Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After crossing the footbridge over the Virgin River, turn north through a riparian
woodland of cottonwood, box elder, and tamarisk, beneath Angels Landing. The
trail climbs to the mouth of Refrigerator Canyon, around the west side of the
monolith. Grottos and overhangs dot the red sandstone canyon walls.
Right before the head of the canyon, the series of 21 switchbacks built into a cleft
in the wall is regarded as one of the engineering marvels of the park. At the top
of the switchbacks, you begin the gradual ascent to Scout Lookout, the saddle be-
hind Angels Landing, from which you get spectacular views into Zion Canyon.
Here, the West Rim Trail heads off to the left, while the Angels Landing Trail turns
southeast and begins the final brutal climb along the spine of a razorlike ridge.
From this point, many stretches have support chains to hold on to, though there
are no guardrails on Angels Landing itself. The views are stupendous, with the
Virgin River gently bending around three sides at the bottom of the canyon, the
Great White Throne and Red Arch Mountain to the southeast, and the entrance to
the Narrows beyond the Temple of Sinawava to the north. See “Zion Canyon” in
chapter 3.
5.4 miles RT. Difficult. Access: Grotto Picnic Area along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr.
CanyonOverlookTrail
Panoramic vistas are the lure on this self-guided trail that takes
you to an overlook offering a magnificent view of lower Zion Canyon, the East and
West temples, the Towers of the Virgin, and the Streaked Wall. The trail, which
is sometimes slippery because of sand, begins with a series of uneven steps cut
into the sandstone. There are long drop-offs into the narrow chasm of Pine Creek
Canyon. The hike has an elevation gain of 163 feet. See “Zion Canyon” in chapter
3.
1 mile RT. Moderate. Access: Parking area at the east terminus of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.
Court of the Patriarchs
This short, steep, paved trail leads to a viewpoint that
provides vistas of the Streaked Wall and the Sentinel to the south, the Court of
the Patriarchs and Mount Moroni straight ahead (west), the Spearhead and Angels
Landing to the north, and Mountain of the Sun and Twin Brothers above and be-
hind (east). A footbridge crosses the river and connects to the Sand Bench Trail. See
map above.
300 ft. RT. Easy. Access: Court of the Patriarchs parking area along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr.
EmeraldPoolsTrailSystem
★★★
This can be either an easy 1-hour walk, if you just
visit the Lower Pool, or a moderately strenuous 2-hour hike, if you decide to con-
tinue to the other pools. A .6-mile paved path leads from the Emerald Pools park-
