Hiking one of the world's most dangerous trails | Angels Landing Trail

Описание: Angels is as popular as ever but it was less crowded than I expected at the top. Doing this hike at the time when Covid 19 is abating and national parks are seeing record attendance, I expected a crowded Angels Landing especially at the chains section.

Here are some helpful info for 2021 for Zion National Park and Angels Landing in particular:

ANGELS LANDING INFO:

Quick tips to hike Angels Landing safely:
Biggest safety factor is weather: If there is rain, snow, high winds and/or thunderstorms, reserve this hike for another day. If you must go, proceed with caution and go as far as the Scout Lookout.
Hike early: It gets crowded and more perilous in the chains section during midday to late afternoon so plan your trip accordingly. Hike or bike to the trailhead before the shuttles to get an early start.
Bring lots of water and energy food: There are no water provisions or water source in this trail so bring enough especially on a hot day. Additionally, this trail is exposed with very little shade at the top past Scout Lookout.
Uee gloves for the chains and rock scrambling. You don't need specialized gloves. Basic gloves preferably those with rubberized grip will be a ton of help navigating the chains and rock scrambling.

Baby Owl perched on one of the rock outcroppings right before the Walter's Wiggles. There is a sign a quarter mile back to alert hikers to keep the noise down so the owl family is not disturbed. This is as of mid June 2021 when I did my hike. Enjoy the show, take pictures but please keep as far a distance from the owlet. It is on the right side of the trail in a rock outcropping when hiking up.

Zion Lodge Guests: If you are staying at the Lodge, you can hike right from the lodge to the trailhead (The Grotto) which is about half a mile so you can start as early as you want. Start before sunrise.

Bike to the Trailhead: Another option to getting to the trailhead especially if you want to hike early and get a headstart is to bike to trailhead. If you don't have a bike, there are rentals available at Springdale.

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GENERAL ZION PARK UPDATES (June 2021)

Zion National Park Timed Shuttle Tickets are no longer needed to board the shuttle. Those who purchased tickets will not get refund but will have boarding priority.

Zion Visitor Center parking lot is full by 7 a.m. so if you are hoping to park at the visitor center, you gotta be in before 6:30 a.m.

Following Zion Shuttle stops are currently closed:
Stop #2: Museum
Stop #3: Canyon Junction
Stop #4: Court of the Patriarchs
Stop #7: Weeping Rock (closed due to rock slide covering part of the trail)

Observation Point hike alternative: Weeping Rock trailhead is fenced off due to a big rockslide. You can still go to Observation Point via East Mesa Trail. It's a pretty flat 6.7 mile out and back hike and you have to drive around to the east side of the park.

South Campground is now open. After brief closure due to maintenance, South Campground is now available for reservation. This is one of the more popular campgrounds given its easy access to the Zion Springdale entrance, Pa'rus and Watchman trails and to Shuttle Stop #1.

Showers are available at Springdale right outside the Visitor Center for $4.

Alternative ways to access the Park: Since private vehicles are not allowed on the Scenic Canyon Drive, the following are alternatives on getting to the different areas past the Canyon Junction:

1. Bike: either with your own or through rentals (do the ebike), this is one of the best ways to explore the park and get to the trailheads.

2. Book a private shuttle: private commercial shuttles are available and they are allowed to go into the park up to the last stop (Temple of Sinawava/Narrows). I saw quite a few taking this option who were doing the Narrows hike.

3. Stay at Zion Lodge: a bit on the pricey side but if you are staying at the Lodge, you will be able to park relatively close to the trailheads with the lodge location being midpoint of the Scenic Canyon Drive and one of the shuttle stops.

4. Hike: If you decide to hike up to the various spots, Pa'rus Trail is about 1.7 miles from the Visitor Center to the Canyon Junction, and then another 6 miles to the end of Canyon Scenic Drive or Temple of Sinawava/start of the Narrows Hike.

Best way to explore the park is to bike or e-bike: You can get to your trailhead earlier than the shuttle bus which is ideal if you are doing the Angel's Landing among other things. As a word of caution, the canyon drive is pretty narrow in some areas and you need to dismount to let the Zion Shuttle pass.

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