Angels Landing
Zion, UT
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Excellent conditions for a 3-day trip to Angels Landing. Sunny skies, light winds, no fires, and comfortable temps all three days. Go.
73°/44°F · Sunny
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31" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
14h 20m daylight · Sunrise 6:20 AM · Sunset 8:39 PM
Full Briefing
Weather is about as good as it gets for late May in Zion. Sunny today and Saturday with a mostly cloudy Friday in between — no precipitation in the forecast, lows in the mid-40s, and winds staying light at 2–8 mph throughout. The 14+ hours of daylight gives you a ton of flexibility on timing, and the long golden hour window (8–8:39 PM) will be spectacular from the top if you're positioned for it.
Stream flows are non-issue. The Virgin River and surrounding drainages in the Zion corridor aren't directly represented in the gauge data returned, but all five monitored gauges show normal-to-low conditions with stable or falling trends — no upstream snowmelt pulse pushing flows higher. The snowpack data shows 0 inches at Annie Springs (6,021 ft) and McNeil Canyon (1,348 ft), meaning no meaningful melt contribution from local elevations. The 61-inch depth reading at Long Lake (840 ft) with a falling SWE trend appears to be a data artifact or mislocated station — it's not relevant to the Zion area and can be ignored. Bottom line: any water crossings on your route are normal for this time of year.
No active fires within 50 miles, so air quality and trail access are clean. With WNW winds at 3–8 mph through the weekend, even a distant fire wouldn't push smoke into the canyon. Non-factor.
Logistically, the crowds at Angels Landing will be the main variable — permit system should be your checklist item, not conditions. Get an early start to beat midday heat on the exposed chain section; the 73–78°F highs feel warmer in direct sun on that south-facing sandstone. Water sources in Zion Canyon are reliable, but confirm current availability for your specific overnight permit zone with the park. You've got a great three-day window — enjoy it.
Waypoints
Grotto Trailhead
Start from the Grotto picnic area. Take the Zion Canyon shuttle to the Grotto stop.
3,999 ft
Walters Wiggles
21 brutal switchbacks cut into the cliff. The relentless climb before the views.
5,400 ft
Scout Lookout
Many hikers turn around here. Views are already spectacular. Chains begin beyond.
5,600 ft
Angels Landing Summit
Narrow summit fin. 1,488 feet above the canyon floor. Views in all directions.
5,784 ft
Route Details
Distance
5.4 mi
Elevation Gain
1,490 ft
Elevation Loss
1,490 ft
Max Elevation
5,784 ft
Estimated Days
1
Trailhead
Grotto Trailhead
Best Season
Spring and fall best. Summer too hot—start at dawn. Chains icy after rain/snow. Permit required for chains section.
Permit Required
Permit required for the chains section beyond Scout Lookout. Day-before lottery and advance lottery at recreation.gov.
About This Route
Angels Landing is the signature hike of Zion National Park—a vertiginous scramble up chains and rock to a narrow sandstone fin 1,488 feet above the valley floor. The final half-mile to the summit requires hand-over-hand scrambling on chains bolted into the cliff face, with steep drop-offs on both sides. The route climbs relentlessly from the canyon floor, first ascending a paved trail, then ascending Walter's Wiggles—21 short steep switchbacks cut directly into the cliff face—before reaching Scout Lookout. Most hikers stop at Scout Lookout, which offers exceptional views. Beyond Scout Lookout, the chains section is for those comfortable with exposure. People have died on Angels Landing. The falls have been from both the chains section and the summit plateau. Don't attempt in wet or icy conditions. The park service installed a permit system to reduce crowding on the chains section and improve safety. The best times are spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Summer is brutally hot—start at dawn. October-April has the lowest crowds but the chains can be icy after rain or snow.
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