Trip Report: November 3, 2019
2019 UTAH ADVENTURE VACATION
Angel’s Landing & West Rim Viewpoint Day Hike
Scout Lookout
Angel’s Landing (5790′)
Behunin Gap
Cabin Spring Junction
West Rim Viewpoint (6800′)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Utah
Sub-Region: Southwestern Utah
Area: Zion National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Lower West Rim Trailhead at The Grotto on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (Elev. 4280 feet)
Way Points: North Fork Virgin River Bridge & Refrigerator Canyon & Walter’s Wiggles & Scout Lookout & Behunin Gap & Cabin Spring Junction (hike via West Rim Trail)
Summit: Angel’s Landing (chain-assisted rock scramble via Northwest Ridge)
Sidetrip: West Rim Viewpoint (off-trail hike)
Sidetrip: Cabin Spring (trail hike)
Approximate Stats (including sidetrips): 11 miles traveled; 3700 feet gained & lost; 5.4 hours up; 3.2 hours down.
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Angels Landing via West Rim Trail—Chain Route – November 6, 2020
Full Trip Report
Eileen and I began our vacation in Zion National Park with a hike and scramble on the spectacular West Rim. Starting at The Grotto (shuttle bus stop #3), we crossed the North Fork Virgin River and hiked up the West Rim Trail. Most of this trail is paved with a sand-rich concrete to protect it from erosion while maintaining a somewhat natural appearance.
The first 2 miles of trail switchbacks up an improbably steep, rocky headwall, gaining almost 1000 vertical feet. In many locations, the downslope edge of the trail is supported by impressive stone retaining walls that even the Incas would be proud to call their own.
Upon reaching the top of the headwall, the trail makes a shady traverse through Refrigerator Canyon, then ascends another set of switchbacks. This higher set—fondly called “Walter’s Wiggles” in honor of the park ranger who designed the route—is even more impressive than the lower set.
Walter’s Wiggles end at Scout Lookout, a popular viewpoint and a satisfying turnaround point for most tourists. On this chilly November morning, there were several hundred people lounging about.
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From here, Eileen and I made a sidetrip up nearby Angels Landing. The ascent of this iconic sandstone pinnacle is quite exposed but, thankfully, is aided by robust steel chains in the fashion of a European via ferrata.
We topped out on the summit of Angels Landing in late morning (1.6 hours + 1500 feet from TH) and spent 30 minutes soaking in both solar heat and canyon views.
After a careful retreat from the summit, involving lots of two-way traffic, we continued up the West Rim Trail toward Behunin Gap and Camp Spring Junction. The trail crosses large expanses of slabby sandstone above Scout Lookout, but the route is well-marked with stylish footprint signs. Or were these backcountry billboards for Vibram boot soles?
The next 3 miles of trail have been carved into sandstone cliffs that range from moderately steep to nearly vertical. This undoubtedly required a lot of blasting to construct!
Throughout most of our hike, the trail surface consisted of either solid bedrock or concrete. If you’ve ever considered buying rubber tips for your trekking poles, this would be the time.
We reached Camp Spring Junction in mid-afternoon (5.3 hours + 3300 feet from TH) and scrambled up to a rocky viewpoint for lunch. Here, the bizarre sandstone textures competed with the canyon views.
Before heading back, I trotted 100 yards down a side trail to check out Camp Spring. Although the spring was barely flowing, it would provide much-needed water for the nearby campsites. We then hustled back down the West Rim Trail in fading light and reached The Grotto right at nightfall (3.2 hours + 300 feet from Camp Spring Junction).
Photo Gallery
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