An accumulation of human trash and graffiti necessitates the closing of the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park in Utah on Thursday so crews can clean it up.
Cairns set up along the chained section of the trail, promotional stickers stuck to poles holding the chains, and trash -- water bottles, food wrappers, and other stuff that should have been carried out by those who carried it in -- will be taken care of beginning at noon Thursday. As a result, the Angels Landing Trail will be closed beginning at noon on Thursday at the West Rim Trailhead near the Grotto shuttle stop and won't reopen until Friday morning.
Through hikers on the West Rim Trail will be allowed to pass by Scouts Lookout, but not go out to Angels Landing. The Kayenta Trail will remain open. Hikers already on the trail will have time to exit before the closure. Alternate suggested trail hikes during this closure are to Hidden Canyon or Echo Canyon.
Due to the nature of the trail, its narrow working area and 1,000-foot drop offs, this task requires a multi-divisional team from the park, including rappelling operations from the cliffs, a park release said. Crews also will provide security for visitors from possible falling debris while cleaning is performed.
Angels Landing is an incredibly popular and busy trail for park goers.
“It is our hope that hikers understand and work to improve their trail ethics in order to minimize closures like this – pack out your trash, don’t create graffiti and don’t build rock cairns,” said Therese Picard, Canyon District Ranger.
Comments
Mike, I agree with you. Where do you think we should cut spending to increase spending for the parks?
One good place to start would be by scrapping the F35. They are grounded again for yet another "technical" problem. But Congress had declared that they WILL fly whether the armed forces want them or not -- and whether or not they actually work.
totally agree. peemits for this and even the narrows bottom up should be implemented. it felt like Disneyland rather than a spiritual place that I love!
F35 may not be funding worthy but given our defense spending as a % is at historical lows, I don't see taking the funding from defense ( a Constitutionally enumerated power) as opposed to the entitlements pool.