A visitor died after falling from the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park, according to information reported by Fox 13 News Utah.
The National Park Service said it first received reports of the fall at 2 p.m. Friday. In response, officials immediately closed the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, while search and recovery efforts were underway.
By late Friday afternoon, rangers were still working in the area and directing hikers back down the trail. According to people coming down from the landing, the situation was chaotic, though they said they were not told exactly what had happened and were only instructed to turn around.
On Saturday, the National Park Service confirmed that the visitor had died and that the body had been recovered. Officials said no additional information would be released until the next of kin had been notified.
The affected trails reopened Saturday morning.
Angels Landing is one of the best-known hikes in Zion and also one of the park’s most demanding. The route can only be accessed by permit, and the final section follows a narrow ridge where hikers rely on chains for support. The trail includes steep drop-offs ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet.
The trail has long carried a reputation for danger. According to records cited in the report, well over a dozen people have fallen from Angels Landing since 2000. Of those, 13 died from their injuries.
The incident happened the same day U.S. Sen. John Curtis spoke at an event marking the 100th anniversary of the Zion National Park Lodge. During that event, he said Angels Landing was one of his favorite hikes and said he wished more people could experience it, despite the permit requirement.
Park officials have not yet released the identity of the visitor.
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