angel's landing hike in zion
 

I have been researching the Angel's Landing Hike and read posts that it really isn't as bad as it looks.

I don't think I have a fear of heights. But, I don't like to be in a situation where if I take a bad step, or stumble a bit I could--well--fall a very very long distance. From pictures, the last part of Angels Landing hike looks like that. I'm hoping that this is where everyone will say--"oh no, it's not that bad, it just LOOKS that way".

Comments?

It's good that you don't have a fear of heights, as that IS a factor. I thought I had gotten over my fear of heights by bungee jumping, sky diving, and rock climbing, but Angel's Landing Trail showed me how wrong I was! I chickened out before I even got to the worst of it.

The last segment of the hike is of the "one false step and you die" type. There's an 800 foot drop off on one side of the knife edge trail, and a 1,000 foot drop off on the other. There are chains to hold on to in the worst places, but nonetheless there are occasional fatalities. The Park Service used to report the deaths, but I vaguely recall reading something to the effect that privacy issues might prevent future reports.

One option is to go most of the way, to Scout Lookout. It's an interesting hike even going that far, and at that point you can decide whether to go the last half mile.

Sorry, I forgot to qualify my remarks by noting that the "one false step and you die" criterion is true for lots of hikes - pretty much any place where there's a trail with a drop off on one side. A fifty foot drop is more than enough to kill you. It just seems so much worse at Angel's Landing because of the great heights.

Absolutely go for it, but go slow and be careful and you'll be fine.

Before my family did the Angel's Landing Hike, I'd planned to go most the way up but stay behind at the resting area I'd read about near the end of the hike. I'm in my late 40s, have arthritis in my feet and hips, plus I don't have much arm strength. We got up close to the scary part and I waited with the majority of other hikers while my husband and our teenagers went ahead to the peak. But while watching other folks go forward, I got up my courage and decided to try it. It wasn't nearly as bad as it looked - there were metal spikes and chains to hang on to and decent footings. I did not choose to look down though!

It's worth a try. My husband and I did this hike. I am pretty adventurous, but as we began the last section, fear grabbed me and I could not shake it. I finally scooted on my bottom back down to Scout's Lookout and waited for my husband to complete the hike. It took him a long time and I was worried. He loved it, said it was extremely scary, but feels quite proud of making it all the way. So - it's a personal thing. Give it a try; if you can't make it all the way, it's ok - and a rewarding hike anyway.

If anyone has also hiked up to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite--how does this hike compare to that? I'm guessing that Angel's Landing is possibly a bit scarier, because it is not only steep, but there are dropoffs on either side.

I find it easy to go up steep things--much harder to go down. Do people ever walk down angel's landing backwards?

In my opinion, the Half Dome cable ladder felt far more exposed than any part of Angel's Landing and for a much longer stretch. If you've done Half Dome, Angel's Landing will not be a problem for you.

Here's the thing, we did Half Dome many years ago. I wonder if it would seem scarier now.

I'm just going to bite the bullet and ask a really stupid question. I wonder if anyone ever puts on some kind of mountaineering harness--one that can run along the chain between the poles and be unhooked and rehooked as necessary. Obviously this would probably look ridiculous--but it would take away the worry of actually falling off the ridge. And if you could unhook it, it shouldn't bother other hikers--because you could just undo it when you were about to pass someone (or be passed). Is my idea as stupid as I'm afraid it sounds?

slow and steady and it is ok. i admit that heights do not phase me and i actually never noticed how i could fall, i was concentrating on the trail and my footing. the pay off on this hike is tremendous and you should really consider trying it.

Don't miss this hike--it's amazing! You can hike all but the last 1/4 mile (this is the scary part with the chains) and be fine. You'll have lots of company at that point. Walter's Wiggles is too cool to miss...

I've done it twice and it was easier, and less scary, than I thought it would be. Take your time and enjoy one of the greatest hikes in America!

I've done Angel's Landing on past trips to Zion but the last time (2004), there were just too many people scooting around on the scary part of the trail. They made me way more nervous than the sheer cliff drops on either side!! My husband chickened out and I was glad to pass on it. We headed back down to Scout's Landing and instead picked up the West Rim trail where we had incredible views of Angel's Landing and Zion and didn't see another person. I guess we prefer solitude over excitement.
To answer caligirl56 - if you focus on your hands (on the chains) and your feet (on the trail), you can easily do the final ascent. But many people can't even look at the amazing view below once they get there.