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the US . . 23 August 2018 . 12 July 2018.
  7. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=64000878}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Multiple Resources for Zion National Park ]. Jurale . Jim . Witherall . Nancy . 1984. National Park Service . 3 September 2009.
  8. Web site: 5 September 2023 . Angels Landing Deaths List: How Many People Have Died? . 15 September 2023 . The World Travel Guy.
  9. Web site: Bultrus. Aly. 21 September 2018. Angels Landing Reopens Following Storm – Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181001222034/https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/angels-landing-reopens-following-storm.htm. 1 October 2018 . 18 February 2021 . National Park Service.
  10. Web site: Angels Landing in Zion NP piloting permit program in 2022 . National Park Service.
  11. Web site: Angels Landing Permits & Hiking . National Park Service.
  12. Web site: Climate and monthly weather forecast Zion National Park, UT . Weather U.S. . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152638/https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/zion-national-park-climate . 27 January 2019 . live.
  13. Web site: Climbing Route Search . SuperTopo . 12 April 2021.