Hiker dies after falling off Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park

TO A visitor to Zion National Park in southern Utah died Friday after a fall from Angels Landing, a well-known rock formation on the park’s West Rim Trail, prompting a search and recovery effort.

Angels Landing closes after fatal fall

The National Park Service said it received reports of the fall around 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17. In response to recovery operations, officials closed the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, shortly afterward.

On Saturday, authorities confirmed that the individual had died and that the body had been recovered. Additional details have not yet been released, pending notification of the person’s family.

The trail reopened Saturday morning.

Permits and Land

Access to Angels Landing requires a permit. The route is narrow and exposed, with chains installed for support along steep sections where gradients range from approximately 500 to 1,000 feet.

Photo via katie jackson

Deaths at Angels Landing

The last fatal fall on the trail occurred in 2021 when Jason Hartwell, 43, fell from the summit.

Following the implementation of the permit system in 2022, no fatal falls were reported until this year. The permit lottery system was implemented to prevent overcrowding on the narrow trail, which is believed to have contributed to many falls in the past.

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