Trail crews in Zion National Park recently shared video of a loose boulder along Angels Landing. The popular trail is known for crowds and the risks that come with the hike. This video definitely shows why the trail can be dangerous.
Check it out:
Even though this was a controlled removal by park officials, loose rocks can happen anywhere.
In the clip, you see a rock that appears to have a massive crack. Trail crews use a pry bar to loosen the rock further. It tumbles down and explodes into dust below.
Officials with Zion say a hiker first reported the hazardous rock on the Angels Landing Trail. Crews say it tumbled down easily once they removed a large net that had been holding the rock securely. It didn’t take much effort to knock the rock down. You can even hear a ranger in the video say, “That was super easy!”
Officials at Zion closed Angels Landing for the work to be performed to maximize safety for visitors.
“After the boulder was removed and the area stabilized, visitors were able to start hiking once again. In total, the closure only lasted 45 minutes,” said NPS officials in the post. “Thankfully, because the boulder crumbled, there was no major damage to the trail.”
Visiting Angels Landing
Many visitors consider Angels Landing a ‘must-do’ in the park, but others call it the “most dangerous hike in the US.”
The 5.4-mile hike challenges visitors with numerous switchbacks and frequent exposure along the trail. Its reputation for danger comes from the combination of heavy foot traffic and steep ridges. To reach the summit, you need to cross a natural bridge using a chain with a 1,000-foot drop on either side.
If you’re brave enough to attempt the trail, you’ll need to plan ahead. That means you’ll need a permit, and snagging one can be difficult. In fact, the National Park Service uses a lottery system. Learn more about that here.