Angel's Landing in Zion National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Utah. Reasons are not lacking this vertiginous route of almost nine kilometers at more than 400 meters of altitude It is an adrenaline rush that many do not want to resist.
Its impressive views become a challenge, even more so in the last part of the trail where the road narrows, especially in the last two kilometers. It is in this part where the hikers must hold on to the chains to reach the top, and it is also here where there are more crowds and you wait for two people cannot pass at the same time.
Since 2004, ten hikers have lost their lives on the trail , the last one a 19-year-old girl in 2019. This is the main reason why it will be implemented orn new permission-based system from April 1, 2022.
In this way, crowds will be avoided, since it must be taken into account that Zion National Park had about 4.5 million visitors in 2019 , according to data from the National Park Service (NPS). Moreover, this figure is expected to increase next year because the pandemic has made it fashionable to visit US national parks.
"Angels Landing is one of the most iconic destinations in Zion National Park and issuing permits will make it fair for everyone to go there," NPS Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a statement.
And he added: " The system we have implemented will reduce the crowding on the way , it will address security concerns and make it easier for visitors to plan their visit in advance."
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The views of Angels Landing, one of the most popular in the United States.
THE PERMITS WILL BE BY DRAW
The operation is simple, it is done through the Recreation.gov website. Each season there will be a kind of online raffle, where last-minute permits can also be purchased.
The first will open on January 3 for permits from April 1 , and you will have to pay six dollars to participate. To get them, you have to be attentive to the web.
The lucky ones who obtain them will have to pay three dollars per person. The fees will be used to support the work of the rangers who will be in charge of monitoring the flow of visitors and controls.
It should be noted that the permit affects the most famous area, that of the chains, but the Scout Lookout part is freely accessible. Also, this part is perfect for those who are afraid of heights and don't want to go up to Angels Landing but do enjoy the views.
Would you like to visit it? If you dare, you will have to take into account that you will need good shoes that cover your ankles, because the route is steep and rocky. The route lasts about four hours and you have to be prepared, especially with water. From NPS they recommend carrying about four liters per day, because although the tour is four hours, you will spend about half a day there. You can plan your visit here.