Scout Lookout – A Zion National Park Favorite Hike

We loaded our canyoneering gear in the car and hit the road with every intention of going down some beautiful canyons in southern Utah. If you know anything about canyoneering, you know that weather plays a crucial role in this sport. If there is chance of rain, it is a no go and we call off the canyon. Rain often equates to flash floods and in a slot canyon, this can mean certain death.

Checking the weather, the forecast had changed. It went from not likely to probable rain. We would not endanger ourselves, our children or our friends so canyoneering was put on hold for the day.

TIP: The weather changes often in Utah so be sure to not only check the weather the night before, but the morning of.

Luckily we had snagged some Zion National Park shuttle passes just in case. This is a new system in place during COVID. You have to get on-line and reserve the shuttle tickets for $1 a piece, print them off or have the bar code available on your device and show them as you enter the shuttle area. This can be done the first part of the month or at 9 am the morning before you want to go. They go quick, so have your account already created and get on right at 9 am for the best shot.

Angel’s Landing was closed so we opted to hike to Scout Lookout which is a viewpoint at the base of Angel’s Landing right before the chain section. The Scout Overlook hike starts off with an easy 1/4 mile or so and then gets steep and stays that way through the first long set of switchbacks. This part of the trail is hot and exposed. Water, water, water. At the top of these switchbacks we turn a corner and enter refrigerator canyon. Any guesses why it is called this? Yes. It felt wonderful. The cooler temperatures were a welcome feeling in the mid-summer heat.

The trail flattens out at this point long enough to let us catch our breath and cool down. Surrounded by towering walls we hike further into the canyon and come upon a sign asking visitors to be quiet as this is a nesting area for some owls. We strain to see the owls without success.

As we round another corner we come upon Walter’s Wiggles. Walter’s Wiggles is a section of really steep switchbacks that wind up towards Scout Overlook. Did I mention they are steep? Rest assured it is a relatively short section and you will be to the top before you know it. Notice the large water drainage system that is in place that prevents this trail from being washed out. We were imagining the strength it must have taken and the difficulty of the task of getting the cement up there to pave this trail. Thank you whoever you are!

Reaching the top of the Wiggles the trail once again flattens out as it rounds another corner to Scout Overlook. The views here are impressive. We pulled out our lunch and ate in possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth. Large birds flying overhead, curious squirrels darting about, towering cliffs that capture our attention and storms moving in make for a wonderful backdrop for our picnic.

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The overlook is located at the top of a huge cliff area so take care and stay safe. This trail has 1,100 feet of elevation gain and is 3.8 miles long. From Scout Overlook one can usually hike Angel’s Landing when it is open or you can choose to hike further along the West Rim trail.