- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Angel's Landing
- Good for Kids:
- No
15 reviews for Angel's Landing
15 reviews in English
-
Review from D C.
Santa Ana, CA
12/11/2011
Some things are much, MUCH more scarier than they really are, and hiking Angel's Landing is one of those things.
Aside from going on an adventure with my best friends, Angel's Landing was a challenge that I have always wanted to defeat and a feat that I wanted to place under my belt. These reasons and more compelled me to ask my best friend Hoa to organize a trip to Zion, Utah last spring. Looking at the slice of rock that is Angel's Landing, the thought of climbing up something that narrow and steep can be daunting and intimidating, especially after hearing knowing it's difficulty level and deaths.
I actually almost chickened out of it right before hitting the base of Angel's Landing. Prior to, while hiking on the Grotto trailhead toward Angel's Landing, I met a man who appeared to be an incredibly strong hiker. He flew past me and I eventually saw him again on his way back down. He told me that it was way too rocky and slippery to climb up and strongly discouraged me from doing it.
Since I have the tendency to do things that scares the sh*t out of me, I decided to climb up anyway, but with extra caution, of course. It was definitely not as bad as anyone have described. My realization: Don't ever listen to people that have not done it. There is a reason for that! *cough*coward*cough*
Just make sure you hang onto the chains on the sides and if you're in any way nervous, NEVER look down! Once you are finally on top, you will be able to look down with no fear. The overwhelming feeling of being on top of the world will conquer all.
Highlight of my trip: Laying on top of the peak, enjoying the breathtaking views, fresh clean air, not a care in the world, and enjoying my packed lunch. Never had a bologna and cheese tasted better. :)
This is a relatively short hike. From what I can recall, we completed it in just a few hours, and taking our sweet time for breaks and enjoying the view. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes with good traction as the hike can get slippery as certain points. -
Review from Daniel Y.
La Palma, CA
4/11/2012
Angel's Landing: This is the highest elevation we hiked (skipped Observation Point...) and it was amazing. Walter's Wiggles, the 21 or so switchbacks, will take a lot out of you, so be sure to bring sufficient water. Snacks would be nice too. We ended up having a picnic at the very top of the rocky area, just be careful not to let the chipmunks eat and remember to leave no trace.
All in all, nothing short of amazing! I drove all the way from California to Zion to hike this one trail in a random weekend. -
Review from Shelley W.
Riverside, CA
4/8/2012
Oh my goodness, the most breathtaking view once you get up there. The switchback part of Scouts Lookout was the most brutal for me.. definitely a strenuous part. After that it's like half a mile up to Angel's Landing, and it's more scary (if you're afraid of heights) than tiring. Thankfully there's sets of chains because if not I would have peed in my pants out of fear!
The earlier you get here the better! By noon it was congested and pretty hot. There's only one way up and down so at parts you have to wait on the side while others pass you and others will wait for you to pass them to go up! -
Review from Arnold S.
New York, NY
11/23/2011
The first 2 miles up to Scout's Lookout are moderately difficult from a CV standpoint, but it is a nice hike, portions reminded me of Hidden Canyon. Walter's Wiggles are a section of switchbacks that are pretty steep and unique, good for pics. Scout's Lookout itself has some great views, and is the point where the acrophobes stop. Beyond that is a 1/2 mile up to Angel's Landing.
This is a VERY exposed section of "trail" along narrow rocks, small steps, and sheer cliff edges. I'm not afraid of heights per se (at least, not any more than the next guy), but I was tense and fearful proceeding up. But proceed I did. I did not like anyone in front of or behind me b/c I found it distracting. Some people passed me up -- I was totally ok with that, I think it is crucial for people to do AL at their own pace, whatever that may be. Some people were very comfortable the entire time -- engaging in small talk and laughing, others (like me) were more guarded, relatively silent, focused on every step, every hand grab onto the chain that was present about 70% of the way up.
And unlike say Observation Point where there is a big clearing up top with plenty of space to rest and eat, the top of Angel's Landing is itself precarious -- slanted on both sides, big wind gushes preventing me from being totally comfortable even up there.
All in all this is a one-of-a-kind hike -- frightening, but exhilarating. -
Review from Danette J.
San Diego, CA
8/8/2011
Dear Angel's landing... you were definitely the first trail to make me cry and almost, ALMOST pee my pants.
This is not a trail for the light at heart. My fiancee and I did this back in May 2006 (Review long overdue I know) and has been our most 'talked about trail to date. I was a trail novice and was dressed in a tube top (I know) short khaki shorts (I know) and running shoes. Only my fiancee had a backpack on with water for the two of us... and of course I didn't wear a hat.
Needless to say... I was in great shape and had no real problem with the hike until I reached the first set of switchbacks... they are long but at least partially shaded. You can't really hear your calves screaming at you because you're too busy checking out the amazing views and vibrant colors of the valley.
Right before you get to Scout's landing you get to the 2nd pair of switchbacks which made me hate my life for the duration of the climb. A little past Scout's landing I sat down by a small tree and was freaking out about doing the rest of the climb. I'm deathly afraid of heights and the trail is 5ft wide with 1200 & 1800 ft drops on both sides. It didn't help that there were LOTS of people's names etched 'RIP...." in the stone. my fiancee told me to wait for him there at the tree and he would go up by himself. I told him ok... until I spot a grandfather taking his 8 year old grand daughter on the trail on a leash.
I swear if it wasn't for them I would have stayed there until my fiancee got back, but after seeing that I got right up and said "Ok let's do this before I change my mind" So up we went... the grandfather eventually turned around because it was pretty damn scary. Those chains don't do anything!! There's this one part where I'm literally less than a foot from the edge!! ahhhh!! Holy Shit!
But let me tell you something... the views from the top kick all of the hike's I've been on's ASS!! I felt like I was in a painting! You know when movies get corny and they say " now you're one with the world' well, as corny as it sounds... that's how it felt.
Not only does this trail test your fears, it also lets you see one of the most amazing views in the U-S of A....
I doubt I will do this hike again in my lifetime... but it was truly epic... -
Review from Phillip N.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2011 7 photos
Review 199 and I'm dedicating it to the trial I didn't conquer but will in the future.
Even though I didn't make it to the very top, I made it through the first set of chains and the view was spectacular (my video: http://www.youtube.com...). Actually, the view was spectacular all the way up. So many rich colors for the senses. I loved every minute up and every minute down. Met some great people too.
Next time, I will conquer you!
I don't really fear heights but I fear dying and using chains to climb up is something I need to mentally prepare for. My plan of action is to go early morning--where I don't have to worry about people behind me and feeling rush.
Definitely don't want to feel rush when there are drop-offs on both sides, your main support is chains, and the foothold is slanted (random Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com...).
General Facts:
--Angels Landing via West Rim Trail starts from the Grotto shuttle stop
--2-4 hours to complete
--5.4 miles round-trip
--Approximately 1500 ft elevation change
http://www.zionnationa... -
Review from Ellen C.
6/9/2010
Taking a a shuttle from our campsite to the beginning of our 5 mile round trip hike, we made it to Angel's Landing. The hike itself was strenuous, but then there were steep rocks where you had to use chains to hoist yourself.
This hike is not one for a fear of heights. At some points, all you had was a chain and a 2 foot wide rock ledge to climb over. When you do make it to the top, the view is spectacular. Its breathtaking what God can create with water. I can understand why its called Angel's Landing.
At some points, I wanted to give up, but I saw elderly people with canes doing it. How embarrassing if they can do it and I can't.
Well worth it. When you reach the bottom, there's a creek. Dip your feet in there to congratulate them on their hard work
FYI; do the hike as early in the morning as possible and you may need gloves because the chain can get hot. Bring lots of water and bars. -
Review from Travis H.
Pasadena, CA
6/20/2010 7 photos
One of the more beautiful hikes I have done. As you rise in elevation the views just get better and better. Overall the roundtrip is only 5 miles, probally the first two miles is 30-40% switchbacks. The last .5ml is more difficult as you use chain pully and need a bit of ballance to wind up the narrow cliffs to Angels Landing.
For a novice this is a good days hike, for more experiences it would be a medium at best but well worth it by leaps and bounds.
The temp was in the mid 90's when we went, so as with any hikes have plently of water and some protien to replenish as the heat and rise in elevation will get you in the hot summer months in these canyons. The shuttles are very convienient here and is only 20 min ride from the base next to South Campground. -
Review from M C.
Alexandria, VA
10/31/2011
First, you'll note at the heading that this is 'good for kids' .. NOT!
Maybe 10+ year olds, but please for the sake of the rest of us, don't take anyone younger.
This is the most insane and spectacular day hike in the U.S. that I"m aware of. I had heard from a friend that it was insane but the pictures don't really tell the story because its just so high and drop offs so sheer.
The first part, up to Scout Landing is a pretty easy if you are fit, all up hill with plenty of switchbacks, incredible views and nice stroll past canyon walls and dry creek bed all the while gaining elevation. This part is paved amazingly enough- beats doing trail maintenance i guess.
When we arrived at Scouts Landing-a spacious area (with pit bathrooms) I wasn't sure what to expect next. I looked up at the far plateau and saw tiny people up there and honestly thought, wow thats a cool place, I guess they got there from another trail on the otherside of the canyon. Then I saw more tiny people picking their up way up the near edge of that ridge and my stomach turned. Holy S--t!! I realized then that THAT was the trail and that high platform was Angels Landing! I'm not afraid of heights, have rock climbed and rappelled with ropes, and done some crazy stuff in my day but-- hello???
So at first I doubted that I would do it, but just thought, do a little bit and you can always turn around. My husband immediately balked at going so I started out alone. The chains set along the climb are a god-send- I would not have made it without them or it would have taken ALOT longer. Some debate their benefit, but it would take alot more time to find hand holds on the rocks and slow down the flow of people tremendously. They give you a MUCH needed feeling of security which when staring down 1000 feet you will desperately need.
It takes about 20-30 minutes? to climb from Scouts to Angels Landing-- Some go slow, some go faster. there is room to pass carefully and people are coming down the same route. When you get to the top its just amazing of course. There is plenty of room to eat lunch and enjoy the time and its open and 'flat' enough to stop feeling scared.
You can never stop being careful, but you can relax and feel very proud of yourself for having just done the craziest thing you've done in a long time!
The trip down was so much easier than going up- hard to explain because you can now see where you would fall it you did, but it was just easier. Maybe you get comfortable with the height and feel more sure footed?
Anyway, that day I saw a Buddhist monk barefooted in his robes, and a man with not 1, but 2 prosthetic legs do this climb up to the top landing-- amazing! -
Review from Thao T.
5/27/2011
Hard as heck for me, but totally worth it. The hike to Scout's landing is probbaly the roughest, since the switchbacks entering and then Walter's Wiggles nearly took all the air out of my lungs and strength in my legs (~2miles) . However, once reaching Scout's we took a ten minute break, ate a little, and made our way to Angel's Landing. The hike was not nearly as scary as the guidebooks described with the path being only 5ft wide. The chains definitely made me feel like I wasn't going to fall and after a relatively slow climb (don't worry about going slow, there aren't a whole lot of people rushing to get past you to get up there quickly). I'm somewhat scared of heights, mainly being up too high and falling off the side of a mountain. However, I avoided looking down whenever I felt scared, and only looked down when I was sitting safely on a rock about 5 ft in. The wind at the top almost knocked me over, but luckily it didn't last long. We were very happy and proud to have finished!
I definitely would not let my kids do Angel's Landing. The teenagers behind us were annoying enough, trying to run and jump down without using the chains. The descent back down to the start of the trail takes less than an hour since it's all downhill. If you want to show off, you can run down like some people we saw. But I'm not going to pretend that the hike up wasn't incredibly hard. -
Review from Tony C.
Huntington Beach, CA
5/19/2011
This hike is one of the best I have done in Utah. The elevation makes breathing a bit more challenging and the sheer drops might not be for the faint of heart. I did this hike in mid-December 2010 in a monsoon which added to the challenge and decreased the visibility. Looking forward to doing this again this summer when southern Utah turns into a furnace. I loved the adrenalin rush that this trail provides and the views that I was able to take in when the weather cleared periodically. If you end up in Zion, this hike is highly recommended.
-
Review from Jeff M.
6/24/2011
Holy crap, I didn't know you can rate trails on Yelp! I knew about Angels Landing. Due to time constraints, I didn't think we would have time to do this hike. I went to the gift shop and saw the T-shirts, not only for those who did the hike, but also for those failed to complete the hike. The next morning, we were motivated and decided to do the hike. We checked Wikipedia: the first section is called Fatalities. This isn't for the faint of heart. Not for small children. Not for people with fear of heights. It's over 5 miles round trip. The first mile a steady but meandering incline. The second mile culminates in the awesome set of switchbacks called Walter's Wiggles. (My brother called this Zion's Zigzags.) The final stretch is the treacherous, exhilarating, and mind-numblingly beautiful hike from Scout's Lookout to Angels Landing. You will be on a several-foot-wide spine with several-thousand-foot cliffs and drops on either side. I passed a girl in this area who was shaking because of fear. It's both legs and arms you get to work out. These are chains along the way. Not for the whole time, but enough to suggest the route to the top. This final stretch is not long in mileage, but it's extremely slow. Especially since it's narrow and you're dealing with two-way traffic. Once you get to the top, it justifies the experience. Try to enjoy the top and not worry about the trek down. An absolutely gorgeous view at the top. One of best hikes of my life. Incredible camaraderie with strangers you meet on this trail. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
-
Review from Jocelyn K.
Los Angeles, CA
8/15/2011
this was totally azzkicking. went dreading this hike and the first mile was eaaaasy. then the incline kicks in and it is a straight climb and then it's killer. the 21 zig zags are insane and not for the weak. i wanted to quit so many times but only continued to prove my friends wrong. i'm prideful. haha. anyways, met a really nice guy that already climbed the mountain and was on his way down and he advised us that if you're scared of heights, you should stay clear cus it's extremely scary as he was hyperventilating. ok that got me amped cus i love heights. anyways, after walking for what seemed like endless hours, we finally reached the rocks/chains. a few of us decided to go ahead while the rest stayed back. i personally don't think it was too scary but it was quite slippery and i have 2 left feet so it was a bit hard maintaining my balance. (my friend thought i fell off the mountain cus she couldn't find me. lawlz.) after many many rocks, we finally reached the endpoint! it was beautiful.
so in a nutshell.
is it worth it? eh.. but you totally get bragging rights.
if you decide to hike this, take ALOT of water. wear tons of sunscreen and wear good shoes.
prepare yourself mentally and physically cus this will wear you down.
would i do it again? yes but not for a while. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Phoenix, AZ
6/13/2010
there's a story about this point that i heard from a ranger at zion. apparently some mormon settlers spotted this vista from across the canyon, commenting that only an angel could land there, thus creating the name angel's landing. i don't know how true it is, but i the story makes me smile so i'm sharing it. this hike is phenomenal. we wimped out after the first set of chains because of large crowds. crowds make this hike infinitely more dangerous. there were some bratty 10-12 year olds who almost knocked a senior citizen off the cliff (parents, manage your kids!). the views, even from the false summit, were amazingly beautiful. the hike was challenging, but certainly not impossible for most. owning walter's wiggles felt great. if you fear heights, plan to stop the hike early ... there are plenty accomplishments to have along the way and beautiful views long before you summit.
-
Review from ali a.
Irvine, CA
6/20/2010 3 photos
Angel's Landing...amazing. The first 2 miles are actually fairly easy, very clearly paved path and not extreme elevation gain. We actually ended up going off the path and hiking along the riverbed for a 1/2 mile to make it more exciting, although rangers would tell you that you shouldn't do that. but the last 1/2 mile, that's where it gets amazing. pictures don't do it justice because they don't really give you a true sense of what the climb will look like. yes, it goes from a hike to a climb. standing at the bottom of the climb we looked up and were in awe...my sister actually got scared and was about to back out but ended up going for it. it was a great climb, and the view from the top was priceless! done alot of hikes and climbs at many national parks, this one ranks right up there with the best!
