Angels Landing

Angels Landing

Angels Landing
Highest point
Elevation 5,790 ft (1,760 m)
Coordinates 37°16′10″N 112°56′53″W / 37.26944°N 112.94806°W / 37.26944; -112.94806Coordinates: 37°16′10″N 112°56′53″W / 37.26944°N 112.94806°W / 37.26944; -112.94806
Geography
Geology
Mountain type Monolith

Angels Landing, known earlier as the Temple of Aeolus,[1] is a 1,488-foot (454 m) tall rock formation[2] in Zion National Park in southern Utah. A trail, cut into solid rock in 1926, leads to the top of Angels Landing and provides a spectacular view of Zion Canyon.

Trail

The trail to Angels Landing is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long.[3] It begins at the Grotto drop off point on the park's shuttle system, which operates from early spring through late fall.[4] It roughly follows the path of the Virgin River for some time, slowly gaining elevation in sandy terrain. As the trail gets steeper and leaves behind 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,[3] are the last hurdle before Scout Lookout. Scout Lookout is generally the turnaround point for those who are unwilling to make the final summit push to the top of Angels Landing. The last half-mile of the trail is strenuous and littered with sharp drop offs and narrow paths. Chains to grip are provided for portions of the last half-mile to the top at 5,790 feet (1,760 m).[3]

According to the National Park Service, "The route to Angels Landing involves travel along a steep, narrow ridge with support chains anchored intermittently along the route. Footing can be slippery even when the rock is dry. Unevenly surfaced steps are cut into the rock with major cliff dropoffs adjacent. Keep off when it is wet, icy or thunderstorms are in the area. Plan to be off before dark. Younger children should skip this trail; older children must be closely supervised."[3] The National Park Service website officially recognizes five fatalities where suspicious activity was not involved along Angels Landing,[5] however other deaths have been reported.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

As of November 26, 2016, the youngest person to climb Angels Landing is a 4 year old girl, Hazel Roseborrough. The hike is not recommended for young children, however. Hazel has rock climbing experience and wore a rock climbing harness on the dangerous parts of the trail.

Gallery

Panorama of Zion National Park taken from Angels Landing (Zoom View)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Temple of Aeolus Archived March 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. (a stereogram taken in 1872), from the National Park System
  2. ↑ Zion National Park eHike
  3. 1 2 3 4 Angels Landing Trail Information Archived September 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. from the National Park System
  4. ↑ Lloyd, Tommy. "Angels Landing Hike - Not for the Faint of Heart". mountainranges.org. mountainranges. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions about Zion's Hiking Trails". Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Kelly Burgess (30 November 2009). "Woman falls to her death from Angels Landing in Zion National Park". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Glendora woman plunges 1,000 feet to death in Utah's Zion National Park". Los Angeles Times. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  8. ↑ David Eaker (10 June 2007). "Falling Fatality from Angels Landing in Zion National Park". U.S. National Park Service. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "Woman Dead After Fall in Zion National Park". The Associated Press. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  10. ↑ "California teen dies in fall at Utah park". USA TODAY. 27 June 2004. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  11. ↑ "Botched Rappel Blamed in Death of Zion Climber". Deseret News. 22 January 1997. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "Preliminary Autopsy Shows No Sign of Foul Play in Death of Zion Hiker But Park Service Officials, FBI Are Still Labeling Case as `Suspicious'". Deseret News. 5 April 1989. Retrieved 10 July 2011.

External links

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