RING! — The alarm of my iPod is ringing in my ear telling me that it’s time to wake up.
It’s 7:30AM on the dot and I know that if I want to hike Angels Landing, I need to be at the base bright and early to ensure I don’t run into any pedestrian traffic on the trail.
I quickly roll out of bed with a smile on my face. Why? Well, because today I’m going to be hiking Angels Landing, one of Zion National Park’s toughest trails. Supposedly this hike is quite the challenge and as you know, I’m all about crushing any challenge that comes my way.
Today my mission is to see how fast I can ascend Angels Landing. While it’s probably not the brightest idea to scurry on up to the top of this beast, it’s something I’ve set my mind to at this point so I’m going through with it.
Note: I’ve done a little bit of research and it seems to me that the average hiker completes this hike in approximately 90 minutes (one-way).
Hiking Angels Landing
As soon as the park shuttle dropped me off at the Grotto Picnic Area, I made a beeline for the initial trail head that would lead me up past Scout Lookout and on towards the Angels Landing Trail.
The first half mile of the trail runs along the Virgin River while slowly gaining elevation. Once it starts getting steeper, the trail turns into a mixture of pavement and solid rock terrain.
Although I was on a mission to conquer this hike, I made a few photo pit stops along the way, and rightfully so.
After this point, the hike started to get pretty tough. Cardio wise at least. Although I think of myself to be pretty fit, I was huffing and puffing due to the steep incline of the trail.
Take a look at how the trail has changed from dirt to a paved, maintained trail.
The photos above show how the trail actually winds its way around the edge of the cliff face.
Arriving at Scout Point
After a series of steep switchbacks (21 to be exact), I arrived at Scout Point. Scout Point is known as the “turnaround” for most people as they take one good look at the last half mile to get to the top of Angels Landing, and they say “Screw this, I’ve had enough!”
Stop here? Not today my friends!
I’m on a mission and I knew I was making a great pace. My gut was telling me that I could conquer Angels Landing from start to finish in less than an hour. Will I make it?
Below, you’ll see one of the many reasons why people call it quits at Scout Point.
With a 1,000 ft drop on either side, the “courtesy chain” dangling on the left and the slippery sandstone only makes this part of the hike that much more horrifying.
Note: I have no real problem with heights or situations of this nature. DO YOU? Leave a comment below!
The Final Stretch
I continued my way over the big hump shown above at a speedy pace. The hike was becoming a lot more technical at this point. There were large step ups and sometimes use of the chain was necessary just to get yourself to the next gigantic boulder.
Take a look at these views though.
Just a few more big, carefully placed steps and I had officially arrived at Angels Landing with my life still intact.
After snapping the photo shown above, I took one quick look at my clock and realized I had achieved my goal of hiking Angels Landing from start to finish in under an hour!
Official Start Time: 8:35 AM
End: 9:32 AM
After one hell of a climb and a workout all I wanted to do was relax and take in the views. So that’s exactly what I did. I kicked back and enjoyed every minute of my time atop Angels Landing.
Whenever I am trying to find different activities or resources, Globo Surf is definitively the ideal program for it.
DON’T MISS: Zion National Park: 14 Stunning Photos That You Have To See!
Have you ever visited Zion National Park? If so, have you hiked Angels Landing? I would love to hear your thoughts!
I have! Almost nine years ago, I was a student living in a Navajo reservation for six weeks. My last weekend in that area, I drove to the Grand Canyon and hiked for a few hours, then drove to Zion and spent the night. That morning it as raining, but I was determined to hike the toughest trail. Angels Landing it was! Thankfully, I was very careful and summited and descended in one piece! Looking at your photos, I realize that at that time I was such a novice hiker (I am from a big city) and a little crazy to do a hike like that in slippery terrain while it was raining. Gorgeous photos and it is nice to see the landscape in sun!
Hey April, thanks for sharing your experience at Zion National Park. Sounds like you are quite the adventurous soul. I love it! Kudos to you for hiking Angels Landing, very impressive. Especially in the rain! Did you happen to do any other hikes in the park during your visit?
Thanks again for the comment, I love hearing peoples experiences from their travels. Thanks for following along and be sure to stop in and say Hi from time to time!
I hiked Angel’s Landing in July and totally loved it. It was the perfect challenge for me. I have zero fear of heights, but I was kind of surprised by how dangerous it is. I may be the clumsiest person I’ve ever met and I was thankful that I didn’t trip on some of the more perilous sections. I really loved it and I’d looking forward to my next trip out west for me hiking and outdoorsy beauty.
Hey Alanna, you know what I was very surprised by how dangerous it was as well. I was chatting with my father a few days ago and he’s like how do they allow any joe schmo to head on up there and try to make their way across the slippery sandstone. It just didn’t make sense to him. He makes a great point though! All I know is that I’m glad I did it. It was an incredible experience to say the least!
Where’s your next trip? Anything planned?
I don’t have anything planned right now. I spent five weeks out in the Utah/Idaho/Wyoming area and loved it. I didn’t want to have to come back east, but my fellow travelers had jobs and life to get back to and I haven’t yet ventured into solo travel. I’m kind of terrible at meeting people. For now, I’m just chilling in New York waiting to figure out my next move.
Cool. I have yet to visit Idaho or Wyoming. I hope to get there at some point in the near future. You seem like you would be the perfect “solo traveler”. I think you should really think about taking off on an adventure of your own. Maybe you could blog about it!? When it comes to meeting people, have you ever looked into CouchSurfing? Even if you don’t want to host/surf, you can still attend local meetups in your city. There, you will find all sorts of like minded people. People who love travel, outdoors, hiking, and more. It might be a great way for you to open up and make a few new travel buddies. Just an idea! Let me know how it works out for you. Talk soon.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about Kyle! I saw a small group of people hanging around like it was the end and I thought to myself… “No way!” You’re spot on with your description of the “perilous tightline” of a hike, that’s for sure. I can’t believe you managed it in the snow. You are seriously a trooper my friend! I, too, made some friends on the way down. As for meeting someone up top that shares an acquaintance with you. Now that’s a SMALL WORLD!
P.S. – I met a few kids atop Angels Landing that were telling me that they talked to some guys who had hiked it at night with no headlamps or anything. They used the moonlight to guide their way. Is that not the most absurd thing you’ve ever heard? You and I both know how dark the desert gets once the sun sets. I’m not sure I believe these guys. What do you think?
A few days after a did angel’s landing, my friends and I decided to hike mount timpanogos. It’s a slow climb and the hike is about 14 miles round trip with 5,000ft elevation gain. But we decided to do it at night. We started at 1:30am and hit the submit just in time for sunrise. We brought headlambs, but they were totally unnecessary because of the full moon. It was really amazing. The weather was perfect, the wildflowers were in fullbloom and we ran into some amazing animals. Now Timp isn’t in the red rock part of Utah, it’s near provo. But those outdoorsy folk do some crazy things…
Wow, you seem to be quite the hiker Alanna. It’s great to have you here sharing your experiences with us. Sounds like that hike you did would be right up my alley!
Totally dangerous! BARE FEET in the snow is outrageous. She must have no feeling in her feet. I get cold just thinking of winter. YUCK!
I STILL haven’t been to The States! There looks like there is so much wonderful nature to see and hiking to be done…can’t wait to get there one day :) Have a while to go before I’m a hiking expert like you though I think, haha.
WOW! While we don’t have the best transportation system in the world, we do have some amazing sights, national parks, and more to see here! When you do decide to come this way, be sure to contact me and I’ll guide you in the right direction. As for me and hiking, we just met! ;-)
Go on walking and hiking, is really an adventure. When i was in school, i went to a hiking trip and that time i realize the happiness of living life on edge. That thrills me a lot!
Hi Ryan, thank you for the informative post! I’m actually thinking of hiking Angel’s Landing for my 30th birthday solo! I’m not an experienced hiker whatsoever, but I’ve gone to the top of Huayna Picchu. Have you done this hike? And if so, how do you think it compares?
I follow you on IG btw and love your photos! :)
No problem, Jewlz. I have not done Huayna Picchu but what I do know is that you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to hike Angel’s Landing. The only issues I’ve seen people encounter on this hike are the parts where you have to scramble (hands and feet while holding onto the chains on the side of the trail and if you have any issues with heights it might be a little nerve wracking. Thanks for following along on IG! Best of luck.
Thank you so much Ryan! I think I’m going to give it a go! :)
Awesome! Best of luck. You’ll do fine.