After signing up for a Zion half marathon with friends, we knew there was no way we'd leave without hiking Angels Landing. It might not be the most popular hike in Zion National Park but it's high up there.

Even though Phil had visited in the past, the hike was closed and it quickly became a white whale situation. Maybe not as life and death as Moby Dick but it was something he wasn't going to miss.

The hike was originally on the docket for immediately after the race since our friends would be with us but in typical Schaub fashion, we made a last-second decision. And boy are we glad we did.

The morning before the race, we headed to a different hike with Angels Landing not even crossing our minds. But the hike we were planning on doing shared the same trailhead.

Not sure who thought of it first but the two of us seemed to look at each other and both know it was time for a change of plans. We had set off so early, barely anyone was around and we knew this hike was too important to put off.

So at the turnoff, we headed to Angels Landing and experienced one of the coolest hikes in Zion or really anywhere!

Angels Landing Trail

If you have never heard of Angels Landing picture red and brown rocks leading up a steep trail that ends in a perfect 360* view of Zion Canyon. If you only have time for one hike in Utah, this is our pick.

Getting to the Trail

To get to the trailhead for Angels Landing you'll make your way to the Grotto and cross over a bridge. Once across the bridge, you'll head right as going left will lead you to the Kayenta Trail.

If you go early enough when the park is less busy you can drive into Zion and park at the Grotto parking lot. Typically this lot is full so a better option is taking the shuttle and getting off at the Grotto stop.

Trail Details

The trail is five miles round trip with about 1500ft of elevation gain. The hike runs along the canyon wall with switchbacks to climb before coming to the beginning of the actual rocky climb to Angels Landing.

Be prepared for a steady, steep uphill incline during most of the beginning but on a paved trail with room for passersby. The last part is narrow and also steep but ends in a beautiful 360* view of Zion Canyon.

The Crazy Parts

The 2nd half of the hike is what we consider the crazy parts. There are several sections with chains for gripping and a slim trail with barely enough room for one person.

Expect times where you might have to step to the side to let someone pass which is tricky because there isn't a lot of areas for you to move to. It gets even crazier when someone is trying to pass going the same direction as you but also in the opposite direction.

If you are afraid of heights, you can still give the hike a try but make sure going in that you know you will be on exposed areas as you climb. There will be times you will be clinging to chains attached to spikes with steep dropdowns to each side of you.

Tips for First Timer's

Avoid Crowds

If there is a hike you don't want to do with heavy traffic it's Angels Landing. Near the end, there are a lot of very narrow parts with chains to hold onto to.

Not to mention, there are steeper "stairs" along the trail. With these tighter areas, having to stop and walk around people is not ideal.

The fewer people on the trail, the easier the hike will be. It also will be less stressful for you and everyone else.

Obviously, you can't avoid people completely, it is a National Park after all, but you can plan ahead and at the very least avoid the more popular times. We suggest not only going during the offseason (winter time) but also going very early in the morning...try for as soon as the sun comes up.

By going in the offseason there is always a chance the trail is closed due to ice or rock slides but this can also happen during the summer. It's just more common in the colder months.

Wear the Right Gear

As with any successful hike, wearing the right gear can make a big difference. You don't need to go all out but make sure to have the staples.

Pack plenty of water and make sure your shoes have some form of grip on the bottom. We wore hiking boots which made a big difference at some icy parts near the top.

It's windy at the summit so even if it's warm at the bottom, you might want some form of a jacket. This way when you get to the top you won't want to rush back down when it's a bit chilly.

It's Not as Scary as You Think

Don't get us wrong this hike is intense but it seems to have almost too much fear accustomed with it. If you are only hesitant because you read too much beforehand and freaked yourself out, take a breath and go for it.

There are scary parts but if you go slow and take your time, it's a very doable hike. Plus the worst parts have chains that give you a bit more security.

Of course, we get the hike might not be for everyone. If you're deathly afraid of height then this is probably not the right fit for you.

At the very least we suggest hiking up to a lookout right before the chains begin. There is a beautiful view of the canyon and the remainder of the Angels Landing Trail.

Check the Weather

Since the hike is exposed for most of the last portion, you'll want to make sure the weather is at least decent. Even a gentle rainstorm can make certain areas very slick.

Check the weather before your trip so you can try to plan out a good time. It might be something as simple as going earlier or just picking a different day.

We were glad we went during the winter but this did increase our chances of bad weather and even possible trail closures. For us, it was a fair trade-off to have fewer crowds but it did make the weather a bigger part of planning.

Our Angel's Landing Hiking Experience

Angel's Landing is our favorite hike in Zion National Park and we are so glad we made it a priority on our trip. It was a different experience from some of our more typical hikes and the view is exceptional.

Since we went in the winter, there were parts at the top where it was very icy so we had to slow down and take the time to be extra careful. When taking pictures we made sure to always be in a safe spot and hold on as much as possible.

There is one thing we would do differently and it was at the beginning. For some reason, we booked it up the first part and we were very out of breath by the time we got to the narrow parts with chains.

If we did the hike again we would take our time with the initial switchbacks. We would also take more time at the top and bring more food for a mini lunch.

Have a Fun Time Hiking Angels Landing

Give Angels Landing a try because even if you don't go to the top, the viewpoint halfway through is still amazing. It can be easy to psyche yourself out so just remember you can always turn around.

Take your time and remember to slow down but most importantly, be safe. You can always reevaluate during the hike to make sure you can (and want to) continue up towards the top.