Angels Landing
Angels Landing, Zion Canyon
Highest point
Elevation1,760 m (5,770 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Prominence430 ft (130 m)[1]
Parent peakCathedral Mountain (6,930 ft)[1]
Isolation0.3 mi (0.48 km)[1]
Listing
Coordinates37°16′10″N 112°56′53″W / 37.26944°N 112.94806°W / 37.26944; -112.94806
Geography
Angels Landing is located in the United States
Angels Landing
Angels Landing (the United States)
LocationZion National Park, Washington County, Utah
Topo mapUSGS Temple of Sinawava
Geology
Age of rockJurassic
Mountain typeMonolith
Type of rockNavajo Sandstone

Angels Landing, known previously as the Temple of Aeolus, is a 1,488-foot (454 m) tall rock formation[2] 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 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long with an approximate 1,500 feet (460 m) elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemite Decimal System.[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 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 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, 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.[5]

Scout Lookout is generally the turnaround point for those who are unwilling to make the final summit push to the top of Angels Landing.[6] 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 5,790 feet (1,760 m).[7]

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.[8]

As of 2023, 16 deaths have been confirmed at or near Angels Landing.[9]

In July 2018, the trail was closed following damage due to a severe storm and was reopened in September 2018.[10]

Since 2022, hikers who go beyond Scout Lookout have been required to have a permit.[11] 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.[12]

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 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.[13]

Climbing routes

Climbing Routes on Angels Landing include:[14]

Panorama of Zion National Park taken from Angels Landing with Cathedral Mountain left of center and the Great White Throne far right (Zoom View)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Angels Landing, Utah". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ Zion National Park eHike
  3. ↑ "Angel's Landing: Climbing, Hiking, and Mountaineering". summitpost.org. SummitPost. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  4. ↑ Lloyd, Tommy. "Angels Landing Hike - Not for the Faint of Heart". mountainranges.org. mountainranges. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Angel's Landing in Zion National Park". hikespeak.com. Hikespeak. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
  6. ↑ "Angels Landing Permits & Hiking". National Park Service. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ Annie, Hartman (12 July 2018). "Angels Landing Is One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the US". Curiosity: Amazing Places. curiosity.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  8. ↑ Jurale, Jim; Witherall, Nancy (1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Multiple Resources for Zion National Park". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
  9. ↑ "Angels Landing Deaths List: How Many People Have Died?". The World Travel Guy. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  10. ↑ Bultrus, Aly (2018-09-21). "Angels Landing Reopens Following Storm - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  11. ↑ Plans for Angels Landing Permit
  12. ↑ Angels Landing Permits
  13. ↑ "Zion National Park, Utah, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  14. ↑ "Climbing Route Search". SuperTopo.com. Retrieved 12 Apr 2021.
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